Defying global warnings, Russia invades Ukraine

KABUL (Pajhwok): Following President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a special military operation, Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday.

The assault on major Ukrainian cities comes in defiance of warnings from world leaders that it could trigger the biggest war in Europe since 1945.

“Within minutes of Putin’s short televised address, at about 5am Ukrainian time, explosions were heard near major Ukrainian cities, including the capital,” the Guardian reported.

In Kiev, the interior ministry announced Ukraine was under attack from cruise and ballistic missiles. Infrastructure was apparently targeted near Kiev, Kharkiv, Mariupol and Dnipro.

Explosions from artillery rockets were heard as shelling began near Mariupol. An interior ministry advisor suggested Russian forces could soon move on Kharkiv, about 20 miles from the border.

Air raid sirens sounded over Kiev, Ukraine’s capital, with residents of Kharkiv seeking refuge in the city’s metro.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba was quoted as saying: “Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes.”

While denouncing Russian aggression, the minister vowed Ukraine would defend itself. “The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”

For his part, Putin said they had decided to conduct a special military operation. He added the operation was “demilitarisation and denazification” of Ukraine.

Russia did not want to occupy Ukraine, he insisted, warning of unprecedented consequences for those interfering in Ukraine.

As the invasion began, Russia was chairing an emergency session of the UN Security Council. by Russia holds the rotating presidency.

UN Secretary General António Guterres pleaded wth the Russian leader: “President Putin – stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance. Too many people have already died.”

US President Joe Biden said: “The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces.”

In a statement, he alleged: “President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.”

British Premier Boris Johnson said: “I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps.”

He accused Putin of choosing a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching the unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and its allies would respond decisively, he vowed.

Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU Commission, wrote: “We will hold the Kremlin accountable.”

Russian state media reported that airborne troops had captured the airport in Boryspil near Ukraine’s capital.

The Russian military claimed that all of Ukraine’s aviation bases were disabled in the barrage of missiles.

High-precision weapons were disabling the military infrastructure, air defence facilities, military airfields and aviation of the Ukrainian army, the Russian Defence Ministry said.

PAN Monitor/mud