Russian Invasion Marks another Dark Chapter in Europe
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo via Twitter called for an end to the armed conflict in Ukraine. "Stop war. War afflicts mankind and endangers the world," the President tweeted on Thursday.
A Ukrainian serviceman carries an NLAW anti-tank weapon during an exercise in the Joint Forces Operation, in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, Feb. 15, 2022. As the U.S. and other NATO members warn of the potential for a devastating war, Russia is not countering with bombs or olive branches -- but with sarcasm.
The world’s leaders have warned of the devastating impact of Russia's attack on Ukraine. Although it has not yet stated it will provide a military response to Russia, NATO is on alert.
KIEV, THURSDAY — Russian forces attacked Ukraine from a number of directions, both land, sea and air, on Thursday (24/2/2022). Russian missiles were launched towards cities in Ukraine, targeting Ukraine's defense infrastructure. Dozens of people, including civilians, were reported killed.
Russia's attack on Ukraine has been described as the largest single-state attack in Europe since World War II. The outbreak of this open conflict marked the culmination of the conflict between Russia and Western countries, which are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), by dragging in Ukraine.
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Various diplomatic efforts have been carried out since November 2021, when NATO announced the deployment of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border, but failed. The Russian invasion began soon after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a "special military operation" into Ukraine, just three days after his recognition of the sovereignty of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, which were controlled by pro-Russian separatists.
The world’s leaders strongly condemned the Russian attack. "Don't allow to start in Europe what could be the worst war since the beginning of this century. The conflict must be stopped," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a direct appeal to Putin.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo via Twitter called for an end to the armed conflict in Ukraine. "Stop war. War afflicts mankind and endangers the world," the President tweeted on Thursday.
NATO has been on full alert following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. European Union leaders are preparing to impose a second phase of economic sanctions targeting Russia's trade, energy, finance, transport and other key sectors.
The Russian invasion began with the launch of missiles, accompanied by the movement of Russian troops across the border and into the Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Luhansk regions. From the sea side, Russian troops also landed in the southern port cities of Odessa and Mariupol. The sound of explosions was heard in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Twitter likened Russia's invasion of Ukraine to Nazi Germany's military operations during World War II. He declared martial law status in Ukraine. “Russia
attacked Ukraine in a cowardly and suicidal way like the Nazis. Starting today, we take a different path. Russia embarked on the path of evil, while Ukraine defended itself," he wrote.
NATO said it would not send troops to Ukraine, but would put 100 warplanes on standby.
The European Union's head of foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, said this was the darkest time in Europe since World War II. NATO said it would not send troops to Ukraine, but would put 100 warplanes on standby.
Ukraine, a democratic country of 44 million people, is the largest country in Europe after Russia. After becoming independent following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine wanted to join NATO and the European Union.
A convoy of Russian armored vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea, Jan. 18, 2022. Amid a buildup of Russian troops near Ukraine, Moscow has denied planning an attack on Ukraine but urged the U.S. and its allies to provide a binding pledge that NATO won't expand to Ukraine and won't deploy military assets there _ a demand rejected by the West.
According to Moscow, Ukraine’s plan to join NATO poses a threat to Russia's security. If Ukraine enters NATO, other NATO members can place weapons in the country. “We will fight for the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine. Russia cannot feel safe, thrive and live with the constant threats emanating from the territory of modern Ukraine. All responsibility for the bloodshed will rest with the conscience of the ruling regime in Ukraine," said Putin when announcing the attack.
Citizen panic
Despite warnings in recent months, Russia's attacks on Ukrainians have come as a shock. Residents living in the second-largest city, Kharkiv, and near the Russian border, felt intense vibrations in their windows and apartment walls as a result of the repeated explosions. In the cities of Mangush and Berdyansk, residents lined up to withdraw money at ATMs and to buy petrol. Many residents packed up to save themselves.
In Brovary, a city near the capital Kiev, at least six people died. Ukraine also reported five people were killed when a plane was shot down.
As of 10 p.m., it was reported that dozens of people had died as a result of the attack. Odessa authorities said 18 people were killed in the missile attack. In Brovary, a city near the capital Kiev, at least six people died. Ukraine also reported five people were killed when a plane was shot down.
The head of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi warned that the humanitarian consequences for Ukraine would be severe. Ukraine's neighbors were urged to keep their borders open and accept refugees.
People, some carrying bags and suitcases, walk at a metro station in Kyiv early on February 24, 2022. - Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine on Thursday with explosions heard soon after across the country and its foreign minister warning a "full-scale invasion" was underway.
Responding to the current situation in Ukraine, Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry has prepared contingency measures for Indonesian citizens in Ukraine. The director of the Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the ministry, Judha Nugraha, explained that the Indonesian embassy in Kiev asked 138 Indonesian citizens in Ukraine to gather at the Indonesian embassy in Kiev if evacuation was necessary.
Indonesian citizens who could not come to Kiev, continued Judha, were advised to go to their closest gathering point. The Indonesian embassy in Kiev coordinated with the Indonesian embassies in Moscow, Bucharest and Warsaw to prepare a contingency strategy. As of Thursday, there was no certainty whether Indonesian citizens would be evacuated from Ukraine.
(REUTERS/AFP/CAS/WKM/INA/RAZ/DNE/JOS/MHD/LUK)
(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi)
