Firefighters put out fires after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv
International media outlets yesterday reported that Russian troops on Wednesday night launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine, as President Vladimir Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions, and warned that any country’s attempt to “interfere” would lead to “consequences you have never seen.”
The invasion had taken a murkier dimension as “big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa, as world leaders decried the start of an invasion that could cause massive casualties, topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government and threaten the post-Cold War balance on the continent.”
A building was reported to have been hit by a large-caliber mortar shell in the village of Ktymske, eastern Ukraine.
According to reports, damaged radar arrays and other equipment were seen at Ukrainian military facility outside Mariupol, Ukraine while dozens of people had been killed as explosions were heard in major cities.
The situation had also resulted in people standing by a vehicle of an Emergency unit to receive medical assistance after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv, as Russian armed forces kept pounding Ukraine from several directions, using rocket systems and helicopters to attack Ukrainian position in the south.
World leaders
Meanwhile, the United State and world leaders have condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with UN Secretary-General, Antonio Gueterres, calling on Putin to halt his military plans.
“President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia. In the name of humanity, do not allow to start in Europe what could be the worst war since the beginning of the century,” he said.
Lithuanian President, Gitanas Nausėda, said only a united and strong response by democratic Western allies could stop Russia.
President Gitanas Nausėda noted that the future of Europe “may depend on how we react in the coming hours and days.
Away from that, U.K. Prime Minster Boris Johnson also added his voice to the conversation. “I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps. President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and our allies will respond decisively.”
US President, Joe Biden, has pledged new sanctions to punish Russia for the aggression. But Putin has justified it all in a televised address, asserting that the attack was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine. He claimed that Russia does not intend to occupy Ukraine, but will move to “demilitarise” it and bring those who committed crimes to justice.
Ghana ‘gravely concerned’
In a related development, Ghana’s government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has said it is gravely concerned about the security and safety of Ghanaians living in Ukraine.
According to the Ministry, the government has, in the meantime, asked over 1,000 students and other Ghanaians to seek help at government places of shelter. This is to ensure their safety temporarily as government “engages the authorities, our relevant diplomatic missions and our honorary consul on further measures.”
The government’s statement comes at a time when the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has called for the immediate evacuation of Ghanaian students from Ukraine.
“As the conflict escalates within the region, governments of countries across the world are prioritising the evacuation of their citizens from the area, to forestall harm to their citizens. Currently, a number of students have fled the region, showing growing insecurity and fear among our students.
“Some of those students, including Chapter Executives of NUGS in Ukraine, have touched down and made contact with the National Secretariat of NUGS, advising that urgent steps be taken to ensure the safety of their colleagues still in the region. As the mother body of Ghanaian students, the safety of our students remains our paramount concern, hence our advocacy for this line of action,” NUGS said in a statement yesterday.
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