Putin Announces ‘Special Operation’ in Donbas

Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared on live television and said he authorized a special military operation in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.

According to RT, Putin said the operation will be aimed at “defending” people living in the republics of Donetsk and Luhansk (DPR and LPR), which Russia recognized on Monday.

CNN reporters say they are hearing explosions in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv and near the capital Kyiv.

President Biden released a statement condemning Putin’s operation and said he would announce on Thursday “further consequences” that the US and its allies will “impose on Russia.”

Earlier in the day, the Kremlin said the leaders of the DPR and LPR requested Putin to help in “repelling the aggression” of the Ukrainian military. Russia also ratified treaties with the DPR and LPR that allow military cooperation with the breakaway republics.

Putin issued an order that says: “The People’s Republics of Donbas 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 Luhansk People’s Republics, I have decided to conduct a special military operation,”

Published at news.antiwar.com

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