President of Ukraine assures that the Russian invasion would begin on February 16
President Volodimir Zelensky stated through a video on his official Facebook account that the Russian attack would begin on February 16
With 130,000 soldiers, Russia has advanced to what seems like an imminent attack. Zelensky announced that according to military counterintelligence they plan to start the attack on Wednesday, a day that, according to his statements, will be the day of unity.
Zelenski signed the agreements for the decree of the Day of the Unity in the Ukraine, as a response to the information received of the beginning of the Russian attack.
He noted that on that day, the citizens of Ukraine will wave their flags and wear blue and yellow ribbons to show the world the Ukrainian unity.
According to the document, the purpose of the decree is to strengthen the consolidation of the Ukrainian population and increase its resistance in the context of the consequent and imminent international threats.
The statement said that the Ukrainian flag will be hoisted in Ukrainian homes and public institutions and at 10:00 (Ukrainian time) Ukrainians will sing the national anthem "with one voice."
International diplomatic envoys have been urged to carry out all activities involving support for the unity of Ukrainian citizens.
On the other hand, the authorities will launch an official communication mechanism to provide real-time daily information to all of Ukraine on the state of the conflict and the measures taken on security issues to increase the nation's defensive capabilities.
Days ago, the president of the United States, Joe Biden, communicated to his international allies that the Russian attack could begin around the date of February 16.
On the other hand, Ukraine had announced that there were no indications to ensure that Russia would start attacking in the short term.
On several occasions, Russian spokesmen have denied their plans to attack Ukraine, affirming that these are military exercises within their territorial sovereignty, while blaming the West for creating panic with an alleged invasion of Ukrainian territory.
Statements prior to the announcement of the attack
Hours before, Zelenski considered that it has been a huge mistake, on the part of some countries, to have withdrawn diplomatic personnel from Kiev.
In a joint press conference with his German counterpart, Olaf Scholz, Zelensky mislabeled these evacuations, but assured that they were his decisions.
On the other hand, Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, responded to Joe Biden's claims about an imminent Russian attack this week, assuring that the situation is under control and they are aware of the situation.
Danilov, urges to remain calm, since there are no indications that a large-scale invasion may take place on February 16 and 17.
The defense secretary held a meeting with senior leaders of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) on defense measures against Russian threats.
Faced with a constant threat from Russia, it has guaranteed that the Ukrainian armed forces, together with the security forces, are prepared for any challenge that may arise.
On Saturday, President Zelensky declared that the situation is under control and asked his citizens not to panic.
In the south of Ukraine, in the Kherson region, military exercises of the Ukrainian armed forces are taking place, where Zelensky requested that anyone with information about a Russian invasion should provide it immediately.
It is estimated that more than 100,000 Russian soldiers are deployed along the Ukrainian border, while also carrying out military exercises in the Black Sea and in Belarus, which is a short distance from the capital, Kiev.
From the West they fear that the start of the invasion will come from Minsk along with air strikes on kyiv.
Italian diplomatic mission mobilizes to Russia and Ukraine
The Italian Foreign Minister will travel to Ukraine on Tuesday and to Russia on Wednesday, at the height of a conflict that affects all of Europe.
As confirmed by sources from the Italian Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio will first go to Ukraine and later travel to Russia.
From Rome, the foreign minister assured that Italy is fully prepared to send a clear message of unity to Russia, in full support of the allies of Europe, NATO and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to encourage an armed de-escalation and minimize all kinds of aggression against European territory.