Updated as of Feb. 24, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. to include additional background on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
This is a developing story, check back for more updates.
United States President Joe Biden addressed the nation today in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The invasion began last night in the eastern portion of Ukraine as a three-pronged assault with air, missile and ground troop strikes on Ukrainian military facilities, according to AP News. The attack escalated into a multi-city attack early this morning, with at least 40 reported deaths.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed it has destroyed 83 Ukrainian military facilities — with Ukrainian leadership reporting they have lost control of the Chernobyl nuclear site.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the invasion a “special military operation,” but it is the biggest attack from one European country against another since World War II, according to a Reuters report. The military action in civilian areas is in violation of the agreements between Ukraine and Russia, such as the Minsk agreements, a ceasefire signed in 2014.
Putin also warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with Ukraine would lead to “consequences you have never seen before in history,” implying nuclear threat.
Elon University professor and political historian Mark Dalhouse joined Elon News Network live this morning to offer insight as the invasion continues. Dalhouse said it is vital for Elon students to be aware of what's happening because this is not happening in isolation.
“The ramifications from this action are going to spill over and into all of our lives, we all are going to be looking at increased fuel prices, increased food prices, in the coming days, we don't know what this is going to mean for the markets, this is an era of instability,” Dalhouse said. “And it's likely to get worse before it gets better.”
Biden announced a new round of sanctions targeting Russian banks and high-tech sectors. The U.S. will also deploy forces to Germany to bolster NATO, according to the president’s address, which happened just hours after meeting with the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Italy and Japan, as well as the president of the European Commission, the European Council president and the NATO secretary general.
Since the invasion began, protests have broken out internationally, from within Russia to New York City.
“This will affect all of us, all of us have an interest in this. This is a fundamental, potentially a fundamental reordering of the world's security apparatus,” Dalhouse said. “That can be really significant.”