UKRAINE WAR BLOG: Live Updates

9:45 AM ET
Russia’s military has already destroyed 74 Ukrainian military facilities, including 11 air bases, during the opening salvo of its war, the Kremlin crowed Thursday. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu revealed the supposed tally while insisting that Ukrainian servicemen would be treated “with respect” and those who lay down their weapons offered safe corridors. His department also confirmed the loss of a Su-25 attack jet, claiming it was due to “pilot error.”

9:31 AM ET

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, in a previously planned visit that came ahead of the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The pair of world leaders were photographed shaking hands and posing together for the cameras.

While many world leaders have in recent days reacted with alarm to Russia’s recent military actions, Khan has avoided criticizing Putin on the matter. When he arrived in Russia Wednesday night, Khan remarked on the “excitement” in the country. “What a time I have come, so much excitement,” Khan said while speaking to Russian members of the delegation who greeted him, according the Hindustan Times. “I am so excited to come to Moscow.”

9:00 AM ET

French President Emmanuel Macron told his nation Thursday that Russia had launched “the most serious attack on peace and stability in our Europe for decades.” “We have tried everything to avoid this war but it is here and we are ready,” Macron said in a televised address, with the national flag of under-siege Ukraine behind him. He called Russia’s war a “turning point in European history” that will have “profound consequences for our continent and changes in our lives.” “We will show no weakness,” Macron vowed. “We will take all measures necessary to defend the sovereignty and stability of our European allies.”

8:50 AM ET

NATO will dispatch additional troops to Eastern Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin declaring war on the country, a top alliance official said Thursday, vowing to protect “every inch” of its territory. “In the coming days and weeks … we will further increase our presence in the eastern part of the alliance,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a news conference in Brussels on Thursday, accord to CNBC.

“NATO is the strongest alliance in history, and make no mistake, we will defend every ally against any attack on every inch of NATO territory,” he said. “An attack on one ally will trigger a response from the whole alliance.”

“Russia has attacked Ukraine. This is a brutal act of war. Our thoughts are with the brave people of Ukraine,” Stoltenberg told reporters at NATO’s headquarters. “Peace in our continent has been shattered. We now have war in Europe, on a scale and of a type we thought belong to history.”

8:14 AM ET

China on Thursday refused to condemn Russia’s war on Ukraine, questioning whether it was really an “invasion” — and instead blaming the US for “fanning the flame” of tensions. “This is perhaps a difference between China and you Westerners. We won’t go rushing to a conclusion,” Hua Chunying, spokesperson at China’s foreign ministry, told reporters at a 90-minute long press briefing. “Regarding the definition of an invasion … The Ukrainian issue has other, very complicated historical background that has continued to today. It may not be what everyone wants to see,” she claimed. Instead, “some countries have been following the US in fanning the flame,” Hua said. “We object to any action that hypes up war.”

China also on Thursday offered Russia an economic lifeline amid the rush of sanctions imposed by other nations.

7:40 AM ET

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed his nation Thursday, saying that “our worst fears have now come true” after Russia declared war on Ukraine. “President Putin has unleashed war in our European continent,” he said in a live televised address, noting that “all our warnings have proved tragically accurate. He has attacked a friendly country without any provocation and without any credible excuse. Missiles and bombs have been raining down on an entirely innocent population. A vast invasion is underway by land, by sea and by air,” said Johnson, offering ongoing support to Ukraine. Our mission is clear: diplomatically, politically, economically and eventually militarily, this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure,” Johnson added.

7:15 AM ET

President Joe Biden is set to participate in a virtual G7 meeting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine at 9 a.m. ET Thursday and will announce “severe sanctions on Russia,” according to Politico. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will also be in attendance. President Biden is then expected to address the nation at noon, CNN reported Wednesday, citing a White House official.

6:20 AM ET

Ukraine’s official Twitter account mocked Russian President Vladimir Putin, sharing a staggering drawing early Thursday showing Adolf Hitler lovingly caressing the face of a much-smaller, child-like Putin. “This is not a ‘meme’, but our and your reality right now,” the nation’s official account said.

