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Russia Invades Ukraine by Land, Air, and See, Oil Prices Jump to $105

February 24, 2022

 

A view shows the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service site damaged by shelling in Kyiv region, Ukraine, in this handout picture released February 24, 2022	A photo provided by the Ukrainian President's office appears to show an explosion in the capital city of Kyiv early Thursday, February 24, 2022

Russia invades Ukraine in Europe's 'darkest hours' since WWII

By Natalia Zinets  and Aleksandar Vasovic

Summary

Putin authorises military operation in east Explosions heard in Kyiv and across Ukraine Kyiv declares martial law, urges 'all possible' sanctions U.N. Security Council to discuss resolution on Thursday

KYIV/OUTSIDE MAIUPOL, Ukraine, Feb 24, 2022 (Reuters) -

Russian forces invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on Thursday (Feb 24, 2022), in the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War Two.

Russian missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities and Ukraine reported columns of troops pouring across its borders into the eastern Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Luhansk regions. Russian troops also landed by sea at the port cities of Odessa and Mariupol in the south.

Explosions were heard before dawn in the capital Kyiv, a city of 3 million people. Gunfire rattled, sirens blared, and the highway out of the city choked with traffic as residents fled.

Black smoke rose over the headquarters of Ukraine's military intelligence after an explosion in Kyiv near midday.

The assault followed weeks of fruitless diplomatic efforts by Western leaders to avert war and realised their worst fears about Russian President Vladimir Putin's ambitions.

"Russia treacherously attacked our state in the morning, as Nazi Germany did in the WW2 years," tweeted Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. "As of today, our countries are on different sides of world history. Russia has embarked on a path of evil, but Ukraine is defending itself & won't give up its freedom no matter what Moscow thinks."

He called on Ukrainians to defend the country on its cities' streets, and said arms would be given to anyone prepared to fight. He also urged Russians to take to the streets to protest against their government's actions.

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said: "These are among the darkest hours of Europe since the Second World War."

RUSSIAN BOMBING

A resident of Ukraine's second largest city Kharkiv, the closest big city to the Russian border, said windows in apartment blocks were shaking from constant blasts.

Outside Mariupol, close to the frontline held by Russian-backed separatists, smoke billowed from a fire in a forest hit by Russian bombing.

A Ukrainian armoured column headed along the road, with soldiers seated atop turrets smiling and flashing victory signs to passing cars which honked their horns in support.

In nearby Mangush and Berdyansk towns, people queued for cash and gasoline. Civilians from Mariupol were seen packing bags.

"We are going into hiding," one woman said.

Initial reports of casualties were unconfirmed. Ukraine reported at least eight people killed by Russian shelling and three border guards killed in the southern Kherson region.

Ukraine's military said it had destroyed four Russian tanks on a road near Kharkiv, killed 50 troops near a town in Luhansk region and downed six Russian warplanes in the east.

Russia denied reports its aircraft or armoured vehicles had been destroyed. Russian-backed separatists claimed to have downed two Ukrainian planes.

In a televised declaration of war in the early hours, Putin said he had ordered "a special military operation" to protect people, including Russian citizens, subjected to "genocide" in Ukraine - an accusation the West calls absurd propaganda.

"And for this we will strive for the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine," Putin said. "Russia cannot feel safe, develop, and exist with a constant threat emanating from the territory of modern Ukraine...All responsibility for bloodshed will be on the conscience of the ruling regime in Ukraine." read more

'UNPROVOKED AND UNJUSTIFIED'

U.S. President Joe Biden said his prayers were with the people of Ukraine "as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack". He and other Western leaders promised tough sanctions in response. read more

"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," Biden said.

The prospect of war and sanctions disrupting energy and commodities markets posed a threat to a global economy barely emerging from the pandemic. Stocks and bond yields plunged, while the dollar and gold soared. Brent oil surged past $100/barrel for the first time since 2014.

"There are no buyers here for risk, and there are a lot of sellers out there, so this market is getting hit very hard," said Chris Weston, head of research at broker Pepperstone.

Ukraine, a democratic country of 44 million people with more than 1,000 years of history, is Europe's biggest country by area after Russia itself. It voted overwhelmingly for independence after the fall of the Soviet Union, and aims to join NATO and the European Union, aspirations that infuriate Moscow.

Putin, who denied for months that he was planning an invasion, has called Ukraine an artificial creation carved from Russia by its enemies, a characterisation Ukrainians say is false.

Three hours after Putin gave his order, Russia's defence ministry said it had taken out military infrastructure at Ukrainian air bases and degraded its air defences.

