Vladimir Putin Announces Russia Will Begin Military Operation in Ukraine

President Vladimir Putin said early on Thursday that Russia has authorized a “special military operation” that will be conducted in eastern Ukraine, according to The New York Times and the Associated Press. The sound of “large booms” was reported around Kramatorsk, Ukraine at about the same time that Putin made the announcement. 

In a televised address, the Russian leader said the Kremlin’s goal is the “demilitarization and denazification” of Ukraine and argued that “decisive, swift action” is necessary. He called for Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms and said those that do “will be able to leave the battle zone.”

Putin also said that Russia does not intend to occupy the country.

“I have taken the decision to carry out a special military operation,” Putin said. “Its goal will be to defend people who for eight years are suffering persecution and genocide by the Kyiv regime. For this we will aim for demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, as well as taking to court those who carried out multiple bloody crimes against civilians, including citizens of the Russian Federation. Our plans do not include occupying Ukrainian territory.”

Also in his address, Putin sent out a warning to countries who are thinking about interfering.

“Anyone who tries to interfere with us, or even more so, to create threats for our country and our people, must know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead you to such consequences as you have never before experienced in your history,” Putin said. “We are ready for any turn of events.”

U.S. President Joe Biden responded to the news of the military operation in a statement and called Russia’s actions “premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.” Biden continued, “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.”

Biden added that he will address the American people about the situation tomorrow after consulting with his “G7 counterparts in the morning.”

This post will be updated.