After months of tension, Russia launches a multipronged attack on Ukraine after failed diplomacy to resolve the crisis. Russian forces have launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine as President Vladimir Putin demanded Kyiv’s army lay down its weapons. Meanwhile the Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia is attacking his country’s “military infrastructure” and border guards. In a brief televised address to his nation, he called for martial law and pledged victory. “The war is a big disaster, and this disaster has a high price,” said President Volodymyr.
Putin recognizes two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk, as independent entities and then orders Russian troops to “maintain peace” there. Putin’s announcement paves the way for Russia to openly send troops and weapons to the long-running conflict pitting Ukrainian forces against Moscow-backed rebels. US sees the move as an invasion and Biden has announced “first tranche” of economic sanctions against Russia, including steps to starve the country of financing. EU has joined US and imposed sanctions on 351 members of Russian State Duma including defense minister and military chief of Russia. None of which could deter the catastrophic turn of events. Meanwhile Putin said that, “whoever would try to stop us and further create threats to our country, to our people, should know that Russia’s response will be immediate and lead you to such consequences that you have never faced in your history. We are ready for any outcome.”
The military aggression is widely being condemned by global leaders and UN. Call for de-escalation on humanitarian grounds is being made by UN Secretary General Antonio Gutters. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent NATO summit in wake of events.
According to reports, 40 soldiers and 10 civilians are killed so far in Ukraine. However, the Russian military says it has only targeted Ukrainian military assets. Meanwhile the Ukraine military says about 50 Russian forces have been killed and shot down six Russian planes.
The Ukrainian and Russian airspaces have closed and flights are taking Europe’s airspace. Countries like India and Israel call for safe evacuation of their citizens from Ukraine.
Catastrophic events are unfolding at an unprecedented rate and condemnation calls along with de-escalation through diplomacy are being made globally.
Aalima Qadri
