In an early morning televised address to the people of Russia, President Vladimir Putin has announced a military operation in Ukraine.
As reported by CNN, Putin announced that the "special military operation" is aimed at the "demilitarisation and denazification" of Ukraine. The statement refers to the Kremlin's claims that Ukraine’s military is being run by neo-Nazis and poses a threat to Russia.
He added that the main goal of the operation is to protect those who have "suffered from abuse and genocide from the Kyiv regime".
The address was broadcast on Russian national television on Thursday morning, and saw Putin urge Ukrainian forces to lay down their weapons and go home.
"Our plans are not to occupy Ukraine, we do not plan to impose ourselves on anyone," Putin said. He added that "those who may be tempted to intervene" will face consequences, and that any possible bloodshed will be down to the Ukrainian government.
Putin said:
"Whoever tries to interfere with us, and even more so to create threats to our country, to our people, should know that Russia's response will be immediate and will lead you to such consequences as you have never experienced in your history."
Per the New York Times and various other news outlets, "large explosions" have been heard and seen in Ukraine, in places such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa. CNN adds that the office of Ukraine President Zelensky has released images showing large explosions to the east of the capital Kyiv, with billowing columns of smoke erupting into the air.
President Zelensky has responded to Russia's "operation" by saying: "If we are attacked militarily, if they try to take away our freedom, our lives, our children's lives, we will defend ourselves."
"When you attack, you will see our faces and not our spines, our faces," Zelensky added.
BBC News has reported this morning that Ukrainian police had announced that seven people have died as a result of Russian forces bombing a military unit in Podilsk.
President Joe Biden has issued a statement in response to Russia's invasion, saying: "President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering."
"Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable," Biden added.
BBC News adds that EU leaders have also condemned the "operation", with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying that he is "appalled" by the "unprovoked attack", adding that the United Kingdom would "respond decisively".
Additionally, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has stated that Russia's actions are "unjustified and unjustifiable".
