Biden condemns "Russia's unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine"

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. President Joe Biden condemned Russia's "unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces" in a statement Wednesday, February 24 evening following explosions in Ukraine, CNN reports.

The U.S. and allies are planning on Thursday to trigger the "full scale" of the sanctions that have been discussed over the last several weeks in response to the attack, according to a senior Biden administration official.

"President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering," Biden said. "Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable."

The White House statement came in response to explosions across Ukraine, including in the capital of Kyiv. Shortly before the explosions began, Russian President Vladmir Putin announced a "special military operation" and called for Ukraine's "demilitarization" in televised remarks.

An adviser for the interior minister of Ukraine, Anton Gerashchenko, said Russia's "invasion has begun" with "missile strikes on Kyiv," in an official WhatsApp group with journalists.

The early assessment from the US is that this is the start of the full Russian invasion, according to a senior US official familiar with the latest US intelligence. The source said the belief is that the explosions heard near Kyiv and Odessa are likely missiles, while those around Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine are likely artillery, given the proximity to the border.