Multiple reports are now quoting Ukrainian officials as saying troops in Belarus are joining the Russian attack, meaning the offensive is now also coming from Ukraine’s north.
Belarus, which is on Ukraine’s northern border, has long been allied with Russia. Analysts describe the small country as Russia’s “client state”.
The attack from the north adds to Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s east, and Russian troop movement on Odessa in the south.
Biden says US and allies will impose severe sanctions
US President Joe Biden says he has spoken with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, and briefed him on the steps he is taking “to rally international condemnation”.
In a statement, Biden says he condemned the attack as “unprovoked and unjustified”.
Zelensky “asked me to call on the leaders of the world to speak out clearly against President Putin’s flagrant aggression, and to stand with the people of Ukraine”, Biden adds.
The US president says he will be meeting with G7 leaders on Thursday, and the US and allies “will be imposing severe sanctions on Russia”.
“We will continue to provide support and assistance to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” he says.