Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a special military operation in Ukraine on Thursday morning.
Although he said Russia’s plans did not include an occupation of Ukraine, attacks began almost immediately.
NATO members, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, have enacted a fourth NATO article to launch consultations within the alliance on their security concerns.
Under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Agreement, the Parties shall consult each other if they consider that the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Allies is at stake. Ukraine is not yet a member of NATO.
Ukrainian police have reported seven deaths as a result of the Russian attacks. According to their information, six people were killed and seven injured in an airstrike against Ukrainian soldiers near Odessa. A fatality has been reported in the immediate vicinity of the breakaway areas in Mariupol.
An Interior Ministry employee told Reuters that they know of eight fatalities and nine injuries so far.
However, in a statement from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, he wrote that “there are no losses among the defenders of Ukraine”.
European nations have condemned Russia’s actions. A spokesman for the German government said Chancellor Olaf Scholz had spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about his solidarity. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the attack was “shocking” and Britain would provide a strong response.
telex.hu
Photo: Jevhen Maloletka / AP / MTI
