NATO officials say Russian attack on Ukraine has begun
get the free appRussia has begun attacking Ukraine, according to NATO officials. The late-night attack began moments after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he had "decided to conduct a special military operation" to protect eastern Ukraine's Donbas region. CBS News correspondents reported hearing loud blasts in the capital city, Kyiv, and in the eastern city of Kharkiv.
In his speech on Russian state TV, Putin said his plans did not include an occupation of Ukraine.
The attack came just two days after Putin recognized the self-declared "People's Republics" of Donetsk and Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, as independent, sending shockwaves across the globe and a new round of sanctions from the West. Putin also ordered Russian forces into the breakaway region for what he called "peacekeeping functions."
Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia's move to recognize the two territories "a clear attack on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," and on Tuesday, President Biden said Russia's invasion of Ukraine had begun. Ukrainians — both the country's military and its civilians — have been bracing for an expansion of the eight-year war in Donbas for weeks.
On Wednesday, the government in Kyiv called up military reservists and lawmakers approved a national state of emergency. The emergency declaration gave authorities more power to "strengthen security of public places" outside of Donetsk and Luhansk, Ukraine's national security chief Oleksiy Danilov said.
Russia had massed roughly 190,000 forces near the Ukrainian border, and Mr. Biden on Friday said he was "convinced" Putin had decided to invade.
Ukrainian foreign minister says the country "will win" in Russia's "war of aggression"
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's minister of foreign affairs, tweeted that Ukraine "will defend itself and will win."
"Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes," he wrote. "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."
Hope for diplomatic solution evaporates
Congressional leaders were notified of the Russian attack on Ukraine before it began. Two U.S. officials told CBS News that while diplomatic activity will continue, there appears to be little hope of a diplomatic solution at this point. Any continued diplomatic measures would be aimed at underscoring moral outrage of the international community and maintaining unity on sanctions, the officials said.
Emergency meetings are expected to be called at the U.N., NATO and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. G7 and EU leaders may gather as well.
-Margaret Brennan, Mary Hager
NATO secretary general condemns Russia's "reckless and unprovoked attack"
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declared Russia's attack "reckless and unprovoked," and said NATO will do all it must to protect its members.
"Once again, despite our repeated warnings and tireless efforts to engage in diplomacy, Russia has chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country," he said.
Stoltenberg called Russia's attack a "grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security," and urged Russia to immediately cease all military action.
"NATO Allies will meet to address the consequences of Russia's aggressive actions," he added. "We stand with the people of Ukraine at this terrible time. NATO will do all it takes to protect and defend all Allies."
Warner says now is the time to "up the pain level for the Russian government"
Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, denounced Russia's attack on Ukraine and said now is the time to "up the pain level for the Russian government."
"For more than 70 years, we have avoided large-scale war in Europe. With his illegal invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has tragically brought decades of general peace to an end," Warner said.
"Now the U.S. and our NATO allies must stand united and resolute against Putin's efforts to renew the Russian empire at the expense of the Ukrainian people. President Biden has already imposed an initial tranche of sanctions, and it is now time for us to up the pain level for the Russian government. We should also continue to bolster the defenses of our NATO allies while exploring how we can further help the Ukrainian people in their time of need."
Warner added that the attack on Ukraine "is a tragedy not only for Ukraine, but for the Russian people as well."
"They will pay a steep cost for Putin's reckless ambition, in blood and in economic harm," he said.
Biden to speak Thursday and announce "further consequences" for Russia
President Biden will deliver remarks early Thursday afternoon to announce "further consequences" the U.S. and its allies will impose on Russia for its attack on Ukraine, a White House official tells reporters.
Exactly when the remarks will take place has yet to be announced. The president will be at the White House all day Thursday.
Ukraine says "cruise and ballistic missiles strikes are underway" in Kyiv
A Ukrainian government spokesperson confirmed early Thursday that "cruise and ballistic missile strikes are underway at the control centers" in Kyiv.
Biden: "The world will hold Russia accountable"
President Biden condemned the "unprovoked and unjustified attack" by Russian forces.
"The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering," the president said in a statement.
"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 president said he would be monitoring the developments from the White House and receiving updates from his national security team. He is also scheduled to meet with Group of 7 leaders on Thursday morning and plans to address the nation "to announce the further consequences the United States and our allies and partners will impose on Russia for this needless act of aggression against Ukraine and global peace and security."
The U.S. will also coordinate with NATO allies "to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the Alliance," Mr. Biden said.
Explosions mark beginning of Russian invasion of Ukraine
Explosions heard by CBS News journalists in Kyiv and Kharkiv are the beginning of a Russian invasion, a NATO official confirmed to CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.
This shelling is expected to continue up until daybreak, and then ground operations will begin. That could potentially include airborne troops, either carried by helicopters or jumping as paratroopers. That would likely be followed by tanks coming across the border in a "classic invasion force" going into Ukraine, Martin reports.
-David Martin, Kathryn Watson
Russia facing sanctions, "further consequences" to come
In response to Putin's recognition of the breakaway regions, Mr. Biden issued an executive order barring "new investment, trade and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in" Donetsk and Luhansk and imposing sanctions that target the regions.
Mr. Biden also imposed economic sanctions on two Russian banks, VEB and Promsvyazbank, and five Russian oligarchs, as well as on Nord Stream 2 AG, the company building the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, and its corporate officers in response to Russia's escalating aggression against Ukraine.
The White House has stressed the measures make up a first tranche of sanctions, issued alongside Western allies, with the U.S. and partners poised to impose harsher penalties if Russia continued to escalate.
Mr. Biden said in a statement he will announce "further consequences" on Russia for the attack on Ukraine on Thursday.
Biden "closely monitoring" developments in Ukraine, White House says
President Biden is "closely monitoring" the developments in Ukraine and is receiving updates from national security adviser Jake Sullivan, White House press secretary Jen Psaki tweeted ahead of Putin's remarks announcing the "special military operation" in eastern Ukraine.
Psaki said the president also spoke with U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield before the U.N. Security Council meeting Wednesday evening.