Russia has launched a “full-scale invasion” of Ukraine.
Irish citizens in Ukraine are being urged to shelter in a secure place following reports that Russia has launched a “full-scale invasion” of the country.
On Thursday (24 February), Ukraine Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter:
“[Russian President Vladimir] Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes.
“This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win.
“The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”
Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 24, 2022
Following this, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Ireland issued “urgent consular advice” regarding Ukraine.
“All Irish citizens in Ukraine should shelter in a secure place,” it read.
“Do not move around the country in the coming hours. Please follow the advice of local authorities.
“We will post regular updates on [the DFA’s Twitter] as the situation develops.”
⚠️ Urgent consular advice regarding Ukraine.
All Irish citizens in Ukraine should shelter in a secure place. Do not move around the country in the coming hours. Please follow the advice of local authorities.
We will post regular updates on @dfatirl as the situation develops.
— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) February 24, 2022
Meanwhile, Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney “utterly” condemned Russia for what he called “a shocking murderous act of aggression”.
“Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. God help them,” he said on Twitter.
“Rocket attacks and explosions across the country.
“Make no mistake: this is a shocking murderous act of aggression against a sovereign peaceful state.
“EU and the world needs to respond strongly.
Russia has launched a full scale invasion of Ukraine. God help them.
Rocket attacks & explosions across the country. Make no mistake: this is a shocking murderous act of aggression against a sovereign peaceful state. EU and world needs to respond strongly. @dfatirl— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) February 24, 2022
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent people of Ukraine, as families wake up to shocking Russian attacks.
“Russian leaders are lying to their own people to justify this illegal aggression.
“We utterly condemn Russia for this act of unjustifiable war in the heart of Europe.”
He added that Ireland’s diplomatic team in Kyiv has moved to a safe place and that the Irish Government are in close contact with them and are working with EU colleagues to ensure their safety.
“At the emergency UN Security Council meeting, Ireland condemned the decision of Russia to launch a military operation and called on UNSC [United Nations Security Council] members to ‘assume their responsibility and to speak out in the strongest possible terms about this act of aggression’,” he added.
Main image via Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
