Russian President Vladimir Putin early on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, leading to international condemnation of what world leaders called the start of a Russian invasion.
Putin claimed in a televised address that the operation was aimed at protecting eastern Ukraine from what he called a “regime,” continuing the Kremlin’s disinformation campaign.
Russian forces have entered Ukraine and explosions have been heard across the country. Ukraine says Russia has conducted strikes on its military infrastructure.
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Russian stocks plummet amid attack on Ukraine
BY MYCHAEL SCHNELL
Russian stocks crashed Thursday morning after President Vladimir Putin ordered a military operation in Ukraine.
The MOEX index fell by as much as 45 percent Thursday morning, according to CNN. The RTS index, which is measured in dollars, was down 37 percent as of 7:15 a.m. Eastern, according to the network.
The plummet in prices reportedly caused the value of Russia’s largest companies to fall by $70 billion.
The Moscow exchange temporarily halted all trading on Thursday. When it reopened, stocks plummeted.
The value of the ruble also fell to 84 to the dollar, according to CNN, which was a 3 percent decline.
Kremlin falsely claims Ukraine needs to be ‘cleansed of Nazis’
BY LEXI LONAS
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Thursday echoed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s false claim that Ukraine needs to be “cleansed of Nazis” by Moscow’s military.
“Ukraine should ideally be freed, cleansed of Nazis,” Peskov said after Russia attacked Ukraine. “The president explained in the address to Russians, this is all truly dictated by our national interests and dictated by care for the future of our country.”
Russia is claiming the attack is to protect citizens while the international community condemns and has vowed consequences for the invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded with the Russian people before the Wednesday attack, telling them not to believe what they are told about Ukrainians from their government.
“You are told we are Nazis,” Zelensky said. “But can a people support Nazis that gave more than eight million lives for the victory over Nazism? How can I be a Nazi? Tell my grandpa, who went through the whole war in the infantry of the Soviet Army and died as a colonel in independent Ukraine.”
German commander says his army is ‘more or less powerless’
BY JOSEPH CHOI
9:28 a.m.
Lt. Gen. Alfons Mais, chief of the German Army, on Thursday said his forces are “more or less powerless” and would only be able to offer limited support to their allies as countries around the world react to Russia attacking Ukraine.
“In my 41st year of service in peace, I would not have thought I would have had to experience another war,” Mais said in a LinkedIn post. “And the Bundeswehr, the army that I am allowed to lead, is more or less powerless. The options we can offer policymakers to support the Alliance are extremely limited.”
“We all saw it coming and were not able to get through with our arguments, to draw the conclusions from the Crimean annexation and implement them. This does not feel good! I am pissed off!” Mais added.
Though NATO territory has not been directly threatened yet, Mais said Germany’s partners in Eastern Europe were beginning to feel “constantly growing pressure.”
UN refugee agency: Ukrainians starting to flee their homes
BY REBECCA BEITSCH
9:22 a.m.
The United Nations’ refugee agency said Thursday it is seeing Ukrainians begin to flee their homes amid the Russian invasion.
“We have already seen reports of casualties and people starting to flee their homes to seek safety. Civilian lives and civilian infrastructure must be protected and safeguarded at all times, in line with International Humanitarian Law,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said in a statement.
Images of Ukrainian highways near Kyiv shows roadways flooded as people left the capital city following explosions and the movement of Russian tanks from the nearby border with Belarus.
U.S. intelligence agencies previously assessed a Russian invasion could spur anywhere from 1 million to 5 million people to leave their homes.
Such a movement could overwhelm neighboring countries, many of which have historically been averse to accepting refugees.
“UNHCR is also working with governments in neighboring countries, calling on them to keep borders open to those seeking safety and protection. We stand ready to support efforts by all to respond to any situation of forced displacement,” Grande said.
France’s Macron: Russia assault a ‘turning point’ in European history
BY OLAFIMIHAN OSHIN
9:14 a.m.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Russia’s attack on Ukraine is a “turning point” in the history of Europe, The Washington Post reported.
In a televised address on Thursday, Marcon said the invasion “will have lasting and deep consequences on our lives.”
Macron, who was standing in front of a Ukrainian flag, alongside a French and a European Union flag during his address, said France, along with its allies, “will respond without weakness.”
“The sanctions imposed on Russia will be commensurate with the aggression it is guilty of,” he said.
Macron called the move the “most serious damage to peace and stability” the continent has seen in decades.
Biden convenes meeting of National Security Council
BY MORGAN CHALFANT
9:06 a.m.
President Biden convened a meeting of the National Security Council early Thursday after Russia launched a large-scale military attack against Ukraine, according to the White House.
“The President convened a meeting of the National Security Council this morning in the Situation Room to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine,” a White House official said.
The meeting preceded Biden’s planned call with Group of Seven leaders, which was also scheduled to discuss the Ukraine crisis before Russia launched its attack late Wednesday.
Biden is expected to deliver remarks later Thursday laying out further penalties on Russia.
Biden issued a statement late Wednesday after Russia announced plans to launch a military operation against Ukraine, condemning it as an “unprovoked and unjustified attack” and pledging the U.S. and its allies would impose consequences.
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Ukrainian presidential adviser says West ‘must act today’
BY MONIQUE BEALS
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said that the West must respond Thursday with tough sanctions against Russia following Moscow’s attack in Ukraine.