Earlier, Ukrainian media reported that military command centres in Kyiv and Kharkiv had been struck by missiles, while Russian troops had landed in Odessa and Mariupol. A Reuters witness later heard three loud blasts in Mariupol.

Russia announced it was shutting all shipping in the Azov Sea. Russia controls the strait leading into the sea where Ukraine has ports including Mariupol. Ukraine appealed to Turkey to bar Russian ships from the straits connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.

'WE'RE AFRAID'

Queues of people waited to withdraw money and buy supplies of food and water in Kyiv. Traffic going out of the city towards the Polish border was jammed. Western countries have prepared for the likelihood of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing an assault.

By mid-morning, traffic was at a standstill on the four-lane main road to the western city of Lviv. Cars stretched back for dozens of kilometres (miles), Reuters witnesses said.

Oxana, stuck in a jam with her three-year-old daughter on the backseat, said she was fleeing "because a war has started. Putin has attacked us."

"We're afraid of bombardments," she said. "This is so scary."

World leaders expressed near universal outrage at the invasion, with China, which signed a friendship treaty with Russia three weeks ago, a notable exception. Beijing reiterated a call for all parties to exercise restraint and rejected a description of Russia's action as an invasion.

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Reporting by Reuters bureaus; Writing by Stephen Coates, Robert Birsel and Peter Graff, Editing by Angus MacSwan

Russia invades Ukraine in Europe's 'darkest hours' since WWII | Reuters

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Ukraine conflict: Russian forces invade after Putin TV declaration

BBC, February 24, 2022

Russian forces have launched a military assault on neighbouring Ukraine, crossing its borders and bombing military targets near big cities.

In a pre-dawn TV statement Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia did not plan to occupy Ukraine and demanded that its military lay down their arms.

Moments later, attacks were reported on Ukrainian military targets.

Ukraine said that "Putin has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine".

Russia's military breached the border in a number of places, in the north, south and east, including from Belarus, a long-time Russian ally. There are reports of fighting in some parts of eastern Ukraine.

About 10 civilians are believed to have been killed, including six in an air strike in Brovary near the capital Kyiv. A man was also killed in shelling outside the major eastern city of Kharkiv.

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said that more than 40 soldiers had died and dozens more were wounded. Ukraine said it had killed 50 Russian troops and shot down six Russian aircraft, but this has not been verified.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced martial law across all of Ukraine, severed all diplomatic relations with Russia and said weapons would be distributed to anyone who wanted them.

"No panic. We're strong. We're ready for anything. We'll defeat everyone, because we are Ukraine," he said in a video statement. Ahead of Russia's attack he had made a last-ditch attempt to avert a conflict, warning that Russia could start "a major war in Europe" and urging Russian citizens to oppose it.

Warning sirens blared across the capital, which has a population of almost three million. Traffic queued to leave the city and crowds sought shelter in Kyiv's metro stations. Several neighbouring countries have begun preparations to take in a large number of refugees.

"We don't understand what we should do now," one woman called Svetlana told the BBC. "We're now going to a place where we can be safe and we hope we can leave safely. We have family in Mariupol and now they're very nervous."

In the metro, a couple with a toddler followed developments on their phones and asked: "Where are Nato?"

Mark, a 27-year-old sales executive said he was ready to be called up to fight: "We don't have another way," he said.

What Russia has targeted

Russia first launched strikes on Ukraine's military infrastructure and border guard units, according to Mr Zelensky. Then Ukrainian forces said Russian military vehicles had crossed the border near Kharkiv in the north, Luhansk in the east, Russian-annexed Crimea in the south and from Belarus too. Belarus's authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko said his country's military were not involved but could be if needed.

Russian tanks were later seen on the outskirts of Kharkiv, a city of 1.4 million people. Russian forces also reportedly landed by sea at Ukraine's major port cities of Odesa on the Black Sea and Mariupol on the internal Sea of Azov.

Ukraine's army said Kyiv's Boryspil international airport was among a number of airfields that had been bombed, along with military headquarters and warehouses in the big cities of Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Mariupol.

Footage verified by the BBC showed missiles slamming into an airport in the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk.

Mr Zelensky said Russia had positioned almost 200,000 troops and thousands of combat vehicles on Ukraine's borders.

'Unprovoked and unjustified'

The Russian leader launched the "special military operation" by repeating a number of unfounded claims he has made this week, including alleging that Ukraine's democratically elected government had been responsible for eight years of genocide.

