Explosions heard in Ukraine as Putin announces military operation

As diplomats at the United Nations implored Russian President Vladimir Putin to pull back from the brink of an invasion into Ukraine, Putin announced in a nationally televised address that his country would conduct a military operation in eastern Ukraine.

Explosions have been heard by NPR correspondents in the capital Kyiv, in the eastern city of Kharkiv, close to the border with Russia, and in the port city of Odesa in the south of the country.

Explosions have also been heard on the outskirts of Kramatorsk, a town in the Donbas region controlled by Ukraine.

Putin said the goal of the operation was the "demilitarization" of Ukraine. He urged Ukrainian troops to lay down their weapons and warned outside countries to not interfere.

U.S. President Joe Biden called Putin's actions an "unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine" and warned of "a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.

Biden is to make an address on Thursday after a meeting with G7 leaders scheduled for 9 a.m. ET.

Putin added that Russia "doesn't have a goal to occupy Ukraine," and that the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian "regime."