In an unexpected televised address, Russian President Putin announced military action in Ukraine last night. Almost immediately after that, explosions and shelling were reported in several Ukrainian cities, such as Kiev, Kharkov and Odessa.
Also in Lviv, a city in the far west of the country, air raid sirens are now sounding.
According to the Russian news agency Interfax, there were not only explosions in the cities of Odessa and Mariupol, but now also Russian soldiers. According to the American news channel CNN There are already hundreds of victims.
Nothing is excluded
According to reporter Jeroen Ackermans, the Russians are now targeting mainly military targets in Ukraine. Among other things, there are reports of an attack on the military airfield in the city of Kramatorsk.
Deliberate attack, says our correspondent: “By closing the military infrastructure, the Russians will make sure that Ukraine will be less able to defend itself.”
Ackermann: Now military targets are being bombed, but nothing is ruled out. Ukraine has now become a potential target and Ukraine’s response to Russian attacks will be harsh.”
relevant population
Our reporter spoke to the residents of that city, who expressed great concern: “The coffee café employee is very worried, tears are rolling down.” According to Ackermann, there are also reports of an influx of fleeing Ukrainians towards the West. country.
In the video below, our reporters give you additional information about the situation in Ukraine:
Russia correspondent: Putin will not stop there
According to Russian correspondent Eva Hartog, it is now clear that Russia is bombing the whole of Ukraine with attacks. According to her, this is a deliberate act by Putin and the president is not afraid of possible sanctions.
Hartog: Increasing Russian influence is Putin’s mission. So he won’t stop at these attacks.”
