Russia-Ukraine war.
~Preet
After threats of economic penalties from the United States and its allies failed to discourage him, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his long-anticipated invasion of Ukraine, sparking one of Europe's biggest security crises since World War II.
In a televised speech that coincided with the operation's start around dawn, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to "demilitarise" the neighbouring country of more than 40 million people, denigrated the Ukrainian leadership, and said the assault was directed at those he claims have taken Ukraine "hostage."
At the same time, a barrage of missiles, artillery, and air assaults poured down on Ukraine, while Russian soldiers advanced from positions in Belarus onto Kyiv, the country's capital city. Ukraine's border guard said that it was being attacked from five different directions, and that Russian tank convoys were entering the country. Hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the initial hours of conflict, according to the country's military. Photos showed traffic congestion as people tried to leave Kyiv, as well as large lineups outside bus stops, petrol stations, and ATMs.
Despite a major force buildup and months of warnings from Western politicians and security agencies that Putin was planning an invasion, the assault sent shockwaves across global markets. Oil prices have risen past $105 per barrel, while natural gas prices in Europe have increased by more than 41%. Prices for gold, aluminium, copper, nickel, and food all increased. Russia's currency fell to a historic low, and its stock market fell by up to 45 percent, wiping away more than $250 billion in value in one fell swoop.
The pricing interruptions, which occurred against the backdrop of a worldwide inflationary increase, caused European finance ministers and central bank governors to reschedule their meeting in Paris on Friday. Following the announcement of the change in plans, the French ministry stated that authorities will consider the economic ramifications of the conflict, particularly the impact on oil prices.
In his televised address, Putin stated that Russia had no intention of "occupying" Ukraine and that the move was legitimate since the United States and its allies had violated Russia's "red line" by expanding the NATO alliance along Russia's borders. Putin has stockpiled up to 190,000 troops, including war units, near Ukraine in recent months, despite the Kremlin's repeated denials of an invasion.
Putin made it plain in a speech replete with unsubstantiated charges that Moscow is targeting what he referred to as "the Kyiv government." He urged Ukrainian forces to lay down their guns and return home, but threatened to bring those responsible for "many deadly crimes against civilians" to trial, a reference to the present leadership. He referred to the leadership as a "junta, the people's opponent devouring Ukraine."
According to a senior legislator from the governing party, Russia's goal is to ensure that a new administration in Ukraine is favourable to Moscow and free of US influence.
According to a US defence officer who briefed media, the opening wave of Russia's strike on Ukraine included 75 heavy and medium aircraft and more than 100 missiles of various sorts. According to the source, it looks to be intended to grab important populated regions, notably Kharkiv, with the objective of decapitating Ukraine's leadership.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared in a televised briefing from Kyiv that the country would not give up its independence and has severed diplomatic ties with Russia. Oleksiy Arestovych, his spokesperson, stated that the government would provide guns to anybody willing to protect Ukrainian land.
On Thursday, US President Joe Biden spoke via phone with his Group of Seven colleagues about the issue, and he will also attend a news conference. The European Union's leaders are scheduled to meet in person the next day, with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stating that "large and targeted measures" are being prepared.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization said it was deploying extra land and air forces, as well as more naval assets, to member nations bordering Ukraine to strengthen defence and deterrence. Meanwhile, China has refused to denounce Russia's actions, instead urging caution from "all parties" and repeated charges that the US is to blame for "hyping" the risk of conflict in eastern Europe.
According to the Ukrainian border guard agency, security camera footage revealed a line of Russian military trucks crossing into Ukraine from Crimea. Columns of Russian tanks were alleged to have invaded the Luhansk region, while attackers attempted to take Ukraine's Zmiinyi island in the Black Sea, around 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Odessa, and called on Ukrainian forces to surrender.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said the strikes were targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure and didn’t pose a threat to the population, state-run Tass reported.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has held several calls with Putin and visited Moscow in an attempt to ease the tensions over Ukraine, denounced the attacks as “a blatant violation of international law.”
"This is a bad day for Ukraine and a bad day for Europe," he remarked.
Biden stated that he will address the American people to announce more sanctions on Moscow. The United States and its European allies issued an initial wave of sanctions this week after Putin recognised two separatist areas of eastern Ukraine, allowing him to launch military action.
"President Putin has chosen a planned conflict that will result in devastating casualties and human misery," Biden said in a statement. "Russia is solely responsible for the death and devastation caused by this assault, and the Unified States, its Allies, and partners will respond in a united and decisive manner."
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