Putin announces 'military operation' in Ukraine to support pro-Moscow separatists

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin today announced a military operation in Ukraine to defend separatists in the east of the country, after indicating that they had been subject to a genocide.

The command centers of the Ukrainian army in Kyiv and Kharkiv were subjected to missile attacks, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, the Interfax news agency said Russian forces had carried out landing operations for soldiers in Odessa and Mariupol.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister stated that his country is under all-out war from Russia, while the head of NATO strongly condemned the Russian attack, describing it as a "reckless" that endangers an infinite number of lives.

Separately, Putin, through a televised speech, called on to Ukrainian soldiers to "lay down" their arms to ensure that they are not exposed to any obstacles, AFP reported.

Putin, on his part, promised those who face the Russians an immediate response and consequences "they have not seen before."