Meanwhile, Anton Herashchenko, a member of Ukraine’s Internal Affairs Ministry, compared the Russian strongman to the genocidal maniac as he warned of WWIII. “Either Ukraine and the world will stop the new Hitler now or there will be a Third World War,” he warned ominously.

5:40 AM ET

The president of Ukraine’s neighbor Moldova said Thursday that the country is introducing a state of emergency as it prepares to “accommodate tens of thousands” of refugees. President Maia Sandu said that the country’s Supreme Security Council has asked parliament to approve the declaration because of Russia’s “flagrant violation of international norms.” Sandu urged her citizens in Ukraine to return home, and said that there has already been “an increase in traffic flow” at border crossings into Moldova, a former Soviet republic and one of Europe’s poorest nations.

4:13 AM ET

The Kyiv Post, Ukraine’s oldest English-language newspaper, said its website is being targeted in a “constant cyber attack.” “We are and will be, doing our best to keep you informed in this difficult time.” The outlet signed off saying, “Slava Ukrayini! Heroyam Slava,” which translates to “Glory to Ukraine, Glory to the heroes.”

3:56 AM ET

Ukraine’s military said on Thursday that four Russian tanks were destroyed and 50 troops were killed in Luhansk in retaliation for the aerial assault. The military also said that a total of 6 Russian aircraft have been downed in the eastern section of the country. Russia denied that the military vehicles and aircrafts were destroyed. Earlier, Ukraine’s border guards said that three of their servicemen were killed in the Kherson region and that several more were wounded.

3:13 AM ET

The official account of Ukraine briefed its Twitter audience to read and spread information on Russia’s attack from verified sources. Ukraine, fighting for “freedom and democracy,” said the “armed forces of the Russian Federation” launched its attack on the country at 5 a.m. local time on Thursday.

3:02 AM ET

Ukrainian border guards said that three people were dead from the aerial attack by Russia, according to Agence France Presse. The total number of casualties from the bombings was unclear early Thursday. The death toll came as the country braced for more attacks from the Russian military.

2:55 AM ET

The US Embassy encouraged Americans in Ukraine to shelter in place amid Russia’s military mobilization. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Mariupol, and other cities were attacked early Thursday.

3:00 AM ET

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted on Thursday he continues to work with world leaders amid the Russian attack.

2:48 AM ET

Russia claims it wiped out Ukraine’s air force bases and air defense assets in pre-dawn attacks against military targets in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa. Explosions were also heard in Dnipro and Mariupol. Ukraine officials did not confirm the destruction, but said command facilities, air bases and military depots had been targeted.

2:45 AM ET

The Ukraine military early Thursday said that five Russian planes and one helicopter were shot down amid ongoing areal assault in the city of Luhansk. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said the country was building an anti-Putin coalition to combat the military assault on the nation.

2:30 AM ET

Russian tanks crossed into Sen’kivka, Ukraine from Belarus Thursday, CNN footage showed. Images of the ground invasion aired after explosions were heard in the nation’s capital and elsewhere across the country. Russian military officials claimed precision missile strikes were launched at military facilities in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipro, and no civilians were targeted. Fearful Kyiv residents were heard screaming in the streets after the explosions but as the morning commute neared, pedestrian and vehicle traffic resumed in relative calm, the Associated Press reported.

01:15 AM ET

Russian President Vladimir Putin pre-taped his televised declaration of war three days before it aired, according to Echo of Moscow, an independent radio station. Putin’s message was recorded on February 21, the station found after “downloading video from Kremlin web-page and checking metadata.” Also, Putin was reportedly wearing the same tie on Monday as he was in the announcement that aired on state TV Thursday in Russia.

12:33 AM ET

Ukraine’s foreign minister called for immediate global action against Russia Thursday, saying the “future of Europe and the world is at stake.” Dmytro Kuleba said that “devastating sanctions” must be imposed on Russia to fully isolate it. Kuleba also called for weapons and financial and humanitarian assistance to be provided to his country.

12:10 AM ET

European Union leaders are set to meet Thursday for an emergency summit to address the Ukraine crisis, after the bloc mapped out sanctions hitting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle. The EU is set to target three Russian banks as part of its response to Moscow’s decision to send troops into Ukraine, as well as Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the head of English-language Russian broadcaster RT.

