On Wednesday night, Russian President Vladimir Putin made good on his threats and invaded Ukraine, prompting whispers that World War III may have just begun.
Top News Today
In an impassioned address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Putin has declared the start of a “special military operation” by initiating an unprovoked invasion of his country. He immediately declared marshall law and asked all citizens to “keep calm.”
“Dear Ukrainian citizens, this morning President Putin announced a special military operation in Donbas. Russia conducted strikes on our military infrastructure and our border guards. There were blasts heard in many cities of Ukraine. We’re introducing martial law on the whole territory of our country. A minute ago I had a conversation with President Biden. The US have already started uniting international support. Today each of you should keep calm. Stay at home if you can. We are working. The army is working. The whole sector of defense and security is working.
“No panic. We are strong. We are ready for everything. We will win over everybody because we are Ukraine.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine
Soon thereafter, air raid sirens and bomb blasts were heard in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa, and other cities across the country. As of this writing, at least 100 casualties have been reported.
For his part, Putin called on Ukrainian soldiers to immediately lay down their arms and surrender to him.
“I have taken the decision to carry out a special military operation,” he said in a statement. “Its goal will be to defend people who for eight years are suffering persecution and genocide by the Kyiv regime. For this, we will aim for demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, as well as taking to court those who carried out multiple bloody crimes against civilians, including citizens of the Russian Federation.
“Anyone who tries to interfere with us, or even more so, to create threats for our country and our people, must know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead you to such consequences as you have never before experienced in your history,” Putin continued. “We are ready for any turn of events.”
President Biden spoke with President Zelensky late Wednesday night and promised to speak to the American people directly on Thursday. However, he issued this statement in advance of his Thursday press conference:
“The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. 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. I will be monitoring the situation from the White House this evening and will continue to get regular updates from my national security team. Tomorrow, I will meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning and then speak to the American people to announce the further consequences the United States and our Allies and partners will impose on Russia for this needless act of aggression against Ukraine and global peace and security. We will also coordinate with our NATO Allies to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the Alliance. Tonight, Jill and I are praying for the brave and proud people of Ukraine.”
The world has since begun to respond to the Ukraine invasion by issuing sanctions against Putin and Russia.
South Korea’s foreign ministry said his country will impose sanctions including export controls.
The United States, the European Union, Britain, Australia, Canada, and Japan announced plans to target banks and wealthy individuals.
German chancellor Olaf Scholz has put on hold permission for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany to open.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced sanctions against five Russian banks and three wealthy Russian businessmen and threatened further moves.
Additionally, the world is watching to see if the United States eventually sends ground troops into Ukraine, if other countries will follow Russia’s lead and invade nations of interest, and if this conflict has the possibility of turning nuclear (World War III). They are also monitoring if Belarus has joined Russia in the invasion — which would mean Ukraine is now under attack from 2 rogue nations.
Stay tuned…
OK WASSUP! discusses the Top News Today:
Russia invades Ukraine.
I think Putin misjudged this entire thing. Trump did tremendous damage to NATO and I would posit that Putin thought the alliance was so damaged, so weak that there was no way Biden could build it back up again. Putin thought there would be little-to-no real consequences to invading Ukraine. After all, he called America and NATO’s bluff when he took Crimea and paid no real price. But this time Putin got it wrong! Under Biden’s leadership NATO is more unified than ever and they “AIN’T” about to make the mistake they made with Crimea. Still, having said all that, this IS going to get ugly. My heart goes out to ALL the innocent civilians in Ukraine who will pay the biggest price for Putin’s madness. BUT if…IF Putin goes there (launches a nuclear war) then it’s all over for all of Us, including Russia! So I pray he’s not… Read more »