BREAKING
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Wednesday night, ending weeks of diplomatic stalemate and plunging Eastern Europe into a nightmare of violence and bloodshed not seen since the darkest days of World War II.
The Russian leader claimed Russia was undertaking a “special military operation” to demilitarize the country.
Immediately following the televised speech, which aired before 6 a.m. local time, sounds of explosions were heard in Kramatorsk, followed by reports of sounds of explosions or artillery firing were reported in Kharkiv, Odessa, Mariupol and capital city Kyiv.
There were also reports of explosions and artillery fire in Kharkiv, Odessa, and Mariupol — all major cities in Ukraine.
He threatened...