Russia Holds Special Military Operations In Eastern Ukraine, President Putin: Protect People Who Are Targets Of Intimidation And Genocide

Russian military illustration. (Source: Russian Ministry of Defense)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a special military operation in the Donbass region of Eastern Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday morning and told the Ukrainian military to lay down its weapons and go home.

In a special televised address on Russian state TV, President Putin said Russia had no choice but to defend itself against what he said were threats emanating from modern Ukraine.

The Russian leader said Moscow had no choice but to launch the operation, the scope of which was not immediately clear.

"I have decided to carry out a special military operation," President Putin said.

"The aim is to protect people who have been subjected to intimidation and genocide over the past eight years. And for this we will fight for the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine."

"And to bring to justice those who committed many bloody crimes against civilians, including against citizens of the Russian Federation," he stressed.

Ukraine rejects Russia's accusations of genocide against people living in its eastern part that was seized by Russia-backed separatists in 2014. Kyiv says President Putin is looking for an artificial pretext to attack it.

Putin's announcement follows calls from Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine for military assistance against what they say is growing Ukrainian aggression.

"I urge you to immediately lay down your weapons and go home. All soldiers of the Ukrainian army who fulfill this request will be able to freely leave the battle zone and return to their families," President Putin said.

A Reuters reporter in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, heard an explosion that sounded like artillery fire in the distance, as soon as Putin finished speaking.

"Russia cannot feel safe, thrive and exist with constant threats emanating from the territory of modern Ukraine," Putin said.

His comments came after the United States said Russia had nearly 150,000 troops stationed near the Ukrainian border, after Russia-backed separatists asked him for military assistance to counter what they said was growing Ukrainian aggression.

"All responsibility for the bloodshed will rest with the conscience of the ruling regime in Ukraine," President Putin said.

"No one should doubt that a direct attack on our country will lead to defeat and dire consequences for any potential aggressor," he said.

As previously reported, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, which could be the start of a war in Europe over Russia's demands for an end to NATO's eastward expansion.

Shortly after President Putin spoke in a special televised address on Russian state TV, explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, before dawn. Gunfire was heard near the capital's main airport, the Interfax news agency said.

Explosions also rocked the breakaway city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine and civilian aircraft were alerted as the United States said a major attack by Russia on its neighbor was imminent.