Agency Reporters
Russia unleashed a salvo of missiles on Ukraine this morning, as Putin’s forces launched a long-awaited invasion of the country.
The despot declared a “special military operation” in Ukraine after months of growing tension between the two nations.
Kyiv was rocked by a number of explosions, with dramatic footage showing fire rising from buildings as loud blasts echoed.
Hundreds of casualties have been reported by Ukraine’s interior ministry as the country was placed under martial law.
The invasion began after a televised address at 5.50am from a defiant Putin, who rejected last night’s calls for peace from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Mr Zelenskyy had pleaded to the people of Russia that only they could stop the invasion in an emotional address.
“You are being told that this is a plan to free the people of Ukraine,” he said while speaking in Russian. “But the Ukrainian people are free.”
But speaking at the United Nations today, infuriated Ukrainian ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said: “Russia has declared war.”
The world watched in horror as blasts rocked the capital and the city of Kharkiv this morning, as fears of WW3 intensified.
Reports from Ukraine suggested Russia had targeted the Ukrainian navy, and taken control of Boryspil Airport in Kyiv.
Meanwhile, access to the Black Sea and Azov Sea was cut off.
Boris Johnson said Putin has “chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction” and that Britain and its allies would respond “decisively”.
And US President Joe Biden condemned Putin’s “unprovoked and unjustified attack” on the country.
He said in a statement: “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.”
The president added that there will be “further consequences” imposed on Russia and is to issue an address in the early afternoon tomorrow.
Putin has warned any foreign powers that intervene face “untold consequences”.
Source: THE SUN UK
