The Russian attack on Ukraine, which came on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who announced a "special military operation" at dawn today, began amid warnings from world leaders that it could spark the largest war in Europe since 1945.
The Western media highlighted the intelligence of the Russian president, who confused the world, as he broadcasted his speech and strikes were launched immediately after him, and the Security Council held its emergency session, putting the delegates in a difficult position and improvising their statements about the attack.
The New York Times: Russia Defied Everyone
The American newspaper "The New York Times" confirmed that, despite grim warnings of violence, vague guarantees of peace, and diplomatic efforts in Washington, the halls of the United Nations, and European capitals, the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in an hour Early Thursday morning, shelling and missile attacks hit several major cities, including the capital, Kiev.
The explosions left lights like thunder in the sky in the dim light before dawn, minutes after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a "special military operation" to "disarm" Ukraine but not to occupy the country.
She added that hours before the attacks began, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a dramatic televised appeal to the Russian people, saying he wanted to speak to them directly after Putin refused his phone call.
For months, Ukrainians had hoped that predictions of an invasion of Russia, a country with which they share so much in history and culture, would not turn out to be true, but on Thursday they woke up to the dire reality.
She indicated that long lines of cars moved out of Kiev, many of them heading west in the hope of finding refuge in one of the few parts of the country not fortified by Russian forces, in other places people sought protection in subway stations and shelters as sirens sounded from airstrikes.
The newspaper added that shelling and missile strikes were reported all over Ukraine as Russia launched an invasion from land and sea.
Putin has long sought to assert some control over his neighbour, which was once part of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union.
Beginning last fall, Russia began amassing forces along its borders with Ukraine and in Belarus, an allied former Soviet country. The deployments were described as exercises, but the force continued to expand to as many as 190,000 troops.
America and Europe have promised tougher action if Russia goes so far as to fully invade Ukraine. They have been negotiating the outlines of steps for weeks, and they are expected to come up with new sanctions quickly.
However, the possibility of external military intervention seems slim, even though the United States and some European allies have provided weapons to Ukraine.
The Guardian: The scope of the Russian attack is massive
The British newspaper "The Guardian" described the Russian attack on Ukraine as massive. The newspaper said that within minutes of Putin's short televised speech, at about five in the morning Ukrainian time, it was heard Explosions sounded near major Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kiev.
The scope of the Russian attack appears to be massive, as Ukraine's Interior Ministry reports that the country has come under attack from cruise and ballistic missiles, as Russia appears to be targeting infrastructure near major cities such as Kiev, Kharkiv, Mariupol and Dnipro.
Russian media revealed that the declaration of war may have been pre-recorded, as the Russian president was wearing the same tie and sitting at the same desk when he announced his recognition of Russian-controlled territory on Monday.
The British newspaper confirmed that at the time when Putin's words were broadcast and the first bombings were announced, the United Nations Security Council was holding an emergency session, chaired by Russia itself, which holds the rotating presidency.
Putin's speech took place just as the United Nations Security Council was holding an emergency meeting, surprising ambassadors who had to give impromptu reactions to rapidly changing events.
Le Monde: Life is normal in western Ukraine
The French newspaper "Le Monde" confirmed that while explosions rocked central and eastern Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday morning, thundering voices and spreading panic, there was activity in the streets in the part Western Ukraine is almost normal.
She continued that the cafes opened their doors at the usual working hours, followed by other shops, and both customers and servers spend most of their time searching through their smartphones in search of information, and far from being afraid of the situation, residents automatically exchange their impressions without losing their sense of humor They have.
She added that the traffic of cars is normal in the center, as is the case around Mariupol, so urban transport was operating as usual, and everyone went to work as if nothing had happened, while some banged their ears when they heard the sound of explosions, and others continued on their way, keeping calm and did not disturb them.
However, there were two signs of the population's latent nervousness. Long, patient and disciplined lines formed in front of ATMs, limiting withdrawals to 2,000 hryvnia (60 euros), and all gas stations were surrounded by cars waiting to fill their tanks. , in anticipation of possible shortages in the coming days, here too, despite the exceptional circumstances, the staff and cashiers remain polite and even smiling.