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It’s War: Russia Launches Full-Scale Offensive Against Ukraine
Russia launched a full-scale offensive against Ukraine Wednesday night, bringing both countries into the throes of war.
President Vladimir Putin announced he ordered a special military operation to protect separatists demanding independence from Ukraine. Accounts reported explosions in the capital city of Kyiv and Kharkiv.
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Looks Like It’s War: Russia Launches Full-Scale Offensive
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, a government spokesperson said that Russian cruise and ballistic missile strikes are underway that are targeting control centers in Kyiv.
Consequently, the Ukrainian government declared a state of national emergency and called up military reservists aged 18 to 60.
Lawmakers approved giving additional power to authorities to secure areas outside of Donetsk and Luhansk. This is according to Ukraine's national security chief Oleksiy Danilov.
Russia’s full-scale operation took place two days after Russia officially recognized the independence of two breakaway areas that form Ukraine’s Donbas region.
Putin vowed to protect the People's Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. As an opening salvo, the Russian president ordered troops to enter the breakaway region and conduct “peacekeeping functions.”
US: Full-scale Offensive A Clear Attack On Ukraine’s Sovereignty
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russia’s recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk is the pretext for the invasion of Ukraine.
He said that this is “a clear attack on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity”. However, Ukrainians have long expected this moment to happen. They know that this is one of the possible conclusions to the eight-year war in Donbas.
President Joe Biden confirmed that he had already spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They both agreed that Russia’s full-scale offensive was an “unjustified attack” on Ukraine.
Biden said he briefed Zelensky on the next steps the West will take to gather support for Ukraine. This includes convening the United Nations Security Council. Biden ended his statement assuring that the US ‘ continue to provide support and assistance to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.”
Putin: Russia Has No Plans To Occupy Ukraine
Meanwhile, Putin appeared on state television and said there are no plans for Russia to occupy Ukraine. Instead, he said that Russia decided to protect Donbas.
He also urged Ukrainian forces to lay down their arms. He warned that “entire course of events, information analysis shows clashes between Russia, nationalistic forces in Ukraine are inevitable and a matter of time.”
Putin said that the full-scale offensive’s objective was to demilitarize Ukraine. He vowed to immediately respond to any external threat should it appear.
Even as NATO leadership is supporting neo-Nazis in Ukraine, Russia has no plans to occupy the country. In fact, “Russia does not have a single opportunity other than to defend itself, it will use it. Russia's policy is based on freedom, this right should be enjoyed by everyone, including residents of Ukraine.”
Russian Military Operation In Accordance with UN Charter
In addition, Putin said that Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine is in accordance with Article 51, Part 7 of the UN Charter. It also has the sanction of the Federation Council and falls under the mutual assistance treaties with Donetsk and Luhansk.
“Crimeans made their choice, our actions are self-defense against threats being created, I call for interaction,” he said.
The Russian president also warned citizens of NATO interference. “NATO's war machine is moving, approaching Russia's borders closely,” he said.
He added that for 30 years, Russia negotiated for NATO's non-expansion to the east. However, they “faced deceit and attempts of blackmail”.
The Western group has “an impudent manner of speaking from a position of its own exclusivity”. As a result, he vowed to retaliate against any form of Western interference. “Politics is a dirty business but NATO's actions are contrary to morality.”
Watch the LiveNOW from Fox video reporting explosions in Ukraine as Russia invades:
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