Russia launches a “full-scale invasion” of Ukraine, As Putin announces a “special military operation”

According to reports from Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has launched a “full-scale invasion” after announcing a “special military operation” in the east of the country.

Following Putin’s televised address explosions shook the Ukrainian outskirts of Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Mariupol, and its capital Kyiv. Shortly after the explosions US president Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined other global powers in condemning Russia’s actions.

Inside Ukraine, airports have been temporarily shut down and secured against Russian aircraft landings. Simultaneously, Russia has closed off its airspace to limit civilian access for the next four months. In response to these attacks, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has put the state under Martial Law and urges citizens to stay at home as much as possible.

The Russian invasion comes after president Putin authorized a military operation in the Eastern European country.

Currently, Russian troops were reported to have entered the southern port cities of Mariupol and Odesa. Following his announcement of the military operation, Putin warned other countries to turn their attentions away as any interference would lead to “consequences you have never seen.”

The attacks fall in line with intelligence gathered from the US as Sen. Marco Rubio reports that Russia was launching a “full scale and comprehensive military assault throughout Ukraine.”

Rubio then adds that the attack involved “airborne and amphibious landings, missile strikes from air, ground and naval forces, electronic and cyber attacks and a large ground force to occupy a large swath of territory.”

Furthermore, Rubio stated that Russian air forces were working to “take control of the airport in Kyiv [so] they can fly in forces to occupy the [capital] city.”

Source: CNN, Independent.UK, ABC