LATEST update on Ukraine Russia war ( ABP News)

Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a military operation in eastern Ukraine on Thursday while the UN Security Council was holding an emergency meeting to dissolve the tensions . Shortly after Putin spoke in a special televised address on Russian state TV, explosions could be heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Gunfire rattled near the capital's main airport, the Interfax news agency said. Putin said he had authorised a special military operation in breakaway areas of eastern Ukraine and clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces were only a matter of time. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made a direct and strong appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his troops from attacking Ukraine and "give peace a chance". NATO condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine in the strongest terms. "We call on Russia to immediately seize its military action & withdraw from Ukraine," said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.