Russia and Ukraine Crisis: Latest Trends

The latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine are as follows.

-Putin announces “operation”-

Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared on television shortly before 6 am (0300 GMT), announcing a military operation in Ukraine to protect the eastern separatists of the country from “mass slaughter.”

-explosion-

Explosions reverberate before dawn in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, and in several cities near the forefront and along the country’s coast.

-“Full-scale aggression”-

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has accused Putin of launching a “full-scale aggression.”

-Deployed ground troops-

Russian ground forces travel to Ukraine from several directions, says the Ukrainian Border Guard.

-Martial law-

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declares martial law and later cuts off diplomatic relations with Russia.

-‘Maximum loss’-

The head of the Ukrainian army says he was ordered by Zelensky to repel the Russian invasion and “make the greatest loss”.

-Air force base, defense “destroyed”-

The Russian Ministry of Defense states that it has disabled the Ukrainian military airfield and its air defense system.

-50 “occupants” killed-

Ukraine says it killed “about 50 Russian occupiers” while repelling attacks on front-line towns by Moscow-backed rebels.

-Belarus is not participating-

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko says his troops have not participated in the invasion, just as Kiev says Russian troops had entered the country from Belarusian territory.

-Biden Warning-

US President Joe Biden said the military attack he warned would “blame Russia for the world” and would cause “catastrophic loss of life.”

-Poland is calling for NATO action-

Poland has called on NATO to invoke Article 4 and call for urgent consultation in the event of threats to Member States.

-Soaring oil prices-

Oil prices have skyrocketed above $ 100 for the first time in more than seven years since Putin announced the invasion.

-Trading suspended on Russian stock exchange-

The Moscow and St. Petersburg stock exchanges say they have “suspended” trading.

-Shipping is finished-

Russia will close transportation in the Sea of ​​Azov between Russia and Ukraine.

-China is “carefully” watching-

China has called for restraint in all respects, saying it is “carefully watching” the latest situation.

-“There is no purgatory for war criminals”-

In the emotional context of the UN Security Council, Ukrainian ambassador Sergie Kisritya exchanged thorns with Russian responders, saying, “There is no purgatory for war criminals. They go straight to the ambassador’s hell. I will do it. “

-Ukraine airspace closure-

Ukraine is closing airspace for private travel “due to the high risk of safety”.

-Flights in southern Russia have been cancelled-

Flights from cities in southern Russia near Ukraine will be cancelled.