Moscow February 23 2022: Russian President Vladimir Putin announces a “military operation” in Ukraine’s Donbas region and urges Ukrainian soldiers in eastern Ukraine to lay down weapons and return to their homes.
In his televised address to the Russian people on Thursday morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country has “no plans” to occupy Ukraine.
In his remarks announcing a “special military operation”, Putin said that the Ukrainian people would be able “to choose freely” who runs the country.
US President Joe Biden vows that the world will hold Russia accountable
Biden will address Americans on Thursday about the consequences he says Russia will face
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said an invasion “could be the beginning of a big war on the European continent”
In a late-night address to the nation, he vowed “we will defend ourselves” if Russia did attack
Ukraine entered a month-long state of emergency at midnight on Thursday local time (22:00 GMT)
Two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine earlier asked Russia for help to repel what they called aggression by Ukrainian forces, the Kremlin says
The UK has announced it will be providing greater military support to Ukraine, in the form of defensive weapons and non-lethal aid
Western countries and their allies have imposed sanctions on Russian banks and MPs, as the crisis escalates
