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Russia's Putin announces 'military operation' in Ukraine

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Agence France-Presse

<p>MOSCOW, Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday a military operation in Ukraine to defend separatists in the east of the country.</p><p>&quot;I have made the decision of a military operation,&quot; he said in a surprise statement on television shortly before 6 am (0300 GMT).</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/02/24/22/major-war-in-europe-could-be-started-by-russia-soon-ukraine-leader">&#x27;Major war in Europe&#x27; could be started by Russia soon: Ukraine leader</a></li></ul><p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that Russia could start &quot;a major war in Europe&quot; in the coming days and urged Russians to oppose the attack.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/02/21/22/uk-warns-russia-could-start-europes-biggest-war-since-1945">UK warns Russia could start Europe&#x27;s &#x27;biggest war since 1945&#x27;</a></li></ul><p>In an address aired shortly after midnight Zelensky said Russia could invade Ukraine &quot;any day now&quot; and, addressing the Russian people, said whether that happens &quot;depends on you.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Who can stop (the war)? People. These people are among you, I am sure,&quot; he said. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="A satellite image shows su25 ground attack aircraft, at Luninets air field in Belarus, February 14, 2022. Picture taken February 14, 2022. Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/tvpatrol/02/23/su25-ground-attack-aircraft.jpg"/><figcaption>A satellite image shows su25 ground attack aircraft, at Luninets air field in Belarus, February 14, 2022. Picture taken February 14, 2022. <em>Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Zelensky said he had tried to call Russian President Vladimir Putin but there was &quot;no answer, only silence&quot;, adding that Moscow now had around 200,000 soldiers near Ukraine&#x27;s borders.</p><p>Rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine have asked Moscow for military help against Kyiv, the Kremlin announced late Wednesday, in a move that opens the door for massed Russian troops to move in.</p><p>Separatist leaders of Donetsk and Lugansk sent separate letters to Putin, asking him to &quot;help them repel Ukraine&#x27;s aggression,&quot; Putin&#x27;s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. </p><p>The two letters were published by Russian state media and were both dated February 22. </p><p>Their appeals came after Putin recognized their independence and signed friendship treaties with them that include defense deals.<br/>alf/roc/rbu/je</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XXQc2_k21Ug?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday a military operation in Ukraine to defend separatists in the east of the country.