Dipo Kehinde/
Russia has confirmed the fears of the United States and its allies today with a bombardment of Ukraine from several fronts causing chaos on major roads as thousands of citizens were trying to flee the country.
Lines of cars were seen fleeing from the capital, Kyiv. Many were heading west, hoping to find safety in parts of the country closer to Poland and NATO troops. Ukrainians were seen in long queues trying to withdraw money and at grocery stores.
Fears are being expressed from several nations that this could be the beginning of World War 3.
Already, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has offered weapons to citizens who would love to defend the country. He also declared that Ukraine has severed ties with Russia.
Responding to a question on Facebook, a lady named Marie Matahari, stated: “I’m Ukrainian. This is a full-scale attack from multiple directions. Ukrainian defense has not collapsed. Ukrainian army took the fight. Ukraine stands with both feet on the ground and continues to defend itself.”
The full-scale attack on the second-largest country in Europe commenced hours after the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres pleaded that Russian President Vladimir Putin should change his mind.
Guterres spoke as the 15-member UN Security Council met in New York.
He said that many people have been killed, adding: “President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia. This conflict must stop now.”
American President Joe Biden has condemned the attacks. He said that he would speak to the American people today.
Biden stated in a tweet today: “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.”
UK Minister of State for Europe and North America, James Cleverly said the United Kingdom would introduce an “unprecedented” level of sanctions in response to Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.
Also describing the attack as unprovoked, Czech President Milos Zeman, condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine and called for disconnecting Russia from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) system.
Australia is imposing a new set of sanctions against Russia, with further rounds potentially targeting 300 Russian lawmakers, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today.
A Nigerian in Kharkiv, Ukraine, posted on Twitter: “I’ve packed my emergency bag up. Internet has gone down. Some services are not working. Refugees camp hasn’t been set up yet but we’re waiting for a signal to move. Wahala.
“For those in Kharkiv: If you haven’t got a plan yet, Please stay indoors. Find a way to stay online. Nothing is happening yet. Don’t panic. Thanks, everyone. Staying with few people together.”
The Red Cross urged all sides in the Ukraine conflict to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and essential services such as water and power supplies. The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC President Peter Maurer stated in a tweet today.
For weeks, Russia, Ukraine’s next-door neighbor was amassing weapons of mass destruction at Ukraine’s border. Russia also held huge joint military exercises in Belarus, where it had poured an unprecedented number of troops and equipment. It also moved over 100, 000 troops 6000 miles from its far east to the south in Crimea. Tanks, long-range artillery, and advanced fighter jets were also deployed massively.
At the time, Russia denied any intention to attack Ukraine. It simply described its action as ‘just defensive war games’. The joint military exercise was code-named ‘Union Resolve 2022’. According to Russia, the exercise would practice averting and repelling external aggression via a defensive operation, as well as combat terrorism and defend the interests of Russia and Belarus.
Seeking to bolster Ukraine’s defenses, President Biden dispatched the U.S. F-15 fighters jets from the 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the United Kingdom to Poland. The plan was that they would work alongside Polish and Danish F-16 aircraft executing air policing missions from Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania.
NewsmakersNG learned that the U.S. had also deployed more than 2000 troops to Poland and Germany.
As Russia’s military action is being condemned by many, one of the few voices in support of the action is that of one Ipene Daniel who posted a comment on a thread of a live broadcast monitored on Facebook.
Daniel stated: “Let’s be honest here, the US will never allow Russia to build military bases in Canada, Cuba, and Mexico. Why should Russia allow NATO to establish military bases in Ukraine?”
Watch Russian Bombs Landing on Ukraine
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