MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin early Thursday announced aspecial military operation in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region in a move hesaid aimed to protect civilians that didn’t include plans to occupyRussia’s smaller neighbor.
Reports in international media said Russian forces rendered unusableUkrainian navy and captured Boryspil Airport in Kyiv.
In a televised address, the Russian President urged Ukrainian soldiers tosurrender and return to their homes saying Moscow did not plan to occupyUkraine.
Putin’s statement came after the Kremlin said rebel leaders in easternUkraine urged Moscow for military help against Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine leaders called on the international community sayingRussia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian ForeignMinister Dmytro Kuleba said “Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes.This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. Theworld can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”
Amid the full special military operation, explosions were heard in severalUkrainian cities.
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United States President Joe Biden also reacted to the invasion. He said theWest would respond in a united and decisive way to an unprovoked andunjustified attack by Russian military forces on Ukraine.
Biden lamenting at situation said “Putin has chosen a premeditated war thatwill bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. The world willhold Russia accountable.” Biden will address the nation at noon onThursday, and on Wednesday night he condemned Russia’s ‘unprovoked andunjustified attack.’
Moscow entered Ukraine days after recognizing the self-proclaimed people’srepublics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.
