Featured Image Credit: CNN
Topics: Russia, World News, TV and Film
Tom Wood
Explosions in the Ukrainian capital Kiev interrupted the live broadcast of a CNN journalist, as Russia launched a 'military operation' in the country. You can see the broadcast in the video below.
Matthew Chance was reporting on the situation when a series of loud bangs happened right behind him.
He reported that he’d heard ‘a big bang right here behind me’, adding: “There are big explosions taking place in Kyiv right now, I can’t see where they’re taking place from this vantage point here on top of the roof of the hotel in central Kyiv.
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“I can’t explain what they are... I heard four or five explosions moments ago.”
His colleague in the studio was clearly concerned for him, interrupting the broadcast to ask if it was safe where he was at the time.
After responding that he believed it was, he took some time out to don a flak jacket and helmet.
This whole scene took place just before Vladimir Putin declared a ‘military operation’ in the region, a de facto declaration of war.
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It’s not clear where the explosions were coming from, but it seems likely that Russia’s invasion could be behind them.
US President Joe Biden promised that ‘the world will hold Russia accountable’ for their actions.
He tweeted: “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way,
“The world will hold Russia accountable.”
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps.
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“President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
“The UK and our allies will respond decisively.”
Putin gave a surprise speech in the early hours of this morning, calling for the Ukrainian military to lay down their arms, and declaring: “I have made the decision for a military operation.”
The Russian President said that the aim is to ‘protect people who for eight years have been suffering persecution and genocide by the Kyiv regime.’
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He continued: "For this we will aim for demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, as well as bringing to justice those who carried out multiple bloody crimes against civilians, including citizens of the Russian Federation,
"Our plans do not include occupying Ukrainian territory."
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said: “Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes.
“This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win.
“The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”