Early Thursday morning, Russia reportedly launched a full-scale invasion into Ukraine, according to U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Rubio, Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, tweeted, “The Russian invasion of Ukraine is now underway.”
“In the hours to come, Russia will conduct strikes on air defense systems, move to cut off Kyiv from eastern Ukraine, [and] move to cut off Ukraine’s military forces on the line of contact in the east to prevent them from falling back to defend Kyiv,” Rubio added.
Rubio also announced that Russia has begun launching long-range missiles toward Ukraine and has aircraft on the way to the country to carry out additional strikes.
“Russian aircraft are now en route to conduct additional targeted strikes on a number of key defense sites through all of Ukraine,” Rubio tweeted. “Long range missile launches from #Russia are now underway[.] They are headed towards various pre-selected military sites throughout Ukraine.”
“What is underway is a full scale & comprehensive military assault throughout Ukraine,” Rubio added. “Airborne & amphibious landings, missile strikes from air, ground & naval forces, electronic & cyber attacks & a large ground force to occupy a large swath of territory.”
The news comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his country would be conducting a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
“I urge you to immediately lay down your weapons and go home. All servicemen of the Ukrainian army who fulfil this demand will be able to freely leave the combat zone and return to their families,” Putin said, adding, “I have decided to conduct a special military operation.”