President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (24/2/2022) ordered the Russian military to carry out special operations in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine.
The military operation was launched after the leaders of Donetsk and Luhansk, the two eastern Ukrainian regions that Putin recognizes as independent, requested military assistance from Moscow.
The request for assistance was made in response to what they claim is an increase in aggression by Ukrainian forces based in Kiev.
"The circumstances require us to take decisive and immediate action," Putin said, as reported by Russia Today.
"The People's Republic of Donbass appeals to Russia for assistance. In this regard, in accordance with Article 51, section 7 of the United Nations Charter, with sanctions from the Federation Council and in accordance with the friendship treaties ratified by the Federal Assembly and mutual assistance with the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, I has decided to carry out a special military operation," Putin continued.
At the same time, in his public address, Putin said that he wanted to "demilitarize" and "de-Nazify" Ukraine. Within moments of the speech, a series of explosions were reported in Ukrainian cities, with CNN journalists claiming to hear explosions in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.
Russia's military operation decision comes days after Moscow recognized the independence of the republic that broke away from Ukraine; Donetsk and Luhansk.
Putin's admission came after he accused Kiev of not fulfilling its obligations under the Minsk Agreements drawn up in 2014 and 2015 to resolve the conflict between the separatists and the Ukrainian government.
Western leaders have for months forecast a looming attack, claiming Russia has amassed troops near its border with Ukraine and in neighboring Belarus, where Moscow has conducted joint drills in recent weeks.
Russia has so far denied any plans to attack Ukraine.
However, Moscow defended its actions in the Donbass and insisted it was defensive in nature.
The US and its European partners have imposed sanctions on a series of financial institutions, officials and Russian lawmakers following the recognition of the two territories that broke away from Ukraine. They vowed to deliver more punishment if Moscow "attacked" Ukraine further.
