by Tyler Durden at ZeroHedge
Update (525pm ET): In the latest development out of the Donbas, Reuters reports that under its new agreement with separatist leaders, Russia has a right to build and establish military bases in eastern Ukraine.
BREAKING: Russia’s agreements just signed with the LPR and DPR give the right to use military infrastructure and military bases on each other’s territory, and provide for joint protection of the borders of Donbass
— ASB News / MILITARY〽️ (@ASBMilitary) February 21, 2022
Meanwhile, as the night progresses in eastern Ukraine, we are now getting footage of “peacekeepers” being bussed in to the Donbas across the border.
#Ukraine: Footage of #Russia’s military “peacekeepers” being bussed in to the Donbas across the border. This is essentially the beginning of the invasion. pic.twitter.com/7pUgkJrJzQ
— Jake Hanrahan (@Jake_Hanrahan) February 21, 2022
* * *
Update (422pmET): It appears that boots are about to hit the ground. According to various media outlets, Putin has ordered a the Russian military to “secure the peace” in the Eastern Ukraine’s breakaway regions of Donetsk and Lugansk.
#BREAKING Putin orders Russian military to ‘maintain peace’ in Ukraine rebel regions pic.twitter.com/rXWrMl7rEH
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 21, 2022
The Russian president officially signed the decree recognizing the independence of two breakaway regions earlier on Monday. He has instructed the Russian Defense Ministry to send peacekeepers into the Donbass, while telling the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish diplomatic relations with both Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.
Putin has ordered Russian troops into Ukraine.
The decrees on recognizing the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics order the Russian armed forces to go into separatist territory on peacekeeping missions. pic.twitter.com/cjKMidlD4Q
— max seddon (@maxseddon) February 21, 2022
TBH Russian troops were in Donbas since 2014. But now they will be overt and with air support. https://t.co/HH4qg7JePt
— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) February 21, 2022
Convoy militar ruso llegando a Donetsk pic.twitter.com/8MEH4CYyLG
— 6w (@6w_es) February 21, 2022
And while Russian troops appear headed for the Donbas, Ukraine troops are now moving toward Kharkiv, located due north of the separatist areas…
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