Russian military tanks in Donetsk. [Anadolu]
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Thu 24 February 2022:
On Thursday (February 24), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Russia was attacking the country’s “military infrastructure” and border guards.
In a video message to the nation on Facebook, Zelensky urged citizens not to be frightened and promised triumph. Following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of the start of a military action against Ukraine.
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Ukraine’s border guard service stated, as reported by AFP, that the country was under artillery fire on Thursday along its northern border with Russia and Belarus. Ukrainian military are also firing back, according to the official.
A Ukrainian interior ministry official said the Ukrainian government-held town of Shchastya had fallen to Russian-backed eastern separatists.
Amid the heightened tensions, Zelensky has also introduced martial law across the country, adding that he had spoken by phone with US President Joe Biden.
President Zelenskyy reached out to me tonight and we just finished speaking. I condemned this unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. I briefed him on the steps we are taking to rally international condemnation, including tonight at the UN Security Council.
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 24, 2022
White House released a statement after the phone call between Biden and the Ukrainian President. It read: “President Zelenskyy reached out to me tonight and we just finished speaking. I condemned this unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces.”
“I briefed him on the steps we are taking to rally international condemnation, including tonight at the United Nations Security Council. He asked me to call on the leaders of the world to speak out clearly against President Putin’s flagrant aggression, and to stand with the people of Ukraine,” it further read.
“Tomorrow, I will be meeting with the Leaders of the G7, and the United States and our Allies and partners will be imposing severe sanctions on Russia. We will continue to provide support and assistance to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” it further added.
EU will “hold Moscow accountable”
The European Union says it will “hold Moscow accountable” for what commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said was an “unjustified” attack on Ukraine.
“In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives,” she said on Twitter.
“We will hold the Kremlin accountable,” von der Leyen added.
We strongly condemn Russia´s unjustified attack on Ukraine.
In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives.
We will hold the Kremlin accountable.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 24, 2022
The British prime minister has responded to the Russian attack on Ukraine
I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps.
President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
The UK and our allies will respond decisively.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 24, 2022
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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