In the early hours of Thursday morning Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir #Putin announced a military operation in #Ukraine ?? on Thursday (23 February) with explosions heard soon after across the country and its foreign minister warning a "full-scale invasion" was underway, reports @GeorgiGotev. https://t.co/j1Dex2vu9I
— EURACTIV (@EURACTIV) February 24, 2022
Ukraine’s central military command said Russia bombed several airports, reported Bellingcat’s Christo Grozev.
! Ukraine's central military command reports Russia bombed several airports, including Kyiv Boryspil, Nikolaev, Kramatorsk, Kherson. Kharkiv military airport is burning. pic.twitter.com/IOrfGZgPL4
— Christo Grozev (@christogrozev) February 24, 2022
James Mates added that sirens could be heard in Kyiv with explosions on the horizon.
Sirens in Kyiv, explosions on the horizon. Putin has launched all out war. Reports of Russian forces moving towards Kharkiv, Mariupol, Odessa pic.twitter.com/dxOqHEt5SD
— James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) February 24, 2022
“So much of this is on us,” she continued. “We laundered Putin’s money, provided safe harbour for his chums. And in 2016, when he attacked the US and UK elections, we played dumb and covered it up.”
If you’re waking up, it’s worse than anyone imagined. Strikes across entire country. So much of this is on us. We laundered Putin’s money. We provided safe harbour for his chums. And in 2016, when he attacked the US & UK elections, we played dumb & covered it up. pic.twitter.com/Wi8PdQhN3x
— Carole Cadwalladr (@carolecadwalla) February 24, 2022
Suzanne Lynch reported Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg: “This is a grave moment for the security of Europe.”
#Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg – "This is a grave moment for the security of Europe."#Russia #Ukraine
— Suzanne Lynch (@suzannelynch1) February 24, 2022
Moldova is by far the poorest country in Europe, If they’re willing to accept refugees, every European country should be said Nicolaj.
Moldova is by far the poorest country in Europe
If they're willing to accept refugees, every European country should be https://t.co/KxGeBtFKTQ
— Nikolaj???? (@nikicaga) February 24, 2022
Ido Vock showed these images of the border with Slovakia as people attempted to flee the country.
The border with Slovakia https://t.co/F6mBa7vOv7
— ido vock ?? (@idvck) February 24, 2022
Meanwhile the Ministry of Internal Affairs asked residents not to leave Kyiv right now, so as not to create traffic jams.
#Kyiv is in huge traffic jams. People are in a hurry to leave the capital. The Ministry of Internal Affairs asks the residents of Kyiv not to leave the city right now, so as not to create traffic jams. pic.twitter.com/1AwOFN4M7Y
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) February 24, 2022
“In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives. We will hold the Kremlin accountable,” they said.
We strongly condemn Russia´s unjustified attack on #Ukraine.
In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives.
We will hold the Kremlin accountable.
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) February 24, 2022
Sadly a lot of this is of our own making.
German Defence minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer tweeted: “I’m so angry at ourselves for our historical failure. After Georgia, Crimea, and Donbas, we have not prepared anything that would have really deterred Putin.”
I'm so angry at ourselves for our historical failure. After Georgia, Crimea, and Donbas, we have not prepared anything that would have really deterred Putin.
— A. Kramp-Karrenbauer (@akk) February 24, 2022
But Von der Leyen said that sanctions will target strategic sectors of Russia’s economy designed to take a heavy toll on the Kremlin’s ability to finance war.
The sanctions will target strategic sectors of Russia’s economy.
We will freeze Russian assets in the EU and stop access of Russian banks to our financial market.⁰
This is designed to take a heavy toll on the Kremlin’s ability to finance war. pic.twitter.com/Gjz2jDlzM4
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 24, 2022
Of course there are knock-on effects: European gas price went up 40% today after Russia’s invasion pointed out Simone Tagliapietra
European gas price up 40% today after #Russia invasion of #Ukraine
— Simone Tagliapietra (@Tagliapietra_S) February 24, 2022
Some, including Aral Balkan made valiant attempts to lighten the mood: “Did I hear correctly that the EU has agreed not to give Putin free shipping on his Christmas orders this year? Damn those folks are fierce,” he snarked.
Did I hear correctly that the EU has agreed not to give Putin free shipping on his Christmas orders this year?
Damn those folks are fierce.
— ar.al (@aral) February 24, 2022
Wheil MEP assistant suggested it’s a good time as any to recommend the TV show Occupied.
I guess it's a good time as any to recommend the TV show Occupied. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/F2ggCzUIA7
— mepassistant (@mepassistants) February 24, 2022
Even Danish spoof PM account said: “It’s parody to poke fun at the world, but there’s little fun in the world today. Times like this it’s important to know truth from fiction.
At times like this it’s important to know truth from fiction. This account is fake.
It is a parody launched to poke fun at the world. But there’s little fun in the world today.
All love to ??.
— Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Danish Person (@MettePrime) February 24, 2022
Source: euractiv.com
