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BOSTON (WBZNewsRadio) - Russia has launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine, hitting cities and bases with airstrikes or shelling, as civilians continue to flee the country.
On Thursday, Ukraine's government said that Russian tanks and troops rolled across the border in a "full-scale war" that could rewrite the geopolitical order. This is the most aggressive action from President Vladimir Putin since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. He deflected global condemnation and cascading new sanctions and threatened any foreign country attempting to interfere.
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WBZ's James Rojas spoke to Ukrainian students in Boston who are watching from Massachusetts. MIT student, Artem Laptiev said students at MIT, Harvard and other schools have been in constant contact with one another since the invasion, trying to figure out what is the best move for them and Ukraine.
Now local leaders in Massachusetts have begun weighing in. Congressman Seth Moulton issued a statement on the invasion of Ukraine by Russia:
“The West tried to find a peaceful solution in Ukraine, but Vladimir Putin rejected diplomacy and chose war. He is solely responsible for the unprovoked bloodshed in Ukraine. He will be held accountable before Russia’s next act of aggression. My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people as they fight for their autonomy and freedom. They did nothing to provoke this violent attack.”
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New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee released a statement:
“With air raid sirens wailing in the distance, the world watched in horror as Putin launched an unprovoked, deadly invasion across Ukraine. My heart goes out to the innocent Ukrainian civilians suffering at the hands of the Kremlin’s unprovoked violence. I commend the brave Ukrainians fighting to defend their country’s freedom and future – the free world stands with you. I appreciate President Biden’s swift response, first directly to President Zelenskyy in the aftermath of Putin’s barrage of violence, and today in coordination with our allies to inflict additional economic consequences on Putin and those responsible for these crimes against a free and sovereign nation. Congress must swiftly resume working in concert with the administration and our allies to provide robust military assistance and support to the Ukrainian people, in addition to severe sanctions to impose the most significant financial damage to Putin to date. Make no mistake: Putin instigated a war so he can fulfill his delusional fantasy of rebuilding the Soviet Union. The West and transatlantic alliance must make it perfectly clear to Putin and any criminal who stands by his side that he cannot rewrite history. The world is watching how we respond to this crisis – the international community must defend our values and international order by punishing Putin for his crimes.”
President Biden is expected to unveil more sanctions against Russia Thursday and will also be addressing the nation later on. Americans, meanwhile, are bracing for soaring prices as a result of Russia's attack with predictions of higher gas prices and higher inflation.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasNews) reports:
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