“The main thing now is to focus as much as possible on defending the country and preserving people’s normal lives,” Podolyak told CNN.
“But Ukraine needs more support from the world and is very specific – military-technical and financial support, tough sanctions against Russia. The West must act today.”
Podolyak said that the attack meant “full-fledged large-scale war has begun in Europe.”
“Russia is attacking not just Ukraine, but all the rules of normal life in the modern world. What will be left of the security system on the continent? Zero,” he added.
The U.S. and its allies have already imposed sanctions on Russia as a result of its attack on Ukraine, with more likely.
After Putin ordered a military operation in Ukraine early Thursday morning, President Biden condemned the invasion and voiced solidarity with Ukraine.
Biden is expected to unveil the additional sanctions on Thursday in coordination with European allies after a morning meeting with Group of Seven (G-7) allies.
Leaders from the European Union also said that they would “impose massive and severe consequences on Russia for its actions,” adding that the sanctions would be “designed to take a heavy toll on the Kremlin’s ability to finance war.”
Hungary defense minister says country prepared for Ukraine refugees
BY LEXI LONAS
Hungary’s defense minister said on Wednesday the country is prepared to take Ukrainian refugees after Russia’s invasion.
Defense Minister Tibor Benkő told ATV News the country will open sections of the borders where refugees are fleeing and provide aid when they get to Hungary, Hungary Today reported.
Refugees will be processed and handled differently whether they come to the border armed, sick or wounded.
“We’re not trying to bring them into large refugee camps with everyone being sent to one spot, everyone, in accordance with their situation, must be sent to the most appropriate and best-fitting surroundings,” Benkő said.
Bush calls Russian attack ‘the gravest security crisis on the European continent since World War II’
BY MYCHAEL SCHNELL
Former President George W. Bush sharply condemned Russia’s military operation in Ukraine on Thursday, calling the attack “the gravest security crisis on the European continent since World War II.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a military operation in Ukraine early Thursday morning Moscow time, culminating weeks of speculation that Russia was planning an invasion of Ukraine. Russia in recent weeks amassed up to 190,000 troops along the Ukrainian border, stoking fears in the U.S. and among allies.
Bush, in a statement on Thursday, called the attack an “unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine,” and knocked Putin for launching it, writing that the U.S. “cannot tolerate the authoritarian bullying and danger that Putin poses.”
“The American government and people must stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people as they seek freedom and the right to choose their own future,” Bush wrote.
“Ukraine is our friend and democratic ally and deserves our full support during this most difficult time,” he later added.
UK’s Boris Johnson says ‘our worst fears have now come true’
BY LEXI LONAS
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed his country on Thursday regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Our worst fears have now come true and all our warnings have proved tragically accurate,” Johnson said, noting he has spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“President Putin of Russia has unleashed war in our European continent. He has attacked a friendly country without any provocation and without any credible excuse,” Johnson added. “Diplomatically, politically, economically – and eventually, militarily – this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure.”
Johnson said the U.K. will implement economic sanctions Thursday that will aim to “hobble the Russian economy.”
NATO adding troops in Eastern Europe after Russia attack on Ukraine
BY RACHEL SCULLY
NATO on Thursday said it would take steps to boost deterrence and defense after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a military operation in Ukraine.
The military alliance is putting over 100 warplanes on high alert and increasing its presence in its eastern flank, according to Reuters.
EU says it will ‘hold the Kremlin accountable’ for attack on Ukraine
BY MONIQUE BEALS
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday that the European Union would “hold the Kremlin accountable” for Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
“In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives,” she said on Twitter.
“We will hold the Kremlin accountable,” von der Leyen added in a tweet.
Roads blocked in Kyiv as residents flee
BY RACHEL SCULLY
A massive traffic jam blocked a main road out in Kyiv on Thursday, hampering Ukrainians’ efforts to evacuate the capital as Russia launched attacks against multiple cities in the nation.
Vehicles stretched for dozens of kilometers, Reuters reported. People were seen carrying bags and suitcases as they looked for a way out of Kyiv.
Zelensky: Ukraine cuts diplomatic ties with Russia after invasion
BY MAUREEN BRESLIN
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday announced his country was cutting diplomatic ties with Moscow amid Russia’s military invasion into Ukraine, according to The New York Times.
Zelensky made the announcement as an adviser said that over 40 Ukrainian soldiers had died in the assault and several more had been wounded, notes the Times.
Ukrainian officials say Russian helicopters attacked military airport near capital
BY MONIQUE BEALS
Ukrainian officials said on Thursday that Russian forces attacked Gostomel, a military airport near Kyiv.
The officials added that Ukraine shot down three Russian helicopters in the attack, according to Reuters.
Airlines warned not to fly near Ukraine
BY MAUREEN BRESLIN
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is warning airlines not to fly over or near Ukraine as Russia attacks its neighbor, Reuters reports.
“In particular, there is a risk of both intentional targeting and misidentification of civil aircraft,” EASA warned in a conflict zone bulletin, according to the news service.
“The presence and possible use of a wide range of ground and airborne warfare systems poses a high risk for civil flights operating at all altitudes and flight levels,” EASA added.
-Updated at 9:37 a.m.
