Despite warnings from world leaders, Russia military forces, early Thursday launched a mammoth attack on Ukraine.
The attack came shortly after the Russian president, Vladimir Putin declared a “special military operation’ in Ukraine. Putin who spoke during a press conference televised early Thursday said the country is launching the special military operation because “a hostile anti-Russia is being created on our historic lands.”
According to him, it was for the “demilitarisation and denazification” of Ukraine.
“To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside: if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history. All relevant decisions have been taken. I hope you hear me,” he added.
Within minutes of Putin’s short televised address, explosions were heard near major Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv.
According to reports, Russia appeared to be targeting military infrastructure in early strikes with explosions reported at airfields, military headquarters and military warehouses in major cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, among others.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has also confirmed the attack on his official Twitter account.
He tweeted, “Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”
Reacting also, President Joe Biden in a statement condemned the attack, saying the world will hold Russia accountable for the deaths and destruction that will be recorded from the attack.
“The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable,” Biden said in the statement.
