Kiev, Europe Brief News – Ukraine has broken off all diplomatic relations with Moscow in response to Russia’s invasion.
“We broke off diplomatic relations with Russia,” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Thursday.
“Ukraine is defending itself and will not give up its freedom, no matter what Moscow thinks. Russia vilely and suicidally attacked our state in the morning. Just like fascist Germany did during the second world war,” he further said.
It marked the first rupture in ties since Russia and Ukraine became independent countries after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991.
Zelenskyy’s decision came hours after Putin launched an all-out offensive that included an air assault and ground invasions along Ukraine’s northern and southern frontiers.
The attacks began after Putin said in a televised address that he had approved a “special military operation”.
The move came after Moscow earlier recognised rebel-held territories in Luhansk and Donetsk and said they had asked for its “help”.
Ukraine Crisis: Citizen Are Fleeing Off Country
Ukraine reported a number of troops pouring across borders into the eastern Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Luhansk regions. Explosions can be heared before dawn in the Capital Kyiv. The residents are trying to flee the country as highways experienced a worst traffic jam.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Putin has made up his mind to destroy his state.
Dmyto Kuleba , Ukrainian Foreign Minister said on twitter “ Putin has just launched a full scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes”.
He further added “This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now”.
Joseph Borrel, EU Foreign Affairs Chief “These are among the darkest hours of Europe since the Second World War”.
A resident from the Ukrainian City Kharkiv claimed that the windows in apartment blocks were shaking from constant bombing from Rusian Military.
The Initial reports of casualties were irregular and unconfirmed. Ukraine reported that Russian shelling has killed almost eight of its people along. Three border guards in the Southern Kherson Region were also killed.
