The Russian government claims to have destroyed 74 Ukrainian facilities, including 11 air bases, during the first night of its full-scale invasion of the Eastern European nation of Ukraine. The announcement comes as Ukraine is calling upon all international partners to assist in the war effort while arming all Ukrainians who want to fight with firearms. In addition, Ukraine is reporting that it has downed a half-dozen Russian aircraft.
The Associated Press reported Thursday morning that “Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered that Ukrainian servicemen be treated ‘with respect’ and those who lay down their weapons offered safe corridors,” after he announced that 74 facilities had been destroyed.
While Ukraine is saying that it has shot down five Russian fighter jets and one helicopter, “The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the loss of a Su-25 attack jet due to ‘pilot error,'” but so far has not commented on any other losses.
As The Daily Wire reported earlier on Thursday, the Ukrainian government is launching an all hands-on deck operation, offering any Ukrainian citizen a firearm who wants to join the army to protect their country against Russian forces:
“We will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country. Be ready to support Ukraine in the squares of our cities,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement. “We will lift sanctions on all citizens of Ukraine who are ready to defend our country as part of territorial defense with weapons in hands.”
The Ukrainian government also asked all international partners to sever ties with Russia because of its military actions.
Immediately after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced as “special military operation” into Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden pledged to work with NATO allies and Ukraine to “hold Russia accountable.” He is expected to announce more plans soon.
Biden said in his initial statement:
The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. 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. … Tomorrow, I will meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning and then speak to the American people to announce the further consequences the United States and our Allies and partners will impose on Russia for this needless act of aggression against Ukraine and global peace and security. We will also coordinate with our NATO Allies to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the Alliance.
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