Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation announcing the start of a special military operation in the Donbass. The appeal came out in broadcast federal television around 06:00 on February 24.
The head of state referred to requests for military assistance from the heads of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DNR and LNR). “In this regard, in accordance with Article 51, Part 7 of the UN Charter, with the sanction of the Federation Council and in pursuance of the treaties of friendship and mutual assistance with the DPR and LPR ratified by the Federal Assembly, I have decided to conduct a special military operation,” the president said. .
The purpose of the operation
During the special operation, the Russian authorities “will strive for the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine,” the head of state said. The purpose of what is happening, according to him, is to protect people who are subjected to bullying and genocide. In addition, Moscow will prosecute those who have committed crimes against civilians and Russian citizens in Ukraine, Putin promised.
The President also noted that Russia cannot feel safe coexisting with the threats that exist in modern Ukraine: as an example, he recalled the statements of the Ukrainian authorities about the possibility of returning nuclear weapons and again pointed to the advancement of NATO forces to Russian borders.
Russian President urges Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms
Putin assured that all servicemen of the Ukrainian army who fulfilled this requirement would be able to leave the combat zone and return to their families. At the same time, the president did not specify the extent to which military operations would be conducted.
Whoever tries to prevent us, and even more so, to create threats for our country and people, should know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead you to such consequences that you have never faced in your history
The head of state added that the Russian authorities are ready for any development of events and have taken all the necessary decisions. “I hope I will be heard,” Putin stressed.
What is happening in Ukraine
After 06:00 Moscow time, messages about explosions in Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa, Mariupol and other Ukrainian cities began to appear massively on social networks. An unnamed spokesman for the Ukrainian Interior Ministry claims that military command posts in Kiev and Kharkiv were hit by missiles, while the mayor of Boryspil said that the explosions near the Kiev airport of the same name were air defense strikes against unidentified unmanned aerial vehicles. Passengers and staff are being evacuated from the airport itself, all flights have been canceled, and the airspace over the country is urgently closed.
Many reports have not yet been confirmed.
What do they say in the West
US President Joe Biden said that the world “will call Russia to account” and announced his appeal to the Americans in connection with what is happening. UN Secretary-General António Guterres threatened that in the event of a war in Ukraine, the consequences for Russia would be significant. In turn, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya stressed that these events cannot be called a war, as this is a special military operation, and noted that the responsibility for what is happening lies with the Kiev authorities.
Recognition of the independence of the DNR and LNR
On Monday, February 21, Putin signed a decree recognizing the DPR and LPR as independent states, he explained this by Ukraine’s refusal to comply with the Minsk agreements. The day before, members of the Russian Security Council in full force advised the head of state to make such a decision. Western countries condemned Moscow’s actions – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the suspension of the certification of Nord Stream 2, and Biden banned US citizens from investing and financing the republics of Donbass, as well as trading with them. He also threatened to impose sanctions on any economic activity in the region.
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