Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, claiming it’s intent to ‘protect civilians.’
In a televised address, Putin said the action comes in response to threats coming from Ukraine.
Putin added Russia doesn’t have a goal to occupy Ukraine and that the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian regime.
Putin warned the global community that any attempt to interfere with the Russian military action would lead to consequences.
He accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees.
The Russian military operation aims to ensure a demilitarisation of Ukraine, as per the official line.
Putin said that all Ukrainian servicemen who lay down arms will be able to safely leave the combat zon
Indian stocks plummet as Brent oil prices surge on announcement
International oil prices broke the $100 per barrel mark, the highest since September 2014, as Russia attacked Ukraine.
Russia is the world’s second-largest oil producer, which mainly sells crude to European refineries, and is the largest supplier of natural gas to Europe, providing about 35 per cent of its supply.
The Indian equity indices plunged sharply on Thursday as investors turned cautious owing to the developments.
As of 9:54 am, the benchmark BSE Sensex tanked 1,936 points or 3.38 per cent to 55,296; while the broader NSE Nifty moved 572 points or 3.35 per cent down to 16,491.
Asian share markets also slumped as Japan’s Nikkei fell 2.17 per cent, South Korea’s KOSPI was down 2.66 per cent and the Shanghai Composite index dropped 0.89 per cent.
Ukraine was attacked through Russian, Belarus and Crimea borders
Ukraine was attacked through multiple borders, the Ukrainian state border service said early Thursday.
‘At about 5:00 a.m., the state border of Ukraine in the area with the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus was attacked by Russian troops supported by Belarus,” the service said. It added that attacks are being carried out in Luhansk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Zhytomyr regions areas on the eastern and northern borders of Ukraine.
The attacks are targeting border units, border patrols and checkpoints using artillery, heavy equipment and small arms, the border service said.
‘In addition, the attack takes place from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea side,’ said the service.
Ukraine is retaliating against the Russian offensive
According to CNN reports, the border service added that border guards, along with Ukraine’s Armed Forces and National Guard, are ‘firing at the enemy’ depending on the situation on the border.