Apparently, Putin decided to invade Ukraine after all.
According to Sputnik News, Putin ordered a military operation in the Donbass, the breakaway eastern region of Ukraine.
Putin has directed Russian forces to conduct a special operation in the Donbass region, according to February 24 remarks from the Russian president.
The Associated Press framed it as military operations in Ukraine, with no reference to the Donbass.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen.”
CNN reporters in Kyiv, which is not in the Donbass, are describing explosions near the city, indicating the Ukrainian capital is under attack.
I will be monitoring the situation from the White House this evening and will continue to get regular updates from my national security team. Tomorrow, I will meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning and then speak to the American people to announce the further consequences the United States and our Allies and partners will impose on Russia for this needless act of aggression against Ukraine and global peace and security.
Meanwhile, an unconfirmed report on Zero Hedge indicates Russian forces have seized an airport near Kyiv.
Let's hope there will not be a mushroom cloud over us all! This is absolutely insane. Two nuclear powers going at each other with a third waiting in the wings! Has the world gone mad?
Let's hope there will not be a mushroom cloud over us all! This is absolutely insane. Two nuclear powers going at each other with a third waiting in the wings! Has the world gone mad?