Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a special military operation in Ukraine’s Donbass region in the early morning hours of Thursday.
He ordered that the Ukrainian military put down its weapons and return home.
In a special address broadcast in a special telecast on Russian State TV, Putin said Russia is faced with the choice of having to defend itself from threats coming from modern Ukraine.
Putin also issued an appeal to the Ukrainian military.
“I recommend that you lay down your weapons immediately and return home. All members belonging to that Ukrainian army who comply with this request can freely quit the battlefield and return home to the homes of their family members.”
The extent and scope of the Russian militaristic operation in Ukraine are not yet clear.
The Reuters reporter from Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, heard explosions like shells fired from artillery at a distance shortly after Putin was finished speaking.
Putin stated that Russia would respond immediately if any foreign force attempted to interfere. He also said that Moscow would try to stop militarization and de-Nazify Ukraine.
“Russia does not feel secure to develop or exist in
A constant threat emanating from the present-day territory of Ukraine,” said Putin.
His remarks come as that the United States said Russia had deployed nearly 150,000 troops close to the border of Ukraine.
Russian-backed separatists pleaded with him to provide military assistance against what they believed was increasing Ukrainian violence.
However, Kyiv denies any assault.
“All accountability for the bloodshed lies in the hands of Ukraine’s administration of Ukraine,” Putin told the state TV.
“No person should ever doubt that a direct assault against our nation will cause a loss and severe consequences for any aggressor.”
Eric is a professional news editor, writer, and blogger for the last 10 years. He is working with NewsGater as an off-beat news editor cum writer.