Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the west of 'great consequences' if it interferes in the invasion of Ukraine.
The tide has radically turned in the east: Putin's announcement of a 'special military operation' has amounted to a 'full-scale invasion', with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba describing it as a 'war of aggression'.
It comes after Putin deployed 'peacekeeping' troops to rebel-held, so-called people's republics in Ukraine, which many world leaders believed to be a pretext for war. While the president insisted he was open to a diplomatic solution, deadly warfare is already ensuing between the two nations.
In a bid to justify the attack, Putin claimed, 'A hostile anti-Russia is being created on our historic lands.
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'We have taken the decision to conduct a special military operation... we do not intend to occupy Ukraine,' he said, citing the need for the 'demilitarisation and denazification' of Ukraine, linked to a conspiracy theory claiming Kyiv's government to be controlled by the far-right.
'To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside: if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history. All relevant decisions have been taken. I hope you hear me,' Putin added.
Air raid sirens have been blaring across Kyiv, according to local reports, with Russia carrying out attacks on Ukrainian military infrastructure and airbases, reportedly killing hundreds of service members. Meanwhile, explosions have rocked Kharkiv, Kramatorsk and Mariupol. As per BBC News, Russia's attacks are coming from every direction across Ukraine.
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Following Putin's announcement, US President Joe Biden released a written statement, reading, '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.'
US Senator Mark Warner, the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said it was time to 'up the pain level' on Russia and called on lawmakers from both sides to 'demonstrate to Putin that this aggression will not be allowed to go unpunished'.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was 'appalled' by Russia's 'unprovoked attack' and Putin choosing 'a path of bloodshed and destruction', and vowed the UK will 'respond decisively', with the PM set to chair an emergency government Cobra meeting this morning.
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Topics: Russia, World News, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, Boris Johnson
