Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, has sent out warning shots to those willing to compromise the security of his nation saying they should be prepared to face dire consequences. Putin had announced a military operation in Ukraine on Thursday with explosions heard soon after across the country and its foreign minister warning a “full-scale invasion” was underway. Shortly after the announcement, explosions were heard in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and several other cities, Weeks of intense diplomacy and the imposition of Western sanctions on Russia failed to deter Putin, who had massed between 150,000 and 200,000 troops along the borders of Ukraine. “We are ready for any outcome,” was what the Russian strongman uttered in a televised message on Thursday morning. “Whoever will try to stop us and further create threats to our country, our people should know that Russia’s response will be immediate and lead to such consequences that you have never faced in your history.” “Its goal is the protection of the people who during eight years suffer from abuse and genocide from the Kyiv’s regime,” he said in defence of the military offensive Despite the incursion by Russia, a close ally to Putin, President Alexander Lukashenko. has claimed that Belarusian troops are not taking part in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, “Our troops are taking no part in this operation,” Lukashenko said. He also said he had “personally suggested” to Putin for “a number of the Russian armed forces” to stay in the south of the country despite joint military drills coming to an end.   End To Diplomatic Ties President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced Thursday that Ukraine has cut diplomatic ties with Russia after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion. Zelenskiy made this known in an address to the nation, where he likened Russia’s bold move to that of the Third Reich of Nazi Germany. The Ukrainian leader called on everyone with combat experience to take up arms, asked for blood donors and guaranteed an amnesty to “all those who are now under sanctions but are ready to fight with Russia.” Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak said Ukraine’s forces were “waging heavy combat” and repelling Russian advances in some parts Reports from Ukraine claim a death toll of about 40 people so far amid Russia’s invasion. It is however unclear whether the casualties included civilians. More to follow…..

  China on Thursday called for restraint on all sides after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an attack on Ukraine, while saying the military operation should not be described as an “invasion”. Putin announced the launch of a major military offensive and ground troops crossed into the country from several directions on Thursday, with explosions heard in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. “China is closely watching the latest situation, and we call on all parties to maintain restraint and prevent the situation from getting out of control,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing where she was repeatedly asked if Beijing condemned the actions. Beijing has trod a cautious line on Ukraine as Moscow massed thousands of troops on the borders, and criticised the West for new sanctions after Russia ordered troops into two breakaway Ukrainian regions it now recognises as independent. Hua on Thursday refused to call the military action an “invasion”, labelling the term “prejudiced”, and dodged questions on whether China was in contact with Russian and Ukrainian leaders. “The Ukraine issue has a very complicated historical background” and was the result of “various factors,” Hua told reporters. China has blamed the United States and its Western allies in recent weeks for “hyping up” the crisis, with Hua saying at an earlier briefing on Wednesday that the US was “adding fuel to the fire.” The Chinese embassy in Ukraine on Thursday warned its citizens to be alert for “severe disturbances” and to stay home as much as possible.

  his counterpart in the UK, Boris Johnson, have spoken against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on Thursday, announced a military operation in Ukraine. Earlier today, Russian military vehicles entered Ukraine through Crimea, according to a video released by the Ukrainian Border Guard. Russia crisis Ukraine’s military shoots down Russian fighter jets A live-streamed video from the Belarus border crossing showed a column of troops and military vehicles crossing into Ukraine. The video was shot around 6:48 a.m. local time at the crossing between Senkivka, Ukraine, and Veselovka, Belarus, CNN reports. Reacting to the development, US President, Joe Biden, condemned the military invasion by Russia, describing it as “an unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine”. Biden said, “President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable.” According to a senior Biden administration official, the US and its allies are planning on Thursday to trigger the “full scale” of the sanctions that have been discussed over the last several weeks in response to the attack. Also, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Jonson, told Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, in a phone call on Thursday that “the West would not stand by as President Putin waged his campaign against the Ukrainian people.” Johnson and Zelensky spoke over the phone after Russia’s attack on Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday, according to a statement tweeted by Downing Street. Johnson told Zelensky on the call that “he was appalled by the unfolding events in Ukraine,” said the statement. It added that Johnson hoped “Ukraine could resist,” and that the United Kingdom had Ukrainians in their thoughts “during this dark time.” Also, the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, on Thursday condemned Russia’s invasion of eastern Ukraine, saying it “shakes the foundations of the international order.” While explosion rocked some parts of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has said its forces are countering the Russian offensive “with dignity” and inflicting losses on Moscow’s troops. The minister said, “National Defence Forces, using the right for self-defense according to the article 51 of the United Nations Charter, are countering with dignity the enemy’s attempts to break through the state border. The situation is controlled; the Russian troops are suffering losses.” The Ministry also said there had been “no losses among the defenders of Ukraine.”