Russian President Vladimir Putin announces military assault against Ukraine in surprise speech

Business Insider ^ | 2/23/2022 | (John Haltiwanger

[RomanSoldier19]

utin announced Russia forces were launching an offensive against Ukraine in a video that aired early on Thursday morning in Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military offensive against Ukraine in a video that aired early on Thursday morning in Russia.

Putin said Russia had decided to launch a "special military action" against Ukraine, with reports of explosions and flares coming minutes afterwards in Ukraine. The state-run Russian RIA news agency said the offensive would begin in the Donbas area of eastern Ukraine, also claiming that Putin does not have plans to occupy Ukraine.

Russia for months denied plans to invade Ukraine, even as it amassed tens of thousands of troops along the border.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine that began Monday has sent shockwaves through Europe and the wider world, while threatening to destabilize the surrounding region and rock global markets.

This article is breaking and will continue to be updated.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Dow futures off more than 700…but it’ll be a bigger sell off than that tomorrow.

[Antoninus]

Which deep-state fools thought it would be a good idea to sign up Ukraine into Nato?

Same ones who advised Clinton to offer Ukraine a security guarantee if they gave up their nukes.

Same ones who think that the greatest threat to America is patriotic American citizens.

[Antoninus]

The French and British could do nothing to defend Poland on Polish soil. Hitler took the fight to them. So both promises are just as empty.

No, but they declared war on Germany and fought to the bitter end. By comparison, we are sending Putin a strongly worded letter. Our promises mean nothing and now the world knows it. China knows we will not defend Taiwan. This is what happens when you elect panty-wearing idiots like Clinton, Obama and Biden.

[Antoninus]

Map doesn’t help much when I was shocked how small the Ukraine is! Thought it was much bigger.

Small? Ukraine is roughly the size of all of western Europe.

[Buttons12]

Be terrible ... but we’d have Republican presidents for the next 40 years.

Then we'd have Chinese puppets for 40 years!

[Eagles6]

The US DID overthrow Poroschenko, to install a pro Western government.

I guess he figures if we can do it, he can do it.

[Rebelbase]

Per posts on Telegram, Maripol and Odessa have been taken.

[xkaydet65]

He’s wearing the exact same outfit he wore when he made his hour long speech. This TV appearance was prerecorded yesterday.

[Buttons12]

Oil now over 101 now!

Pass the antacids. Time to call for a heating oil delivery.

[JoSixChip]

Ukraine is not without resources. Check out this rumble video of an anti-missile defense mechanism in action: https://rumble.com/vvpqfw-air-defense-systems-intercept-in-ukraine.html

[Buttons12]

Ukraine is roughly the size of all of western Europe.

It's not much bigger than Spain, never mind all of western Europe.

[mvonfr]

It appears that the Uke air defense system is no more; same seems to be true for their ammo depots and command centers.

Done with cruise missiles mostly.

---

DNR/LNR forces started their own advance now.

[milagro]

Before he became a panty (as in Depends) wearing idiot, Joe was pocket-lining Commie pawn.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Putin doesn’t want the Ukraine. Its corrupt and broke. He’s conducting a surgical operation to clean out some cabal rabble that are joined at the hip with the Biden’s and the EU/NWO.

[Antoninus]

It's not much bigger than Spain, never mind all of western Europe.

My mistake. It is roughly the same size as the Austro-Hungarian Empire was prior to WWI.

[NorseViking]

Biden’s bait and switch worked. You need to be happy.

[joethedrummer]

Still no word from the American Resident….

[jjotto]

The state it is closest to in size is Texas. About the size of France.

[WoofDog123]

oh no. then we would not have elections again.

[mvonfr]

He is definitely going to assist DNR/LNR in liberating their territory. This is actually under way now.

He is not going to occupy the rest of the ruined country.

He is going (or did already) disable the Uke military.

But I would not exclude the possibility that another province or two in the Ukraine proclaim independence now and ask for protection.-— this is the most interesting question now.