He said the goal was demilitarisation and "denazification" of Ukraine. Hours earlier Ukraine's president had asked how a people who lost eight million of its citizens fighting Nazis could support Nazism. "How could I be a Nazi?" said Mr Zelensky, who is himself Jewish.

Mr Putin also warned that any outside power intervening on Ukraine's behalf would face an "instant" response.

Neighbouring countries have reacted to the crisis.

In the Baltic republic of Estonia which borders Russia, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said a number of Nato allies that shared borders with Russia had agreed to launch consultations under Nato's Article 4. Under the defensive alliance's treaty, Nato can be brought together if any member fears their independence or territory is under threat.

"Russia's widespread aggression is a threat to the entire world and to all Nato countries," she said.

As cars queued on Ukraine's border with Moldova, the country's pro-EU president, Maia Sandu said she was declaring a state of emergency and was prepared to give help to tens of thousands of Ukrainians. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda also said he was signing a state of emergency to be approved by parliament.

"President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Ukraine's Western allies had repeatedly warned that Russia was poised to invade, despite repeated denials from Moscow. The US, EU, UK and Japan imposed sanctions against leading Russians, Russian banks and MPs who backed the move.

In a televised address, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the "hideous and barbaric venture by Vladimir Putin must end in failure".

Addressing Russians, he said: "I cannot believe this is being done in your name, or that you really want the pariah status it will bring to the Putin regime." He told Ukrainians that the UK was "on your side".

US President Joe Biden said the world would hold Russia accountable. He is expected to address Americans on Thursday about consequences Russia will face.

France's President Emmanuel Macron said the attack would have "deep, lasting consequences for our lives".

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said "these are among the darkest hours for Europe since World War Two".

Why Russia invaded

Earlier this week Russia's president announced he was recognising the independence of two self-proclaimed people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.

The breakaway regions were seized by Russian-backed rebels after Russia invaded Crimea in 2014. Mr Putin launched that attack after mass street protests in Ukraine that ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.

Since then more than 14,000 people have died in the east in a conflict between the rebels and Ukrainian forces. A shaky ceasefire had held but there has been a surge in violations in recent days.

Mr Putin said the military operation's objective was to defend the people in the breakaway areas.

Kyiv and its Western allies have repeatedly rejected as absurd Mr Putin's claims that Ukraine was being run by neo-Nazis, instead pointing out that Ukraine was now a nation with growing democratic institutions, unlike an authoritarian Russia.

Fears of a Russian attack have been rising for months.

Mr Putin has repeatedly accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia's demands to prevent Ukraine from joining the Nato military alliance and offer Moscow security guarantees.

Ukraine conflict: Russian forces invade after Putin TV declaration - BBC News

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Putin announces 'special operation' in Donbass

RT TV, 24 Feb, 2022 02:54

The special military operation is aimed at "the defense of" the newly recognized republics of Donetsk and Lugansk Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke during a national address in which he announced a "special military operation" in the Donbass region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that he ordered his country's military to conduct a special operation in the Donbass region after the leaders of the breakaway republics asked Moscow for military assistance in response to what they claim is an increase in “Ukrainian aggression.”

“Circumstances require us to take decisive and immediate action," the order reads. “The People's Republics of Donbass turned to Russia with a request for help. In this regard, in accordance with Article 51, part 7 of the UN Charter, with the sanction of the Federation Council and in pursuance of the friendship treaties ratified by the Federal Assembly and mutual assistance with the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, I have decided to conduct a special military operation,” Putin stated.

At the same time, in an address to the public, the Russian president said he wanted to "demilitarize" and "de-Nazify" Ukraine. According to him, "we have no plans to occupy Ukrainian territory." Within moments of the speech, a series of explosions were reported in cities across Ukraine, with CNN, CBC and a number of Ukrainian media outlets reporting a blast in the capital, Kiev. 

In a statement, US President Joe Biden said that “the prayers of the world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by the Russian military forces.”

The decision comes days after Moscow recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk breakaway republics in the Donbass, alleging Kiev had not lived up to its obligations under the Minsk agreements struck in 2014 and 2015 to resolve conflict between separatists and the Ukrainian government.

Officials later authorized what they described as a "peacekeeping operation" in the region. Western leaders for months had predicted a looming incursion, claiming Russia has amassed troops near its border with Ukraine and in neighboring Belarus, where Moscow has conducted joint drills in recent weeks.

Russia has so far denied plans for an attack, however, and maintains its actions in the Donbass will be defensive in nature. The US and its European partners have already imposed sanctions on a series of Russian financial institutions, officials and lawmakers following the recognition of the break-away states, vowing to bring more penalties should Moscow “further invade” Ukraine.

