Russia has launched a major attack on Ukraine. Shortly before, President Putin had not only addressed his own people in a TV speech. The dramatic events of the night.
Despite protestations to the contrary, Russia launched a major attack on Ukraine on Thursday morning. Explosions were heard in the capital Kiev, the southern port city of Odessa and other cities in eastern Ukraine, AFP journalists reported. Apparently, Russian troops also attacked from Belarus. The government in Kiev imposed martial law and closed airspace to civilian aircraft. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the “military operation” against Ukraine. In the West, the attack was sharply condemned as a breach of international law.
“I made the decision for a military operation,” Putin said in a television speech on Thursday night. The Russian Defense Ministry later said that the targets of the attacks in Ukraine were “the military infrastructure, air defense facilities, military airfields and the air force of the Ukrainian armed forces”. According to the Russian UN ambassador Wassili Nebensia, however, action should also be taken against the government in Kiev, which he called the “junta”.
Ukraine declares martial law
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi declared martial law. His Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke on Twitter of a “large-scale invasion”. “This is a war of aggression,” Kuleba wrote on Twitter. The world “can and must stop Putin. It’s time to act now,” he said. “Ukraine will defend itself and win.” Russia’s goal is the “destruction of the Ukrainian state” and an “occupation” of Ukrainian territory, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
A major Russian attack on Ukraine had been feared for weeks. Explosions were heard in the port city of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov, in the Black Sea city of Odessa, in the country’s second largest city, Kharkiv, as well as in Kramatorsk and on the front line to the eastern Ukrainian separatist areas.
Artillery fire probably also from Belarus
According to residents of Mariupol, which is close to the front line and the border with Russia, artillery fire could be heard in the eastern suburbs of the city. The Ukrainian border guard also reports “artillery” attacks from Belarus, where Russian troops have been stationed for weeks.
Previously, in his speech, Putin had repeated his allegation of an alleged “genocide” by Ukrainian troops against the Russian-speaking population in the east of the country and referred to the separatists’ request for help in eastern Ukraine from the Kremlin on Wednesday evening. “We will strive to achieve demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine,” Putin said, announcing “to bring to justice those who have committed numerous crimes responsible for the bloodshed of civilians, including Russian citizens.” . Kiev and its Western partners have repeatedly dismissed the “genocide” charge as absurd and a pretext for an attack on Ukraine.
Putin appeals to Ukrainian military
“We have no plans to occupy Ukrainian territory, we have no plans to force anything on anyone,” Putin said. He called on the Ukrainian military to “lay down their arms.” He assured that they could then “leave the battlefield unhindered”.
While Putin was speaking, the UN Security Council was holding an emergency session on the Ukraine crisis in New York. UN Secretary-General António Guterres had previously urged Putin not to attack Ukraine. “President Putin, stop your troops.” He stressed: “Give peace a chance, too many people have already died.”
“The world will hold Russia accountable”
The US government sharply criticized Putin. US President Joe Biden said he had “decided to wage a deliberate war that would result in catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.” The United States and its allies and partners would “act united and decisively,” he promised. “The world will hold Russia accountable.” The White House announced a phone call between Biden and his Ukrainian colleague Zelenskyy.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) also condemned the Russian attack “in the strongest terms”. This was “a blatant breach of international law” and “cannot be justified by anything,” he explained. “Russia must stop this military action immediately,” demanded the chancellor and announced close coordination within the G7, NATO and the EU for Thursday. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke of a “ruthless and unprovoked attack” by Russia.
Air space over Ukraine closed
Shortly after midnight (local time), Ukraine closed its airspace “because of the high security risk”. According to Russian media reports, flights from the airports of major cities in southern Russia near Ukraine were canceled on Thursday.
News of the fighting also caused turbulence in the markets. Oil prices rose above $100 for the first time in more than seven years. Stock prices in Hong Kong plummeted. The Moscow stock exchange suspended trading.
Source: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
