40 killed as Russia attacks Ukraine, invites widespread condemnation
Kiev/UNI/IBNS: Air raid sirens wailed across Ukraine's capital Kiev Thursday as explosions boomed and flashed in cities across the country after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized military action against its western neighbour. Around 40 people are reported to have been killed so far.
President Putin announced the military action early in the morning, after weeks of tense buildup, and attracted widespread condemnation from leaders across the world.
Residents and communities across the country were gripped with "severe panic" as Russia on Thursday launched what Ukraine said was a "full-scale attack" against its neighbour, with cities bombarded from the air and forces fighting on the ground.
US President Joe Biden said that he would meet with allies to impose "severe sanctions" on Moscow.
President Zelenskyy reached out to me tonight and we just finished speaking. I condemned this unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. I briefed him on the steps we are taking to rally international condemnation, including tonight at the UN Security Council.
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 24, 2022
Earlier this morning, President Biden convened a meeting of the National Security Council in the White House Situation Room to discuss the unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/QcZ5N2fcAa
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 24, 2022
The Russian military claimed to have wiped out Ukraine's entire air defences in a matter of hours. Ukrainians fled some cities and European authorities declared Ukrainian air space an active conflict zone.
Russia's attack on Ukraine Thursday ranked among the “darkest hours for Europe” in nearly 80 years, according to the European Union's foreign policy chief.
You're told it'll liberate Ukrainians,but Ukrainians are free. You're told we're Nazis,but how can people who sacrificed over 8mn lives for victory over Nazism, support Nazis?You're told Ukraine's a threat to Russia, it wasn't in past,it's not now,&it won't be later: Ukraine Pres pic.twitter.com/v1uWkg4uId
— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022
Earlier, in an address to the nation, Zelenskyy said he will not give its freedom and sovereignty to Russia.
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