A day after Russia launched a full-scale invasion in Ukraine, the President of the Eastern European country, Volodymyr Zelensky, informed on Friday (February 25) that a total of 137 people (including civilians) were killed in Russian military strikes.
In an emotional address to the nation, Zelensky said, “Sadly, today we lost 137 heroes, our citizens. Ten of them were officers. 316 people have been wounded. Defending the Zmiinyi Island, all our border guards died a heroic death. But they have not surrendered. They will all be awarded posthumously by the title of the Hero of Ukraine.”
“Let those who gave their lives for Ukraine be remembered forever. I remain in the capital, my family is also in Ukraine, my children are in Ukraine. My family are not traitors, they are citizens of Ukraine. Where exactly they are, I have no right to say,” he added.
The Ukrainian President further emphasised, “According to the information received, the enemy has marked me as target No.1, my family as target No.2. They want to damage Ukraine politically by destroying the head of State.”
He lamented how the world had deserted Ukraine at such a crucial time. President Zelensky said, “We have been left alone to defend our state. Who is ready to fight alongside us? I don’t see anyone. Who is ready to give Ukraine a guarantee of NATO membership? Everyone is afraid.”
Source : OpIndia
Explosions seen in Ukraine minutes after Putin declares war live on tv
February 24, 2022
On February 24 (local time) Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced military action on Ukraine in a public address in Moscow. The announcement was broadcasted at around 5:30 AM Russian time. Notably, United Nations Security Council was holding a meeting in New York at the same time and the members had pleaded Putin not to initiate the attack.
Putin tells Ukrainian soldiers to lay down arms and go home, warns NATO and USA not to interfere
Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the Ukrainian soldiers to lay down arms. He said those who followed his demand would be allowed to leave the battle zone and return to their families.
Putin said the goal of the military action would be to “defend people who for eight years are suffering persecution and genocide by the Kyiv regime. For this, we will aim for demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine.” Notably, he said Russia does not have any plans to “occupy Ukrainian territory”.
Russia's Putin announces a 'military operation' in Ukraine, calls on Ukraine military to 'lay down its arms': AFP pic.twitter.com/jf9M3FU6ir
— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022
While warning the West not to meddle with Russia, Putin said, “To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside: if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history. All relevant decisions have been taken. I hope you hear me.”
Threat of a nuclear attack: "To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside: if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history. All relevant decisions have been taken. I hope you hear me."
— Bruno Maçães (@MacaesBruno) February 24, 2022
As per BNO News, large explosions could be heard in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
BREAKING: Large explosions reported near Ukraine's Kharkiv pic.twitter.com/fJYOspt5J7
— BNO News (@BNONews) February 24, 2022
Ukrainian President addressed Russians, says invasion would lead to lose of thousands of lives
Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the people of Russia. He said he tried calling the Russian President, but his call went unanswered. “Today, I initiated a phone call with the President of the Russian federation. The result was silence. Though the silence should be in Donbas.”
He said he was addressing not as the President but as a citizen of Ukraine. “More than 2,000 km of the common border is dividing us. Along this border, your troops are stationed, almost 200,000 soldiers, thousands of military vehicles. Your leaders approved them to make a step forward to the territory of another country. And this step can be the beginning of a big war on the European continent.”
He said Ukraine would defend itself if the troops tried to take away the country. “If they try to take our country away from us, our freedom, our lives, the lives of our children, we will defend ourselves. Not attack, but defend ourselves. And when you are attacking us, you will see our faces, not our backs, but our faces.” He added people would lose not only money, reputation, and freedom but also loved ones and themselves. He further urged the people of Russia to convince their President, not to initiate an invasion.
Source : OpIndia
