Russia launches simultaneous attacks on eastern, southern, and northern fronts of Ukraine... "Lay down your weapons and go home" (Comprehensive)

Kiyeop, Odesa, Mariupol: Gunfire Across Ukraine
Russia Claims Precision-Guided Attacks... "Ammunition Shortage, Ground Troops to Deploy"

Areas Reported with Explosion Sounds in Ukraine [Source=Google Maps, CNN]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russia launched simultaneous full-scale attacks on three fronts including Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, as well as the eastern, southern, and northern regions of Ukraine. While Russia claims it has no intention of occupying Ukraine, it is carrying out attacks on major cities and military facilities across the country, raising concerns about significant damage.

According to CNN on the 24th (local time), explosions were reported from around 5 a.m. in major cities across Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv. Explosions were reported not only in Kharkiv, the second-largest city in the east, but also in Odesa on the southern Black Sea coast, central cities Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia, and southeastern Mariupol. CNN reported, "Russian troops stationed near the northern Belarus border have also begun advancing into Ukraine."

Putin: "Ukrainian Soldiers Should Lay Down Arms and Return Home"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a televised address to the nation, stated, "We have decided to conduct a special military operation aimed at the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine," adding, "We have no intention of occupying Ukraine and urge Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms and return home."

The Russian Ministry of Defense emphasized in a statement, "Russian forces are not bombing Ukrainian cities with missiles or other explosives but are neutralizing Ukrainian military facilities, air defense systems, military airfields, and aircraft with precision weapons," and stressed, "No civilian casualties are occurring."

However, the United States reports that Russia has launched military operations across Ukraine. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio stated in a congressional speech that "Russian airborne troops attacked Kyiv airport, amphibious landings are underway in key port cities Mariupol and Odesa, and ground forces are advancing not only in the Donbas region but also from Belarus and the Crimean Peninsula."

Military experts acknowledge that Russia is conducting precision-guided strikes but express concern that large-scale ground forces will soon be deployed to occupy Ukraine entirely. The British Guardian, citing military experts, noted, "Russia does possess effective precision-guided weapons, but due to limited stockpiles of precision-guided munitions, it is likely to opt for occupation through ground troop deployment rather than continuing airstrikes," and pointed out, "This is why Russia is deploying ground forces as quickly as possible."

U.S. and Europe Condemn Russia: "Stop This Unjustified War"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the United States and Western countries have defined Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an unjustified attack and announced a firm response policy. President Biden stated in a declaration, "President Putin has chosen a planned war that will cause deadly loss of life and suffering," adding, "The responsibility for the deaths and destruction caused by this attack lies solely with Russia." He further emphasized, "The entire international community, including allies and partners, will collectively impose harsh sanctions on Russia to hold it accountable." The U.S. plans to submit a Security Council resolution on the 24th to hold Russia responsible for this situation.

Europe also immediately condemned Russia's actions. Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), issued a statement saying, "We strongly condemn Russia's reckless and unjustified attack on Ukraine," and urged, "Cease military actions immediately and respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union (EU) Commission, also warned on Twitter that "Russia's attack on Ukraine is unjustified," and "Russia will be held accountable for this."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.