The Russian invasion of their neighbor Ukraine has begun.
CBS News reported, Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine late Wednesday, Ukrainian and American officials said, with President Joe Biden accusing Russian leader Vladimir Putin of personally choosing to carry out “a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister called it a “full-scale invasion.”
Putin announced that the aim of the invasion would be the “demilitarization and denazification” of Ukraine. Shelling of the country’s Capitol began only moments after Putin announced the operation.
CBS reporters alleged that black smoke could be seen emanating from Ukraine’s defense ministry building. Strikes also appeared to target integral infrastructure like railway bridges.
During a speech, Putin insisted that he was not targeting population centers and that Russia did not plan to occupy Ukraine. If true, this seems to stick with his narrative of demilitarization. Putin has also claimed that ethnic Russians are experiencing a genocide carried out by Ukrainians.
Despite a “full-scale invasion” of Ukraine, U.S. officials have no plans to move America’s ambassador in Moscow out of the country. Washington conveyed that the ambassador would be necessary to relay messages to the Russian government.
A statement from NATO referred to the “invasion” as “horrifying” despite seemingly no plans to occupy Ukraine.
