🚨 - BREAKING NEWS

Putin has announced in a televised speech the start of a military operation against Ukraine and declares that Russia aims to demilitarize the neighboring country.

Calls on the Ukrainian military to "immediately lay down its arms."

@Intelops

🚨 - BREAKING NEWS

Russia attacks Ukraine:

Explosions are being reported in the capital Kyiv, in the second-largest city Kharkiv, in Mariupol, and in the port city of Odesa.

@intelops

🚨 - BREAKING NEWS

Explosions ring out across Odessa

Unverified footage on social media appears to show blasts occurring in the city.

@intelops

🌐 - INTERNATIONAL:

Two Turkish Air Force A400Ms, NATO assets, are reportedly still on the ground at Kyiv's Boryspil Airport in Ukraine.

The airport is currently under Russian attack.

@intelops

🌐 - INTERNATIONAL:

The Russian Black Sea Fleet launches amphibious assault on Ukrainian coast lines near Odessa and Mariupol.

Russian troops have reportedly landed in Odessa, others crossing the border into Kharkiv.

@intelops

🌐 - INTERNATIONAL:

UN Sec. General Appeals Directly to President Putin

António Guterres: “Tonight, I have only one thing to say, from the bottom of my heart: President Putin, stop your troops from attacking Ukraine.

Give peace a chance. Too many people have already died.”

@intelops

🚨 - BREAKING NEWS

Putin’s made a direct appeal to the military forces of Ukraine in his early Thursday speech.

The Russian President had a message to the armed forces of Ukraine as he announced a ‘special military operation’ in Donbass - tells them:

▪️ Your fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers did not fight defending our common homeland for "today's neo-Nazis to seize power"

▪️ You took an oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people - "not to the anti-people junta that robs it and mocks your country"

▪️ Putin urged Ukraine’s forces to immediately lay down your arms and go home

▪️ The Russian president assured all servicemen of the Ukrainian army who make this decision will be able to leave the combat zone without hindrance

▪️ All responsibility for the bloodshed will be "on the conscience of the ruling regime of Ukraine"

@intelops

🚨 - BREAKING NEWS

Zelensky introduces MARTIAL LAW - as Ukraine reacts to Russia’s special military op.

Ukraine President Vladimir Zelensky has announced the introduction of martial law after confirming his country’s military infrastructure has suffered strikes by Russia, adding the US is preparing to send military assistance to Kiev.

@intelops

🚨 - BREAKING NEWS

Ukrainian military claims air defense shot down Russian plane in eastern Ukraine - Reuters

UPDATE: Russia's MoD has denied the reports.

@intelops

🏛 - POLITICS

“This wouldn’t have taken place under my administration” - Trump on Ukraine threat

Speaking live to Fox News, former US President Donald Trump insisted Vladimir Putin’s current military operation in Ukraine would not have happened under his administration.

“I really don’t think he wanted to do this initially,” Trump said. “I think he wanted to negotiate, and it just got worse and worse, and then he saw the weakness. I think it started with the weakness in Afghanistan - I really think that’s where he looked and started to think ‘I can do this.’”

“It’s a very sad day for the country, and a lot of people who are going to be needlessly killed.”

@intelops