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Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) launched an invasion of Ukraine early on the morning of the 24th (local time).
President Putin declared a special operation in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine at 5:50 a.m. local time, arguing that the threat from Ukraine is “unacceptable” in the form of an emergency speech. Putin’s declaration of the start of the war came right following an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Putin emphasized that the military action is a measure to protect the residents of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, a region occupied by pro-Russian rebels. Although he drew a line saying, “There are no plans to occupy Ukraine,” Russia’s missile attacks continued in various places, including the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.
U.S. President Joe Biden has condemned Russia’s military operation as an unjustified invasion and said that it would immediately impose harsh sanctions along with its allies.
Explosions to the capital Kiev
According to foreign media reports, Russia limited the operation to a military operation in eastern Ukraine, but attacks were also carried out in major Ukrainian cities. Immediately following Putin’s announcement, explosions were heard throughout Ukraine, including the capital Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa and Verdansk.
In this regard, the Ministry of Defense of Russia said, “We are attacking Ukraine’s military infrastructure using high-precision weapons. “The Russian military does not launch missile attacks or bombardment once morest Ukrainian cities,” he said.
The Ukrainian government also announced that “Russia is conducting an attack on our military infrastructure.”
CNN reported that Russian troops as well as eastern Ukraine launched an attack across the Belarusian border to the north. The Ukrainian government immediately declared martial law and asked the UN and the international community for maximum help.
US to announce full sanctions
US President Joe Biden has described Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “an attack without a justifiable reason” and has announced a decisive response. “President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will result in fatal loss and suffering,” Biden said in a statement.
He said the entire international community, including allies and partners, would collectively impose harsh sanctions on Russia and hold them accountable. President Biden discussed issues with the leaders of the G7 on the 24th and decided to impose full sanctions on Russia.
On the 24th, the United States decided to submit a resolution to the Security Council to hold Russia accountable for the incident.
Ahn Hye-won, reporter at Hankyung.com [email protected]