11:50 PM ET

Russia’s attack on Ukraine “blatantly violates international law and endangers the lives of numerous civilians,” Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Twitter early Thursday.

“Finland expresses its strong support for Ukraine and the Ukrainians. We are looking for ways to increase our support for them,” she added.

11:42 PM ET

Shortly before 6 a.m., the EU’s two top leaders pledged on Twitter to hold Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council Charles Michel both tweeted the same statement: “We strongly condemn Russia’s unjustified attack on Ukraine. In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives. We will hold the Kremlin accountable.”

11:31 PM ET

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson added his voice to the growing condemnation of Russia after its attack on Ukraine. Johnson tweeted: “I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps. President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and our allies will respond decisively.”

11:19 PM ET

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said Ukraine is fighting for the entire region, responding to numerous reports of Russian missile strikes in the country. “We in Lithuania know it very well that Ukraine is fighting not just for Ukraine, but for us in the region, Europe and everyone in the democratic world,” he tweeted. “It is our obligation not just to punish Russia for its actions but to help Ukraine with all and every means available. Now.”

11:04 PM ET

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss also reacted early Thursday to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to attack Ukraine. “I strongly condemn the appalling, unprovoked attack President Putin has launched on the people of Ukraine,” she tweeted. “We stand with Ukraine and we will work with our international partners to respond to this terrible act of agression [sic].

10:51 PM ET

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was one of the first Western leaders to weigh in early Thursday as Russia launched an attack on Ukraine. “The Netherlands strongly condemns the Russian attack on Ukraine,” he tweeted. “We are in close contact with EU/NATO and other allies. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people.”

10:41 PM ET

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres implored Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt his all-out assault on Ukraine. “Under the present circumstances, I must change my appeal: President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia. This conflict must stop now,” he wrote on Twitter.

10:14 PM ET

On Twitter, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba confirmed that Russia had launched an all-out attack on Ukraine. “Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” he wrote. “Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”

10:13 PM ET

There appears to have been an airstrike on Kyiv’s Boryspil International Airport, according to reports.

Russian President Vladimir Putin effectively declared war on Ukraine early Thursday, launching what Ukraine’s foreign minister described as a “full-scale invasion.”

The head of Eurocontrol, the organization that coordinates air traffic flow across Europe, said there would be no aviation activity in Ukraine on Thursday after Russian troops moved into the country.

10:10 PM ET

“The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. 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. The world will hold Russia accountable,” U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement.

“I will be monitoring the situation from the White House this evening and will continue to get regular updates from my national security team. Tomorrow, I will meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning and then speak to the American people to announce the further consequences the United States and our Allies and partners will impose on Russia for this needless act of aggression against Ukraine and global peace and security. We will also coordinate with our NATO Allies to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the Alliance. Tonight, Jill and I are praying for the brave and proud people of Ukraine.”

10:05 PM ET

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg excoriated Russia early Thursday morning, declaring that “Russia has chosen the path of aggression” after President Vladimir Putin effectively declared war against Ukraine.

In a statement, Stoltenberg called Russia’s military action “reckless and unprovoked,” warning that it “puts at risk countless civilian lives.”

“This is a grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security,” Stoltenberg added. “I call on Russia to cease its military action immediately and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The NATO chief said members of the military alliance will gather “to address the consequences of Russia’s aggressive actions.”

He added: “We stand with the people of Ukraine at this terrible time. NATO will do all it takes to protect and defend all Allies.”

09:50 PM ET

PUTIN EFFECTIVELY DECLARES WAR

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a “special military operation” seeking the “demilitarization and de-Nazification of Ukraine,” effectively declaring war on the country.

Speaking just before 6 a.m. Moscow time, Putin called on members of the Ukrainian army to lay down their arms and go home to their families.

Putin claimed his plans “don’t include occupation of Ukrainian territory.”

“To anyone who would consider interfering from outside: If you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history. All the relevant decisions have been taken. I hope you hear me,” he said.

Putin added that Russia’s actions were about protecting Ukraine “from those who took Ukraine hostage.”

{Matzav.com}