Russia launched a special operation in Ukraine

1 Ukraine

Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine. The authorities of the LPR and the DPR requested to help them in the repelling of the aggression of Ukraine — Vladimir Putin stated during an emergency address. He pointed out the exact reasons and goals of the operation. Firstly — the decision to operate was forced. Secondly — it was adopted in accordance with the norms of the international law and the UN Charter. The purpose of the operation is to protect the people who have been subjected to a genocide by Ukraine over the past 8 years. Putin stated that Moscow will de-militarize and de-nazify Ukraine. He urged the Ukrainian military to lay down their arms, and he warned of an immediate response in case of an outside interference. According to Dmitry Peskov — the timing of the operation will be decided by Putin. The timing will depend on the effectiveness of the actions. The Russian Ministry of Defense underlined that they won’t strike the cities of Ukraine. Nothing threatens the civilians. The Russian troops disable the Ukrainian military infrastructure, air defense facilities, military airfields, and aviation with high-precision weapons.

2 Ukraine

The Russian forces disabled 74 Ukrainian ground military infrastructure facilities — the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov stated. 11 air bases, 3 command posts, a naval base, 18 radar stations of the S-300 and Buk-M1 AA missile systems were disabled — the Russian Ministry of Defense clarified. Sergei Shoigu instructed all the Russian commanders to treat the Ukrainian soldiers and officers with respect. The Ukrainian troops that lay down their arms should be provided with safe corridors to leave the areas of the military operation so that they can be reunited with their families.

3 Donbass

According to the FSB, the Ukrainian border guards left all posts on the Russian-Ukrainian border. Reports of shelling by the Ukrainian military come non-stop. The HQ of the territorial defense of the DPR reported that in 7 hours the Ukrainian troops shelled 11 settlements, including the town of Dokuchaevsk, with heavy weapons. A battle is going on in the city of Gorlovka. The residents are hiding in the shelters. The Ukrainian troops use heavy and prohibited weapons.

4 Donbass

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that the Russian troops shot down 1 Ukrainian combat helicopter and 4 Bayraktar strike UAVs over Donbass. The LPR forces near the village of Stepovoe, despite the resistance of the Ukrainian nationalists, advanced for 1 more kilometer. 1 ’’AN-26’’ military transport aircraft was shot down in the Kiev region — the Ukrainian authorities reported. 5 servicemen were killed.

5 Ukraine

1 Russian «Su-25» attack aircraft crashed during the on-going military operation. The pilot managed to eject before the airplane collided with the ground — the Russian Ministry of Defense reported. The ministry didn’t specify the location of the plane crash while noting that a pilot error was the cause of the crash.

6 Ukraine

Ukraine cut off the diplomatic relations with Russia — the Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stated at a briefing. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry started evacuating the Ukrainian embassy in Moscow — the press service stated. It was specified that the consular offices of Ukraine on the territory of Russia continue to work as usual. The police are guarding the Ukrainian consulate in the city of Rostov-on-Don — the TASS reported. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the cutting of the diplomatic relations with Ukraine wasn’t the choice of Russia. The ministry added that the end of the relations is the logical conclusion of the Russophobic policy of the Ukrainian authorities.

7 Ukraine

The Ukrainian Security Service is preparing provocations in the style of the Syrian «White Helmets» — the official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry Igor Konashenkov stated. The fake videos have already been filmed in several cities with supposedly dead civilians. The Ukrainian Security Service published those videos via their Telegram channels and social media. The goal is to intimidate the Ukrainians.

8 Ukraine

2 Russian cargo ships came under a missile attack in the Sea of Azov. The FSB reported that the attack took place from the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. One crew member was badly injured. Patrol boats were sent to evacuate the ship. It was reported that a fire started on an oil tanker. The fire was extinguished. Both ships were able to continue moving on their own. The explosion caused by a Ukrainian missile was recorded in the Kuban, near the village of Shirochanka. No harm was done. The «Tetkino» border checkpoint in the Kursk region was shelled. The troops destroyed the place from which the shelling took place.

9 Ukraine

The offensive of the DPR goes as planned. The Ukrainian artillery hits the residential areas of the settlements — the DPR reported. After the capture of the North Crimean Canal and the village of Kakhovka, the Russian troops advanced close to the city of Kherson. According to some reports — the Russian troops are separated by several kilometers from the city. The Ukrainian troops sent T-64 tanks into the battle, but they were attacked on the road not too far from Kherson. Constantine Reztsov, specially for the ANNA NEWS