Putin said the residents in the four annexed regions will now be Russia's "citizens forever".
Swiatek no fan of 'Iga's Bakery' memes after serving up another double bagel
Countries like Russia cannot be "locked up" behind the iron curtain, the Russian presidential spokesman asserted on Thursday, as the US-led West threatened to impose more biting sanctions against Moscow after President Vladimir Putin ordered a military offensive against Ukraine.
As Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a 'military operation' in eastern Ukraine, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby revealed at a press conference in Washinton, DC, on Wednesday that 'Secretary Austin (US Secretary of Defense General Lloyd Austin III) ordered the additional movement of some US forces that are currently stationed in Europe to continue our support for NATO allies in the defense of the Eastern Flank.'
With the first anniversary of the Russian invasion coming up on February 24, Vladimir Putin's army has stepped up its military operations against Ukraine.
American Athing Mu shook off the disappointment of her third-place finish at worlds to win the women's 800 metres in 1:54.97, holding off Britain's Keely Hodgkinson, who finished second in 1:55.19.
Glimpses of the pro-Ukrainian demonstration in London on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, as the United States warned of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russian bombardment continued to devastate Mykolaiv, Luhansk, Chasiv Yar, Bakhmut and Donbas in Ukraine.
Murray knocked out by Fritz in Washington
'A show of solidarity for Ukraine will be visible at all Premier League matches from March 5-7'
Geopolitical tensions simmered at the US Open on Thursday as Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk refused the customary handshake at the net when Belarusian Victoria Azarenka defeated her 6-2, 6-3 in the second round.
The military conflict around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine -- Europe's largest nuclear plant -- has raised fears of an accident worse than the Chernobyl accident in 1986.
Canada Soccer has cancelled a friendly between the men's national team and Iran next month following widespread opposition to the fixture.
"We have also assisted nationals from other countries, who approached us, in their return to their respective countries. And we will remain open to doing so in the coming days."
