Putin Sends Military Into Ukraine's Donbas, Explosions Heard In Some Cities

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced military action in Ukraine's Donbas region in a television address early Thursday.

Russia also issued a NOTAM, or notice to airmen, closing flight routes bordering north-eastern Ukraine for civilian aircraft until May 18.

Social media videos showed explosions lighting up several Ukrainian cities after the Russian announcement. Social media also showed videos of apparent Russian missile barrages. International Business Times could not independently verify the authenticity of these videos.

CNN reported hearing loud explosions in Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine. Social media posts talked of blasts in the Boryspil area to the east of the capital, near the international airport; Kramatorsk; and Mariupol.

Putin urged Ukrainian forces to lay down arms in his address, but also said: “Our plans are not to occupy Ukraine, we do not plan to impose ourselves on anyone."

The Donbas area in eastern Ukraine contains the two separatist-held regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, which the Russian government recognized as independent entities on Monday.

Putin's action came despite the United States and its European allies putting up a united front and rolling out an initial tranche of sanctions to deter Russia from military action after the recognition of the breakaway regions. Russia had amassed close to 200,000 troops and heavy weaponry on Ukraine's borders, according to western intelligence, in the biggest buildup of troops in Europe since the end of World War II.

It has also assembled sizeable naval forces in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

President Biden condemned the Russian action, which came close on the heels of a warning by Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there is reason to believe a full Russian invasion in Ukraine could occur before the night is over.

Biden said in a statement released by the White House: "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," Biden said in a statement released by the White House.

"President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. 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."

For more on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, go here