Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a military operation in Ukraine to defend separatists in the east of the country on Thursday.
“I have made the decision of a military operation,” he was quoted as saying in a surprise statement on television shortly before 6 am (0300 GMT), reported news agency AFP.
Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia could start “a major war in Europe” in the coming days and appealed to the Russians to oppose the attack.
Meanwhile in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia could begin “a major war in Europe” in the days to come and urged Russians to oppose the attack.
Zelensky in his address, aired shortly after midnight, said Russia could invade Ukraine “any day now” and, addressing the Russian people, said whether that happens “depends on you.”
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