“I have made the decision of a military operation “Russian President Vladimir Putin made a statement at about 0300 GMT (0600 IST). He asked the Ukrainian Forces to “lay down its arms” and will be permitted to leave safe from the conflict area. Warning the other countries about dire consequences, President Putin asked all countries to stay away from the scene and will not tolerate any attempt to interfere with his action. He further stated that his intention is to demilitarize Ukraine and protect civilians.
Immediately after the announcement of the War against Ukraine, Russia has launched a “Full-scale invasion of Ukraine” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Reports are coming about Russian Forces are started landing operations of the Black Sea Fleet in the Sea of Azov and the western port of Odesa. It has been reported that Russian Forces are firing missiles at various cities in Ukraine and smoke and explosion sounds are heard. Gun Battle and heavy movement of troops along with Belarus Forces are also reported.
US President Joe Biden condemned Russia’s decision to attack Ukraine as “unprovoked and unjustified” and reportedly he is going to address the Country on Thursday about the consequences for Russia. He further stated that “President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering”.
UN Security Council will hold its third emergency meeting in a row this week Thursday at 0230 hrs GMT as requested by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. This has been prompted due to “appeal by the Russian occupation administrations in Donetsk and Luhansk to Russia with a request to provide them with military assistance, which a further escalation of the security situation” Kuleba tweeted.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had an unsuccessful telephonic call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to alleviate the situation. Ukrainian Parliament has imposed an Emergency in the Country from Wednesday midnight just after Russia has recognized the existence of two separate regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. The leaders of these Russians backed separatists have requested Moscow for military intervention in the region to protect them from Ukrainian aggression.
Reaction from UN
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres while condemning Russia for the heavy deployment of Russian troops in eastern Ukraine as “peacekeepers” stated that “when troops of one country enter the territory of another country without its consent, they are not impartial peacekeepers; they are not peacekeepers at all”. Describing the present crisis as the biggest security challenge against global peace, the UN chief has called for an immediate de-escalation.
The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday stated in the UN General Assembly that the world is “facing a moment of peril”. He further warned that in case of Russian invasion there will be a devastating global impact. In the General Assembly Session, he called Putin’s decision to recognize the separatist-controlled region as independent states is a gross violation of the “territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine”.
Evacuation of diplomats from Ukraine
On Wednesday, Russia began the evacuation of its diplomats from the embassy in Kyiv. The embassy and the Consulate in Odesa were surrounded by the Ukrainian Police and the Ukrainian flag came down. Reportedly, the staff of the embassy had burnt documents of their office before leaving the country.
Action by Zelenskyy
Considering the intensity of the situation about 2,00,000 Russian Troops are on the Ukrainian Border awaiting orders for the invasion and warnings of the US, UK and NATO have proven accurate, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree to call up the reservists of Ukraine’s armed forces. Orders have also been issued prohibiting Foreigners’ access to border areas amid fears of the invasion. Meanwhile, there are reports about possible cyberattacks targeting Air Traffic and increased risk levels to “ do not fly” in Ukrainian air space.
Putin’s Plan
Since 2014 Donetsk and Luhansk region are in the headlines as Russian supported separatists declared independence from Ukraine. Millions of people have left these areas and taken safety in Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of people fled to Russia and reportedly 25% of the people of these areas are the holders of Russian Passport. Russia has taken the plea of protecting these people from Ukraine and the whole story highlights aftermath of Russia’s planning and policy for the last 8 years.
Sanctions imposed against Russia
The US, the EU, Japan and the UK have imposed various sanctions on Russia, both economic and financial to raise sovereign debt on the international market and select Russian peoples. Germany has halted certification of the Nord Stream 2 of Russia – Germany not yet operational pipeline project through the Baltic Sea to meet the requirement Gas by Germany. The 11 Billion US$ project was completed during September and awaiting certification for making it operational.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is pushing for more severe sanctions against Russia to mount pressure on Putin. On Wednesday, the US is ready to cut Russia off “ from Western technology that’s critical to advancing the military, cut him off from Western financial resources that will be critical for feeding his economy and also to enriching himself” tweeted US deputy treasury Secretary.
