NB BUREAU
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine asking Ukrainian soldiers to lay down the arms “I have made the decision of a military operation,” he said in a televised address, news agency AFP reported.
With Ukraine on edge in the midst of invasion fears, Kremlin earlier said that rebel leaders sought support against what was described as “aggression from the Ukrainian Armed Forces”. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, stressed that he tried to reach out to Putin, warning that Kremlin could “start a major war in Europe”
Russia’s Putin has said the “responsibility of any bloodshed will be on the conscience of Ukrainian regime.”” Our plans (of special military operation) in Ukraine do not include occupying Ukrainian territory. We will aim at demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine,” he was quoted as saying in reports. Military command centres in the capital city of Kyiv and another city Kharkiv have been attacked by missile strikes, Reuters reported, citing local media.
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Causality Reported:
Ukraine said that at least seven people were killed and nine wounded by Russian shelling, as per a Reuters report. The AFP, meanwhile reported that Ukraine said it killed ‘around 50 Russian occupiers’
India looking for alternative arrangements for the evacuation of its citizens:
As Ukraine closed its airspace amid escalating tensions with Russia, India Thursday said alternative arrangements are being made to evacuate Indian nationals from Ukraine.
In an advisory, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv said the schedule of special flights were cancelled as Ukrainian airspace has been closed. “Alternative arrangements are being made for the evacuation of Indian nationals. Embassy will convey information as soon as such arrangements are finalized, so that Indian nationals can relocate to the western part of the country. Please carry your passports and necessary documents on your person at all times,” the embassy said in the advisory.
Ukraine’s President calls on citizens to fight
Ukraine Zelenskyy has called on all citizens who are ready to defend the country from Russian forces to come forward, saying Kyiv would issue weapons to everyone who wants them, reports Al Jazeera.
Ukraine FM: Putin has Launched Full Scale Invasion
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.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 24, 2022
US President Biden: World Will Hold Russia Accountable
US President Joe Biden has responded to what he calls an “unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces”.
He says “the prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine”.
“President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” he says.
“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 says he will address Americans on Thursday about the consequences Russia will face.
He says he will be monitoring the situation from the White House and will meet with G7 leaders in the morning before announcing “further consequences” for Russia.
Biden says there will be a “strong, united response” from Nato allies that deters any aggression against its members.
“Tonight, Jill and I are praying for the brave and proud people of Ukraine,” he says.
The prayers of the 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. https://t.co/Q7eUJ0CG3k
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 24, 2022
