Russia’s President Putin Authorizes Military Operation in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday authorised a military operation in eastern Ukraine.

The attack is a start of war in Europe over Russia’s demands for an end to NATO’s eastward expansion.

The attack happened shortly after Putin addressed the nation in a special televised address on Russian state TV.

Explosions could be heard in the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv in the wee hours of today morning.

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Gunfire rattled near the capital’s main airport, the Interfax news agency reported.

Explosions could also be heard in the breakaway eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk.

Putin said he had authorised a special military operation in breakaway areas of eastern Ukraine and clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces were only a matter of time.

Moments before the attack, the United States dismissed as Russian propaganda alleged Ukrainian aggression.

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Putin said he had ordered Russian forces to protect the people and demanded Ukrainian forces to retreat.

“All responsibility for bloodshed will be on the conscience of the ruling regime in Ukraine,” Putin said.

He reiterated his position that NATO expansion to include Ukraine was unacceptable hence Russia was left no choice but to protect itself from Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday said that Moscow had approved an offensive and had not responded to an invite for dialogue.

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“Today I initiated a telephone conversation with the President of the Russian Federation. The result was silence,” he said.

U.S. President Joe Biden said his prayers were with the people of Ukraine “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.”

He said he would announce further sanctions on Russia on Thursday, in addition to financial measures imposed this week.