Russia Ukraine Envision
Russia launched an attack on Ukraine from multiple flanks. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke of a “large-scale war against Ukraine”.
Russia Ukraine Envision War started officially last night. Explosions were reported from several locations. President Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law. Shortly before that, Russian President Vladimir Putin had officially ordered a foreign deployment of the Russian military in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
“I have decided to conduct a special military operation,” Putin said in a televised address this morning. “Their goal is to protect people who have been subjected to abuse and genocide for the past eight years.” NATO assumed an invasion was underway. Explosions were reported from several locations.
According to Putin, Russia does not plan to occupy Ukrainian territory. However, they want to demilitarize and “denazify” Ukraine. Russia will not allow nuclear weapons to appear in Ukraine, Putin said. By ordering a deployment in the breakaway regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, he was responding to a written request from the heads of the so-called People’s Republics for assistance against Ukrainian “aggression,” the Interfax agency reported, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Kiev: Seven soldiers killed
According to Ukrainian sources, at least seven soldiers were killed and 15 others injured as a result of Russian airstrikes. In addition, 19 soldiers are missing, according to the Interior Ministry in Kiev. A bridge over the Inhulez River in southern Ukraine was destroyed.
EU wants to stop Russia’s access to the financial market
According to Commission President von der Leyen, the new planned EU sanctions against Russia will stop Russian banks from accessing the European financial markets. In addition, Russian assets in the EU are to be frozen and important sectors of the Russian economy are to be denied access to key technologies and markets.
Turkey to close Bosphorus for Russian ships
Ukraine is asking Turkey to close the Bosphorus and Dardanelles to Russian ships. This was announced by the Ambassador of Ukraine in Ankara Vasyl Bodnar. The Dardanelles connect the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara and via the subsequent Bosphorus with the Black Sea. An important shipping route runs across the two straits.
Turkey is a NATO member and has a maritime border in the Black Sea with the neighboring countries of Ukraine and Russia. Under a 1936 treaty, Turkey has control of the strait and can restrict the passage of warships during war or in the event of a threat.
Separatist chief believes in quick victory
The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk “People’s Republic” announced that there would be no long fighting. Denis Pushilin says on Russian state television: “The liberation movement will end fairly quickly.” The military operation is in full swing. “I can say that this will end very soon.” The region’s towns and villages would “be liberated in the near future,” he claims.
Lukashenko: Belarusian troops not involved
According to head of state Alexander Lukashenko, troops from Belarus, which is an ally of Russia, are not involved in the Russian military operation against neighboring Ukraine, according to the Belta news agency. In Belarus, Russia has concentrated troops on the border with Ukraine and held military maneuvers there.
China calls for restraint
After Russian attack on Ukraine, China calls on all parties to exercise restraint. “China is monitoring the current situation very closely,” said a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry in Beijing at a press conference. “We call on all parties to exercise restraint and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.”
Moldova wants to declare a state of emergency
Moldova plans to declare a state of emergency. President Maia Sandu announced that they are also ready to take in tens of thousands of people from neighboring Ukraine. “We will help the people who need our help and support.”
According to Moldovan media, queues of cars are already forming at the border. Moldova borders Ukraine to the east and south and NATO member Romania to the west.
GB: Airlines should avoid Ukrainian airspace
The British government is calling on airlines to avoid the country’s airspace. “Following the terrible events of the night, I have instructed the Aviation Authority to ensure that airlines avoid Ukrainian airspace to ensure the safety of passengers and crews,” UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter.
