After months of posturing, Russia has finally invaded Ukraine. The big question for the West now is: Can Russia and President Vladimir Putin be stopped?
Putin announced an attack on Ukraine early Thursday local time, declaring the beginning of a “special military operation” aimed at the “demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine.”
In a televised address, Putin said Russia did not plan to occupy Ukraine but wanted to protect its citizens. He also issued a chilling warning that any countries that tried to interfere with Russia’s actions would face “consequences they have never seen.”
Russian attacks then began on cities across the country, with explosions reported in several key cities including Kyiv, Odessa, Kharkiv and Mariupol. The explosions are ongoing, according to reports.
The developments are a shocking escalation after months of simmering tensions and concerns over Russia’s intentions towards its neighbour.
Thursday’s attack comes days after Putin recognized two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent and ordered Russian troops into the region on a “peacekeeping” mission, a claim rubbished by many.
Experts and officials thought this could be a precursor to a wider invasion of the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine, but Thursday’s assault is bigger, and has come quicker, than many feared.
Experts believe that Moscow’s likely objective to this military action is to force a change in Ukraine’s political leadership and to install a pro-Russia regime in Kyiv.
“Based on Putin’s speech and the initial waves of strikes, it is clear that we are in the ‘severe’ scenario, in which Russia launches major attacks across Ukraine and aims to overthrow the Kyiv government through military means,” Henry Rome, director of global macro research at Eurasia Group, said in a note Thursday.
“Despite Putin’s claim to the contrary, it is probable that this will include occupation of some territory by Russian forces.”
The attack is shaking global financial markets, causing U.S. stock futures to tumble and global oil prices to spike. European markets are set to plunge at the open on Thursday as a military conflict has broken out yet again on its soil.
SOURCE: CNBC
