In a televised address early Thursday, Putin announced military action in Donbad and urged Ukrainian forces to lay down their arms and return home. He said that the military action was being launched in response to threats coming from Ukraine, AP reported.
Live on @CNN air- Matthew Chance hears loud explosions in the Capital City of Kyiv. Unclear where they came from- but they happened just minutes after Putin effectively declared war on Ukraine. Moments later Chance put a flack jacket on live on the air. pic.twitter.com/EQgsKPzlJQ
— Ryan Nobles (@ryanobles) February 24, 2022
Just minutes later, CNN reported hearing gunfire and several explosions in Kyiv, in the direction of the international airport. Some explosions were also heard in Mariupol, located in eastern Ukraine, AFP reported.
Responding to Putin’s address, US President Joe Biden said that the “world will hold Russia accountable” for the attack on Ukraine, which he warned would result in a “catastrophic loss of life”.