Vladimir Putin put many people on edge Sunday by placing his nuclear forces on high alert for what he said were “aggressive statements” by top NATO powers. In other words, in response to the sanctions placed on Russian financial institutions, his oligarch friends, and the Russian president himself.
The Pentagon responded to the move by saying it was an “unnecessary and dangerous move.”
A Defense Department official told reporters, “Russia is under no threat from the United States and its NATO allies, and a miscalculation could be dangerous.”
It’s clear from reports that Putin’s plan to quickly storm into Ukraine and take over key cities, including the capital, is not going according to plan. Fighting is underway Sunday in Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, with images and video on social media showing Russian military vehicles roaming the city.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office said there would be potential peace talks with Russia near Belarus’s border.
The Associated Press reports that the United Nations confirmed at least 240 civilian casualties and at least 64 deaths in the fighting since the invasion began on Tuesday. However, the actual number is believed to be much higher.
Over 200,000 people have fled Ukraine, and reports say up to 4 million people may leave for neighboring counties if the fighting continues.
Add comment