Russia has promised “greater consequences than ever seen” for any country that interferes in its invasion of Ukraine.
United States President Joe Biden has condemned the full-blown military invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.
In the early hours of Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a “special military operation” into Ukrainian territory, targeting military bases in an attempt to demilitarise the nation.
Local media reported explosions were heard near major cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa and Kramtorsk.
Ukrainian foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, who confirmed the attack, said “Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”
He added that “Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”
U.S. President Biden who spoke over the phone to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, condemned the “unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces.”
Mr Biden said the Ukrainian president asked him to seek support from other world leaders against Putin’s aggression.
“He asked me to call on the leaders of the world to speak out clearly against President Putin’s flagrant aggression, and to stand with the people of Ukraine.” tweeted the American president.
Mr Biden who stood in solidarity with Ukraine stressed he would reach out to allies to impose stiffer sanctions on Russia.
“Tomorrow, I will be meeting with the Leaders of the G7, and the United States and our Allies and partners will be imposing severe sanctions on Russia,” Mr Biden added.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio raised alarm over Russia’s attempt to take over Ukrainian Airport in Kyiv. “Russia’s airborne forces are attempting to take control of the airport in #Kyiv to… fly in forces to occupy the city,” Mr Rubio tweeted.
He added that “An amphibious assault on the key port city of #Mariupol is now underway Ground forces now moving in from Belarus, Crimea & from #Russia.”
Meanwhile, the Russian president has warned third parties from meddling in the crisis.
“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,” Mr Putin warned.
In a bid to justify the attacks, Mr Putin claimed
“A hostile anti-Russia is being created on our historic lands,” adding that “We have taken the decision to conduct a special military operation.”
United Nations secretary-general, António Guterres, has made a passionate plea to Mr Putin to stop the attack on Ukraine.
“President Putin, stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance. Too many people have already died,” pleaded Mr Guterres in an emergency session of the UN security council.
He continued his plea saying “In the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia.
“In the name of humanity, do not allow a war to start in Europe which could be the worst war since the beginning of the century with consequences not only devastating for Ukraine, not only tragic for the Russian Federation but with an impact we cannot even foresee.”
