Explosions heard across Ukraine after Vladimir Putin announces ‘special military operation’
Ukraine says ‘full-scale invasion’ by Russia is underway as explosions are reported across the country
The Russian president in a televised speech early Thursday said he has authorized a “special military operation” in eastern Ukraine, according to AP and BBC News. Explosions have been reported in multiple cities in Ukraine following Putin’s announcement. Earlier, Putin secured approval to use armed forces abroad and a Kremlin spokesperson said that Russian-backed leaders in eastern Ukraine requested military assistance, AP reports. US President Joe Biden said in a statement, “President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.”
