BREAKING-Almost immediately after President Vladimir Putin's declaration of war which came just before 6 a.m. local time, missiles rained down upon at least 16 Ukrainian cities, according to local reports.
According to The New York Post, "That included explosions that rocked the 3 million people in the capital, Kyiv, where black smoke was seen gushing from the headquarters of Ukraine’s military intelligence."
Russian tanks were deployed on the outskirts of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, which is about 20 miles from the Russian border, witnesses that spoke to the Wall Street Journal said.
Ukrainian officials said another offensive was aimed at Kherson, a city on the Black Sea.
Rattled Ukrainians began leaving in mass numbers Thursday, as Russia officially declared war and began a full-scale invasion by land, air, and sea. Poland is preparing to take in at least a portion of the millions of Ukrainian refugees.
Russian violence Thursday morning plunged Europe into a crisis not seen since the days of World War II.
According to the Wall Street Journal, "Russian armored columns pushed into Ukraine and airstrikes hit the country’s capital and dozens of other cities early Thursday after President Vladimir Putin ordered an offensive that he said was aimed at toppling the government in Kyiv and demilitarizing the country.
Ironically, the exact words used by the Russian president were that Russia was attempting to end violence and "denazify" Ukrainian extremists. As of Wednesday night, Putin said he had no plans of permanently occupying Ukraine.
Contributor(s)
Al K. Scott, Winrich Von Kniprode
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