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Russia attacks eastern Ukraine as Putin orders 'special military operation'
by Darryl Coote

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Russia launched an anticipated attack in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, as President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a "special military operation."

Ukraine's border services confirmed in a statement that Russian troops supported by Belarus' military began attacking border units with artillery, heavy equipment and small arms at about 5 a.m., local time, from Belarus where they were stationed.
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Attacks were also occurring in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Zhytomyr as well as in Crime.

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The office of President Volodymyr Zelensky said strikes were being conduct on "important defense facilities" and that the situation in Donbas "has degraded."

In response, he imposed martial law and told civilians to stay in their homes.

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Putin announced the operation in an early Thursday televised speech, while the United Nations Security Council was in an emergency session in New York attempting a last-minute ditch effort to prevent war.

The Russian President said the aim of the operation was the "demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine," referring to a World Word II term concerning the ridding of Germany and Austria of Nazi ideology.

"It's goal is to protect people who have been bullied for eight years, genocide the Kyiv regimen," he said. "And for this purpose, we will strive for the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, as well as bring to justice those who committed numerous bloody crimes against civilians, including citizens of the Russian Federation."

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Putin said Russia does not intend to occupy Ukraine and all soldiers who lay down their arms will be allowed to leave the "battle zone."

Continues:

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2022/02/23/russian-Putin-orders-military-operation-Ukraine/4251645670345/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&u3L=1

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