Putin announces 'special operation' in Donbass — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

Putin will decide when Ukraine offensive ends – Kremlin

RT TV, February 24, 2022

Russian military action is the prerogative of the president, who makes the calls on its goals and terms, Kremlin said ©kremlin.ru

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has set the targets for the country’s military attack against Ukraine and he will decide when the operation ends “based on results and expediency,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

The operation “has its goals and they need to be achieved,” the official said, when asked by journalists when the offensive would end.

In his Thursday morning address, Putin said he’d ordered Russian troops to attack Ukraine to demilitarize and, as he put it, “denazify” the country. He claimed Russia’s national security was compromised by NATO encroachment in Ukraine.

He further stated that Russia was duty-bound to protect the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk from continued attacks by the Ukrainian forces. Moscow recognized the two entities as sovereign states on Monday.

Russia is determined to “neutralize the [Ukrainian] military potential, which was boosted considerably lately, including with the active assistance of foreign nations,” Peskov said.

He added that “ideally” Ukraine needs to be “cleansed” from neo-Nazi ideology.

Peskov rejected the idea that Russia was in the process of occupying Ukraine, saying the Russian invasion had limited goals of protecting Russia and the separatist regions. He said the future of Ukraine will be determined by the Ukrainian people.

The Russian military launched a massive attack against Ukraine on Putin’s order right after his televised address. The defense ministry said it was targeting elements of the Ukrainian military infrastructure and sought to avoid civilian casualties. Multiple reports from the ground said apparent Russian strikes throughout Ukraine have caused damage to military bases, weapons depots and some arms factories.

Putin will decide when Ukraine offensive ends – Kremlin — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

Russia responds to Kiev cutting diplomatic ties

RT TV, 24 Feb, 2022 11:05

The decision is “a logical conclusion” of Russophobic post-coup policies, Moscow says FILE PHOTO. The building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia in Moscow. ©Aleksey Konovalov / Getty Images

The Russian foreign ministry said on Thursday that it’s not surprised by Kiev cutting all diplomatic relations with Moscow. Russia would not have made this choice but considers it “the logical conclusion” of the “Russophobic policies” of the Ukrainian leadership, according to a remark cited by RIA Novosti.

The ministry noted that Ukraine has been ramping up discriminatory policies against ethnic Russians living in Ukraine and downgrading the relationship with Russia since the 2014 armed coup, which ousted elected then-President Viktor Yanukovich from power.

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky announced that all diplomatic ties with Russia had been cut amid a military operation, which Moscow launched on Thursday morning. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the goal was to demilitarize and “de-Nazify” Ukraine.

He accused Western nations led by the US of pumping Ukraine with advanced weapons and ramping up NATO presence in the country. The military attack was necessary to prevent worse bloodshed in the future, the Russian leader claimed.

Russia responds to Kiev cutting diplomatic ties — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

Oil breaches $105 as Russia-Ukraine conflict intensifies

RT TV, 24 Feb, 2022 11:25

Major crude benchmarks hit their highest price levels since 2014 © Getty Images / Daniel Cogliano / EyeEm

Oil prices surged on Thursday, with the major global crude benchmark, Brent, breaching $105 a barrel for the first time since 2014, amid concerns that the escalating crisis between Russia and Ukraine over the Donbass regions could disrupt global energy supplies.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation, aimed at “the defense” of the newly recognized republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. The first Russian airstrikes against Ukrainian military positions have been confirmed by Moscow.

The Brent crude price has since jumped to over $105 a barrel – the highest in over seven years. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures soared over 8% to as much as $100 a barrel – the highest since 2014.

Oil prices have risen over $20 a barrel since the start of the year, amid fears that the United States and Europe would impose sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, disrupting supplies.

“This growing uncertainty during a time when the oil market is already tight does leave it vulnerable, and so prices are likely to remain volatile and elevated,” the head of ING’s commodity research, Warren Patterson told Reuters.

Analysts have raised concerns that the situation could worsen if the West places sanctions on the energy trade. Russia is the world’s second-largest crude oil producer and exporter.

“It’s not just geopolitical risk that is the problem, but the further straining of supply,” OCBC Bank economist Howie Lee has been quoted as saying by a number of media outlets. “Russian oil supply will disappear overnight if faced with sanctions ... and OPEC can’t produce fast enough to cover this gaping hole,” he added.

Oil breaches $105 as Russia-Ukraine conflict intensifies — RT Business News

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