Russian President Vladimir Putin in a televised speech announced a special operation in the Donbass after an appeal for military assistance was sent to Moscow from separatist leaders in the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.
Putin said that the operation is aimed at defending people living in the region and that it does not mean the occupation of Ukraine, denying any plans of an attack and describing the actions as defensive in nature.
The head of state urged Ukrainian soldiers to surrender, noting that "justice and truth" are on the Russian side.