Putin Declares ‘Special Military Operation’ in Ukraine, Explosions Reported in Multiple Ukrainian Cities

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” in Ukraine on Thursday, local time.

Putin said in an emergency address on Russian TV that the military operation is intended to protect civilians and to demilitarize Ukraine, and is a response to threats coming from Ukraine.

He said that Russia doesn’t plan to occupy Ukraine and said that the Ukrainian military should “immediately lay down its arms.”

Putin also said that any foreign attempt to interfere with Russia’s action will trigger an immediate reaction from Russia, and will lead to “consequences they have not seen before.”