Russia Ukraine crisis: Putin announces military operation in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, claiming it's intended to protect civilians.

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In a televised address, Putin said the action comes in response to threats coming from Ukraine. He added that Russia doesn't have a goal to occupy Ukraine. Putin said the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian ?regime?.

Russia's Putin announces a 'military operation' in Ukraine, calls on Ukraine military to 'lay down its arms': AFP pic.twitter.com/jf9M3FU6ir

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Putin warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to consequences they have never seen?. 

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NATO का विस्तार स्वीकार नहीं: पुतिन#RussiaUkraineZeeReport #RussiaUkraineConflict pic.twitter.com/S3CIL05P4h

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Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he believes Russia will invade Ukraine within hours after separatists on Wednesday asked for Russian help to repel "aggression" and as explosions rocked the breakaway eastern city of Donetsk, reported Reuters.

Blinken told NBC News he expected Russian forces would attack Ukraine overnight although he still held out hope for diplomacy to pull Europe back from the brink of war.

"Everything seems to be in place for Russia to engage in a major aggression against Ukraine," Blinken said in an interview, adding he could not be precise about time or place.

The United Nations Security Council will discuss Ukraine on Wednesday night, diplomats said, the 15-member body`s second late night meeting on the crisis this week. Ukraine requested the meeting, backed by the United States and five other council members, after the separatist request for Russian help.

Hours after the sepratists issued their plea, at least five explosions were heard in the separatist-held eastern Ukraine city of Donetsk on Thursday morning, a Reuters witness said. Four military trucks were seen heading to the scene, but the cause of the explosions was not known.

Convoys of military equipment including nine tanks were seen moving towards Donetsk on Wednesday from the direction of the Russian border, a Reuters witness reported.

Agencies