After weeks of Russia denying western claims that they were planning an invasion of Ukraine, Russia has launched a full scale military invasion. In the early hours of February 24, 2022, with nearly 200 thousand troops staged near Ukraine, the Russian armed forces launched attacks against Ukraine from multiple fronts including from Crimea, Ukraine-Russian borders and Belarus. The attacks came just minutes after a televised statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing the start of military operations.
In his statement Putin asserts that Russia’s “goal is to protect the people that are subjected to abuse, and genocide from the Kiev regime for eight years, and to this end we will seek to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine and put to justice those that committed numerous bloody crimes against peaceful people, including Russian nationals”. Putin’s stated goals cannot be achieved by a limited operation and will require a full unlimited invasion of Ukraine. A few hours after the fighting started the Russian military claimed that they had successfully destroyed the air defenses of the armed forces of Ukraine. The Russian air-force is now conducting airstrikes in every part of Ukraine as they cover advancing ground forces.
Western nations have pledged that crippling economic sanctions will be placed on Russia. The USA and other western nations have made it clear that no western troops would be sent to fight in Ukraine. Instead they are now threatening to lock Russia out of all western financial markets while also directly banning western firms from having any dealings with individuals with Russia’s political leadership. Sanctions are also expected to be aimed at cutting off Russia’s access to western developed technologies, including high-tech components that are used in most industries.
Millions have begun to flee the fighting. Roads leading to Poland are packed with vehicles carrying people who are attempting to flee to that country in search of safety. This is expected to create the worst European refugee crisis in decades.
More, In The Ring.
