Russia launches invasion of Ukraine
Russian president Vladimir Putin announced in an early morning address on February 24 that Moscow would conduct a "military operation" in the Donbas region of east Ukraine, and called on the Ukrainian military to lay down its arms.
"I have made the decision of a military operation," he said shortly before 06:00 Moscow time. He justified the attack stating it was a response to threats from Ukraine. Russia does not intend to occupy Ukraine, he said, adding that the Ukrainian government would bear responsibility for any bloodshed. He warned other countries not to interfere.
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While Putin said the military operation would take place in the Donbas region, there have been reports of explosions in various cities across Ukraine including the capital Kyiv. Ukraine's government has described the incursion as a "full-scale invasion."
"Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes," Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a statement. "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."
The UN, NATO, the EU and the US and its allies have condemned the attack. EU commissioner Ursula von der Leyen has vowed to hold Moscow "accountable."
Gas prices have soared amid risks of a disruption in Russian gas transit via Ukraine and the broader implications for the continent's energy supply. The March contract at the Dutch TTF hub is up nearly 30% as of 07:40 GMT, at €115 ($129)/MWh.