Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has declared a state of emergency in Russia over the start of a military operation in Ukraine, Delfi reports.

After the sitting of the State Defense Council, he said that the decision will be approved by the Seimas at a special sitting.

Nausėda also addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin, the people of Russia, calling for an end to hostilities in Ukraine and a return to peace.

It should be reminded that in the early morning of 24 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a message announcing the decision to launch a special military operation in Donbas.

“Circumstances require us to take decisive and immediate action. The Donbas People’s Republics have appealed to Russia. “I have decided to launch a special military operation in this regard,” Putin said in a televised address to Russian citizens.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that from 05:00 (07:00 Yerevan time) on Thursday, the Russian Armed Forces carried out intensive attacks on Ukrainian military facilities and airports.

The Verkhovna Rada has declared martial law in Ukraine. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine announces the preliminary number of victims and wounded.