Russian forces invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on Thursday, making it the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War Two. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine, with explosions heard soon after across the country and its foreign minister warning that a “full-scale invasion” was under way.
Ukraine reported columns of troops pouring across its borders into the eastern regions, and landing by sea at the port cities of Odessa and Mariupol in the south.
Explosions could be heard before dawn in the capital city of Kyiv. Gunfire rattled out near the main airport and sirens blared across the city.
Ukraine’s President Volodymur Zelenskiy said Vladimir Putin’s aim was to destroy his state.
“Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter. “This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.” He added.
Putin, who denied for months that he was planning an invasion, has called Ukraine an artificial creation carved from Russia by its enemies. Ukrainians have referred to the claims shocking and false.
Biden immediately warned of “consequences” for Russia and that there would be a “catastrophic loss of life and human suffering”. He added that his prayers were with the people of Ukraine “as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces”.