It seems the latest moves involving the crisis in Ukraine, are now in motion.
Wednesday night, in a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country’s troops were involved in an operation in eastern Ukraine. This is primarily the separatist held areas in the Donbas region.
Putin went on to say “Our plans are not to occupy Ukraine, we do not plan to impose ourselves on anyone.”
Explosions have been heard in several cities in Ukraine, including the capital of Kyiv.
US President Joe Biden was quick to condemn the Russian action.
“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”, according to a statement released by the White House.
Russia does not want its former bread basket province to join NATO, which would mean a potential enemy on it own borders. Putin is calling for the de-militarization of the entire eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian leadership have said that at least 40 people were killed as they say the country have been killed as they country face attacks from the north, east and south.
Border officials from the Ukraine have released footage of what they have believed that Russian military vehicles moving inside within the country, which were followed by explosions in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and in Odesa.
Russian military have claimed they have wiped out the Ukraine’s entire air defence within hours, but that report has not been verified.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared marital law and has cut diplomatic ties with Russia, stating that Russia has targeted Ukraine’s military infrastructure. Zelenskyy has asked global leaders to provide defence assistance and to help protect its airspace.
NATO has called on Russia to withdraw their forces from the Ukraine , NATO also announced that they deploy more air, land, maritime assets to the eastern flank of the alliance.
NATO says they will be holding a virtual summit tomorrow.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has joined other global leaders in condemning Russia’s actions and is calling on Putin to withdraw military forces from the country.
Trudeau added that Russia’s actions would be met with severe consequences.