At this hour, every major city in Ukraine is under attack as Russian missiles and bombs targets in Kharkiv, Odesa, and Kyiv. Putin has delivered a pre-recorded message on Russian state media declaring his attention to “demilitarize” Ukraine with a “special military operation.”
Many Ukrainian government websites have been taken down in a series of cyberattacks, as have some news organizations and media outlets. Russia has issued a statement warning that civilian aircraft are not permitted to fly from, or over, Ukraine.
The simple translation is that Russia is now engaged in all-out war with Ukraine in an attempt to subdue the nation and bring it under Russian control.
Putin’s speech is filled with threats of retribution for anyone who gets in the way of this assault. In the speech, Putin claims that both the people of Crimea and Donbas decided to “return to their historic motherland”—even though both Crimea and Donbas voted to leave Russia in the only actual election held on the topic. Now Putin is extending the same claim to all of Ukraine.
The UN Security Council is now meeting in emergency session, and President Biden has issued a statement:
Biden: “The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight.”
Thursday, Feb 24, 2022 · 5:16:21 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
President Biden has issued another statement after speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“President Zelenskyy reached out to me tonight and we just finished speaking. I condemned this unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. I briefed him on the steps we are taking to rally international condemnation, including tonight at the United Nations Security Council. He asked me to call on the leaders of the world to speak out clearly against President Putin’s flagrant aggression, and to stand with the people of Ukraine. Tomorrow, I will be meeting with the Leaders of the G7, and the United States and our Allies and partners will be imposing severe sanctions on Russia. We will continue to provide support and assistance to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.”
Thursday, Feb 24, 2022 · 5:32:52 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
At this point:
- Russian assault forces are reportedly occupying part or all of the Kyiv airport.
- An amphibious warfare group has reportedly landed near Odesa.
- Belarus soldiers have joined Russian forces in crossing the border from the north.
- Tanks have entered Ukraine in at least two oblasts.
- Bombing and shelling continues at airports across the nation.
Excerpt from Biden’s statement:
“The prayers of the entire 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. 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 that he will meet with G7 leaders on Thursday to announce the consequences for “this needless act of aggression.”
