On Thursday, Russia started a broad offensive against Ukraine, striking cities and bases with airstrikes and shelling as citizens poured into trains and cars to flee. Ukraine’s government claimed Russian tanks and troops crossed the border accusing Moscow of launching a “full-scale war” that threatens to change the world’s geopolitical order and has already sent shockwaves around the world.
Russian President Vladimir Putin avoided worldwide censure and additional sanctions by referring chillingly to his country’s nuclear arsenal as he threatened any foreign country attempting to interfere with “consequences you have never seen” in announcing a big military operation.
The administration stated the former Soviet republic was facing a long-anticipated invasion from the east, north, and south, and that more than 40 soldiers had been killed and scores wounded. Sirens rang out in Ukraine’s capital, and people gathered in train stations and flocked to the roadways.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a Ukrainian presidential adviser, declared, “A full-scale war in Europe has begun.” “Russia is attacking not only Ukraine but also the basic rules of modern life.”
World leaders condemned the attempt, which they said might result in a large number of dead, topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government, upend the post-Cold War security system, and have catastrophic economic consequences worldwide, ranging from skyrocketing heating expenses to food price rises.
“We awoke in a different world today,” Germany’s foreign minister said as NATO decided to build up the land and air forces on its eastern frontier, which includes Ukraine and Russia.
After weeks of failed diplomatic efforts, global financial markets plummeted and oil prices surged, as countries from the United States to Asia and Europe prepared new sanctions Global powers, on the other hand, have stated that they will not act militarily to defend Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine severed diplomatic ties with Russia and imposed martial law. Even though officials stated Russian troops were rolling into Ukraine and massive explosions were heard in the capital of Kyiv, Kharkiv in the east, and Odesa in the west, Ukrainians were told to stay home and not panic.
“We are in the midst of a war and terror.”Could it get any worse?” Liudmila Gireyeva, 64, told reporters in Kyiv. She intended to travel to Lviv, Ukraine, and then attempt to join her daughter in Poland. “History will judge Putin, and Ukrainians are damning him,” he said.
Putin justified his actions in an overnight television address, claiming that the attack was necessary to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine – a false assertion that the US had anticipated he would make as a pretext for an invasion. He accused the US and its allies of neglecting Russia’s demands for security assurances and preventing Ukraine from joining NATO. He stated that Russia does not seek to occupy Ukraine, but rather will work to “demilitarize” the country and bring criminals to justice.
The strikes started in the air. Later, Ukrainian officials reported ground invasions in several locations, and border guards published security camera footage on Thursday showing a line of Russian military vehicles entering into Ukrainian government-controlled territory from Russian-annexed Crimea.
In a few of hours, the Russian military claimed to have destroyed Ukraine’s entire air defenses, prompting European officials to declare the country’s airspace an active war zone. Russia’s allegations, as well as Ukrainian claims that they shot down multiple Russian planes, could not be verified immediately. Ukraine’s air defense system and air force are Soviet-era relics that pale in comparison to Russia’s vast air force and precision weapons.
President Joe Biden of the United States promised new penalties against Russia for the “unprovoked and unjustified strike.” After a summit of the Group of Seven leaders on Thursday, the president indicated he planned to talk to Americans. It was believed that more penalties against Russia will be issued.
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign minister called the assault a “full-scale invasion” and warned his country will “fight itself and prevail.” Putin can and must be stopped by the rest of the world. “Now is the moment to act.”
Mayor Vitaly Klitschko of the capital asked citizens to stay at home unless they are doing crucial work and to prepare go-bags with essentials and documents in case they need to flee.
In Mariupol, reporters heard explosions and witnessed hundreds of people with suitcases leaving the city in their cars. In Kyiv, another reporter witnessed the aftermath of an explosion. Another damage was discovered by the reporter in other parts of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy urged world leaders to support Ukraine with defense and to safeguard its airspace from the “aggressor.”
The Russian Defense Ministry said that it was not targeting cities, but rather precision weapons and that there was “no concern to civilians.”
The Russian military had launched missile strikes against Ukrainian military command centers, air bases, and military depots in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro, according to Anton Gerashchenko, an assistant to Ukraine’s interior minister, who posted on Facebook.
The conflict’s ramifications, as well as the sanctions imposed on Russia, began to reverberate around the world.
Stock markets around the world have plummeted, and oil prices have risen by roughly $6 per barrel. In Europe and Asia, market benchmarks plummeted, and U.S. futures were substantially down. On Thursday, Brent crude oil soared beyond $100 per barrel, owing to concerns about Russian supply disruptions. The ruble dropped in value.
Putin offered a strong warning to other countries not to intervene, anticipating worldwide censure and countermeasures.
“No one should have any doubts that a direct attack on our nation will result in the annihilation and dreadful consequences for any possible aggressor,” Putin said, reiterating Russia’s nuclear power.
Putin’s declaration came just hours after Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych dismissed Moscow’s assertions that his country is a security threat and made an emotional, last-minute plea for peace.
“The people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian government want peace,” Zelenskyy stated in an emotional nocturnal speech to Russian citizens, speaking in Russian. “However, if we are attacked, if we are threatened with losing our nation, our freedom, our lives, or the lives of our children, we will defend ourselves.” You will see our faces, not our backs when you assault us.”
Zelenskyy said he requested a call with Putin late Wednesday but received no response from the Kremlin.
“This action could mark the start of a huge conflict on the European continent,” Zelensky said, referring to Putin’s decision to sanction the deployment of Russian military forces in eastern Ukraine to “keep the peace.”
“Any provocation, any spark,” he added, “may start a fire that will destroy everything.”
The attack began as the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting to prevent an invasion. Members who had not yet heard of Putin’s operation urged him to halt it. Just before the announcement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed Putin, saying, “Give peace a chance.”
President Charles Michel of the European Council and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission afterward agreed to hold the Kremlin accountable.
“Our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men, and children who are facing this unjustified onslaught and fear for their lives,” they wrote on Twitter.
