Russian President Vladimir Putin unilaterally declared that the two halves of East Ukraine should be considered independent states in a dramatic escalation that many fear could lead to all-out war.
According to the Daily Beast, in a speech to his citizens on Monday (2/21/2022), the Russian President officially announced the "direct recognition" of the pro-Kremlin regions of Luhansk and Donetsk which stretches for more than 6,500 miles as independent territory from Ukraine.
Putin has baselessly accused Ukrainian forces of "genocide" and blamed Kyiv for the continuation of future bloodshed in the region.
However, prior to his formal recognition of the breakaway states, Putin spent most of his speech criticizing Ukraine, NATO and the US for failing to address the security threats posed by the Kremlin in recent months.
"If Ukraine joins NATO, it will be a direct threat to Russia's security," the Russian leader said.
He belittled Ukraine as a country that has never had a genuine statehood tradition, accused the US of blackmailing Russia with threats of sanctions, and warned of Western efforts to try to convince Russia that NATO is a purely defensive and peace-loving alliance.
Putin added, "We know the true value of such words."
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While Putin did not directly address growing concerns that Russia was planning to invade Ukraine, he did appear to be laying the groundwork for war by characterizing a potential Russian military strike as an act of self-defense.
"Moscow has the right to take retaliatory measures to ensure its own security. That is exactly what we will do," Putin stressed.
Meanwhile, citing The Telegraph, the US claims, the Kremlin has compiled a list of prominent Ukrainian people who will be killed or imprisoned after the Russian military invasion.
A letter to the United Nations (UN) from a senior US diplomat said Russia would enforce any occupation of Ukraine with killings, torture and "widespread human suffering".
Possible targets would include not only politicians and security chiefs but members of civil society, such as journalists and anti-corruption activists.
Many have become prominent critics of Moscow, mainly through social media feeds.
The letter was written by Bathsheba Crocker, the American ambassador to the United Nations human rights office in Switzerland. The United Nations has operated a human rights monitoring mission to Ukraine since Russia's military incursion into the east of the country in 2014.
"I would like to bring to your attention very disturbing information recently obtained by the United States indicating that further human rights abuses and violations following the invasion are being planned," Crocker wrote.
He added, "These actions, which in past Russian operations have included targeted killings, kidnappings/enforced disappearances, unjust detention and use of torture, are likely to target those who oppose Russia's actions."
Crocker did not specify what intelligence was the basis for US suspicions. But he added: "In particular, we have credible information showing Russian forces are making lists of Ukrainians identified to be killed or sent to camps after the military occupation."
Other potential victims, could include religious and ethnic minorities and LGBTQI+ people. Any widespread protest against the Russian occupation would be met with a "deadly force".
