This morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the Russians and announced that he had decided on a special military operation in the Ukraine.
    "The circumstances require us to act decisively and immediately. The people's republics of Donbass turned to Russia with a request for help. In this regard, in accordance with Article 51, Part 7 of the UN Charter, with the approval of the Federation Council and in accordance with the treaties on friendship and mutual assistance ratified by the Federal Assembly with the DPR and the LPR, I decided to conduct a special military operation, "he said.
    Putin also noted that Russia's plans do not include the occupation of Ukraine, but Moscow will strive to demilitarize it.
    "Its goal (special operations) is to protect people who have been bullied, genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years, and for this we will strive to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine, as well as bring to justice those who have committed numerous bloody crimes against civilians, including Russian citizens," Putin said.
    The Ukrainian military was asked to leave the zone of their military operations in order to avoid casualties.
Throughout the day, Russian troops destroyed the military infrastructure of Ukraine, including air defense systems, airfields, warehouses, and military bases.