Russia Launches Full-Scale Attack on Ukraine as Major Cities Bombed

This photo shows a view of the city of Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences you have never seen.” (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Early this morning Russia waged a major attack on multiple Ukrainian cities, ending months of speculation and frantic attempts at a diplomatic solution spearheaded by the U.S. and France. Explosions from missile strikes were heard in cities across Ukraine, including the capital city of Kyiv, as well as the country’s airports, as Russia seeks to “demilitarize” Ukraine, said Russian President Vladimir Putin in a speech this morning. U.S. President Joe Biden warned of “consequences” for Russia and a “catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” while Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to Russians to reject a “major war in Europe.”