Putin declares the start of a "special military operation" in Ukraine 

"The decision about a special military operation has been made. We will seek to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine," Putin said.The Russian president said that his plans "do not include the occupation of Ukrainian territories" and they "are not going to impose anything or anyone by force."Putin repeated propaganda clichés about "genocide by the Kyiv regime" and said that the Russian Federation would strive "to bring to justice those who have committed numerous bloody crimes against civilians, including citizens of the Russian Federation."Putin's address was broadcast as the UN Security Council convened for an emergency meeting. It was initiated by Ukraine in connection with the appeal of the leaders of the illegal armed groups "DPR" and "LPR" Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik to Putin. They asked Russia to help "in repulsion of aggression" allegedly from Ukraine.On Feb. 23, according to U.S. media, including Newsweek and CNN, the United States warned Ukrainian authorities that Russia was preparing for a full-scale invasion in Ukraine within the next 48 hours. A Pentagon source told reporters that the Russian operation would be complex. It will likely begin with a cyber attack, followed by a ground invasion, which will likely take place overnight. According to Newsweek's interlocutors, the operation will not be limited to a ground invasion but will include air strikes and firing of winged missiles.The publication pointed out that shortly after Newsweek learned about the US forecasts, some government websites in Ukraine stopped working. The State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine confirmed that there had been a cyberattack against Ukraine on February 23 (at the moment, some websites, such as those of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Security Service of Ukraine, are still inaccessible).At night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recorded a video address to Russians, in which he said that there were about 200,000 Russian soldiers along the Ukrainian border. He stressed that Ukraine does not want war and is ready for negotiations, but will defend itself if attacked. "If they try to take away our country, our freedom, our lives, the lives of our children – we will defend ourselves. Not attack – defend ourselves. When you attack, you will see our faces. Not our backs. Our faces," said the head of state.