Russia invades Ukraine | Why is Russia attacking Ukraine?;- How did the invasion start and what has happened so far?
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation against Ukraine. There were explosions all over the country, and Ukraine’s foreign ministry warned of a “full-scale invasion”.
What are our current facts about the invasion?
The build-up to the war
Putin had gathered between 150,000 to 200,000 troops along the border of Ukraine, despite weeks of intense diplomacy and Western sanctions.
Russia demanded an end NATO’s eastward expansion, and claimed that Ukraine membership in the US-led Atlantic military coalition was unacceptable.
Since Monday, when Putin recognized two separatist regions and ordered the deployment (he called peacekeepers) of what he called “peacekeepers”, a move that the West called the invasion.
As a result, the West and Japan have placed sanctions against Russian banks and individuals.
The separatists appealed to Moscow Wednesday for assistance in stopping the alleged Ukrainian aggression. This was dismissed by the United States as Russian propaganda.
As Russia appeared to be preparing to attack Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zeleskyy of Ukraine made an emotional address to the nation , stating that war would be “a huge disaster”. He said, “If they attempt to take our country away, our freedoms, our lives, and the lives of our kids, we will defend ourselves.”
Putin stated that he authorized military action to defend Russia against threats from Ukraine on Thursday morning.
Russia invades Ukraine
According to the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Russia has launched missile strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure and border guards. There have been explosions in several cities. A government official reported that cyberattacks were ongoing.
Zelenskyy stated that martial law was declared.
Ukrainian media reported that missiles struck military command centers in Kyiv, Kharkiv (northeast), and that Russian troops had landed at Odesa and Mariupol in southern ports.
Russian troops attacked Ukraine from Belarus, as well as Russia with Belarusian assistance, according to Ukraine’s border service. An attack was also being launched using annexed Crimea.
Russia’s defense ministry claimed that it had destroyed the military infrastructure of Ukrainian airbases and degraded their air defenses.
Ukraine has closed its airspace for civilian flights, citing a high safety risk. Russia suspended domestic flights at airports close to its border with Ukraine up to March 2.
According to the RIA news agency, separatists from the east that are supported by Russia claimed they had captured two cities.
What have you seen?
The invasion was quickly condemned.
US President Joe Biden has ruled out US troops in Ukraine. He said that Putin had preplanned a war that would cause “catastrophic losses of life and human suffering.” He promised to speak with G7 leaders and that Russia would be held accountable.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg denounced Russia’s “reckless, unprovoked attack” stating that NATO allies would meet to address the consequences.
Antonio Guterres, UN chief, urged Russia to “in the name and humanity” to end what could have been “the worst war since 1900 with devastating consequences for Ukraine and tragic consequences for the Russian Federation. We cannot even imagine the impact it will have on our country.”
Josep Borrell, the European Union’s chief of foreign policy, stated that Russia is now facing “unprecedented isolation” after its attack on Ukraine. He will also be subject to the EU’s “harshest sanctions” ever imposed.