Putin's Russia is escalating the conflict with Ukraine: what happened on Thursday night
Created: 02/25/2022, 05:35
By: Franziska Schwarz
This satellite image shows the use of artillery in the city of Malakeevo in Russia.
© Uncredited/Maxar Technologies/dpa
Fighting has been reported from Ukraine since the night.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks of a "military operation".
A NATO crisis meeting is coming up.
Munich - While many were sleeping in Germany, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has escalated.
The most important thing from Thursday night (February 24th):
Wednesday evening (February 23):
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says separatists in eastern Ukraine have asked Russia for "help" in "repelling aggression" by the Ukrainian army.
The parliament in Kiev had previously decided on a nationwide state of emergency.
Shortly after midnight
: Ukraine closes its airspace "because of the high security risk".
Around 3 a.m.
(Central European Time): The UN Security Council is calling an emergency meeting in New York at short notice.
Around 4 a.m
.: Russian President Vladimir Putin announces a “military operation” in Ukraine.
In the televised address (Thursday night in Russia) he called on the Ukrainian military to "lay down their arms".
Shortly thereafter, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared a state of war across the country.
Around 5 a.m
.: US President Joe Biden speaks of a “premeditated war” by Putin* “that will lead to catastrophic loss of life and human suffering”.
The US and its allies would impose consequences on Russia for this "unprovoked and unjustified attack."
Biden calls Zelenskyj and assures him of US support.
There are already reports that explosions can be heard in the capital Kiev and other Ukrainian cities.
Around 6 a.m
.: Ukrainian border guards report that not only Putin is attacking Ukraine, but also Belarus' President Lukashenko.
A war is now in full swing in Europe.
Around 6:30
a.m.: Chancellor Olaf Scholz* (SPD*) also phoned Selenskyj and assured him “Germany’s full solidarity in this difficult hour”. Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit announced this in a tweet.
From 8:30 a.m
.: The ambassadors of the 30 NATO countries want to meet in Brussels for a crisis meeting because of the escalation.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict is finally escalating.
The celebrity world in Germany is also shocked by the outbreak of war.
Sarah Engels, Danni Büchner and Motsi Mabuse set an example on Thursday morning.
(frs with material from AFP and dpa) *Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA