Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a ‘military operation’ in the Donbas region of Ukraine. Putin called on the Ukrainian military to lay down arms, announcing a “military operation” in Ukraine. He made the announcement during a televised address after the UN Security Council urged him to be patient on the Ukraine issue.
Earlier, Ukraine’s parliament backed a bill to impose emergency in the country from February 24 amid ongoing tensions with Russia. Explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital Kiev and several other cities shortly after Putin’s announcement.
A CBS journalist reporting live from Kiev said during a live telecast that he had heard five loud explosions. In the middle of his report he heard the sound of a fighter jet from above. He paused for a moment and said it looked like a fighter jet.
Putin said – no plan to occupy Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised message to the country on Thursday morning that Russia has no plans to annex Ukraine. In his statement announcing a special military operation, Putin said the people of Ukraine would be able to choose who runs their country. During his address, Russian President Putin asked Ukrainian troops to surrender.
President Vladimir Putin said, “Our plans (of a special military operation) in Ukraine do not include the occupation of Ukrainian territory.” He continued, “Anyone who tries to interfere with us or pose a threat to our people should know that Russia’s response will be immediate and lead you to the same consequences as your own.” Never experienced this before in history.”
Putin told soldiers stationed in eastern Ukraine to lay down their weapons and go back to their homes. He warned Ukraine that if this does not happen, it will be responsible for all the blood that will be shed. The Russian President said in his address that justice and truth are on Russia’s side.
America’s warning
He directly warned America that if anyone takes action against Russia, then Moscow will not delay in reacting to it. The Russian President also said that this action is self-defense. An explosion has been heard in Kiev after Putin announced a ‘military operation’ in Ukraine.
The BBC said that we are hearing reports of some unconfirmed explosions in other parts of Ukraine. There was a loud explosion in the capital Kiev, as well as in Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region. But there have also been reports of explosions on social media in Kharki, Ukraine in the northeast, Odessa in the south and the eastern Donetsk Oblast region.
Ukrainian soldiers urged to lay down arms
Reports also said Putin has urged Ukrainian troops in eastern Ukraine to lay down their arms and return to their homes. Russia’s representative to the UN said that the special operations announced by President Vladimir Putin are to protect the people of Ukraine, who have been suffering for years. Our goal is to free Ukraine from genocide.
US President Joe Biden said that Russia alone is responsible for the deaths and destruction caused by this attack. The United States and its allies will respond in a united and decisive manner. The world will hold Russia accountable for this.
Biden said that I will monitor the situation from the White House this evening and receive regular updates from our national security team. Tomorrow, I will meet my G7 counterparts in the morning… We will coordinate with our NATO allies.
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