Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin has done the unbelievable.
On Thursday morning, he unleashed Russia’s military might on Ukraine in a full-scale war, with missiles and airstrikes, invading tanks forces, paratrooper, and naval landings.
As of Thursday morning local time, shortly after midnight EST, Ukraine’s major cities were bombarded; there were explosions all over the country in the biggest war in Europe since World War II.
Russians Attacking from Everywhere, Belarus Joins Them
The Russian troops invaded from the east and northeast, targeting the city of Kharkiv from the Donbas region, the Crimean Peninsula in the south, from the Black Sea at the port city of Odesa in the southwest, and, most notably, from Belarus in the north.
Two hours into Russia’s bloody, unjustified, and totally unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine’s Interior Ministry announced hundreds of Ukrainians have been killed.
At the same time, the country’s military announced its air defenses shot down five Russian military planes and an attack helicopter in the eastern part of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian border guard said its border posts right to the north of Kyiv had been attacked from the territory of Belarus, where Russian autocrat Putin sent some 30,000 troops for “military exercises”.
Horrifyingly enough, the all-out Russian attack on Ukraine was unleashed with the simultaneous airing of a video statement by the Russian autocrat packed full of outright lies.
Russia has effectively started an unprovoked war on Ukraine as several explosions have been reported across the country in the last hour.
This is not the time for jokes. Thousands of lives will be lost.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ukraine and it’s people. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ZjGmvbNhLY
— ModernWarzone (@ModernWarzone) February 24, 2022
To Ukrainians around the globe:
Putin attacked, but no one is running away. Army, diplomats, everyone is working. Ukraine fights. Ukraine will defend itself. Ukraine will win.
Share the truth about Putin’s invasion in your countries and call on governments to act immediately.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 24, 2022
Ukraine Ambassador gets the last word tonight before the Security Council adjourns, directly addressing the Russian ambassador: “there is no purgatory for war criminals. They go straight to hell.” Whew!
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) February 24, 2022
This is a brutal invasion of a PEACEFUL country. Ukraine, its cities, and its civilians are under attack. Ukraine has done nothing wrong. Remember this, no matter the Russian or any other propaganda. This is a war against innocent people.
— Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon (@ksvarnon) February 24, 2022
‘We Will Defeat Anyone’
A spokesman of the Ukrainian government announced Ukraine is being attacked not only by Russia, but also by troops belonging to its northern neighbor, Belarus.
The active participation of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko in the invasion hadn’t been widely expected.
According to the announcement of the Ukrainian government, both Russian and Belarusian forces attacked Ukraine’s northern border, starting at about 5 am on Thursday.
The announcement said Putin’s invasion is unfolding all over the map by ground forces. The spokesman also informed that Ukrainian authorities registered the work of Russian “sabotage and reconnaissance groups”.
It added that the Ukrainian military, National Guard, and border guards are returning fire against the Russian invaders, “depending on the situation” at the border.
Shortly after Russia attacked its democratic, pro-Western neighbor from all possible sides, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video message. He called upon Ukrainians to be strong and said he’d just spoken on the phone with US President Joe Biden.
He stated “the army is working”, and the Ukrainians must not panic because “we are ready for anything.” “We will defeat anyone,” Zelensky declared.
Statements coming from Joe Biden, as well as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and all Western leaders, denouncing Putin and Russia’s vicious attack against Ukraine have been pouring out from around the globe.
Biden and Johnson promised to support Ukrainians and hold Putin accountable for igniting war.
Our basement in Kyiv now filling up with families with small children. The kids are holding colouring books. Heartbreaking
— Luke Harding (@lukeharding1968) February 24, 2022
•Russian Airstrikes and Bombings occurring across #Ukraine
•Possible amphibious landings near Odessa
•Heavy Gunfire being reported
•First reports of Ukrainian casualties starting to flow in
The 21st century’s Cold War just got hotter and we are once again on the brink 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/FYMBQ2RTCB
— Ethan Agnew (@AgnewNi) February 24, 2022
The world must act immediately. Future of Europe & the world is at stake. To do list:
1. Devastating sanctions on Russia NOW, including SWIFT
2. Fully isolate Russia by all means, in all formats
3. Weapons, equipment for Ukraine
4. Financial assistance
5. Humanitarian assistance— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 24, 2022
Ukraine’s U.N. ambassador directly addressed his Russian counterpart at conclusion of U.N. Security Council meeting: “There is no purgatory for war criminals. They go straight to hell, Ambassador.” https://t.co/iqOY0jHTUu pic.twitter.com/sybeINLSJj
— ABC News (@ABC) February 24, 2022