Thu, February 24, 2022, 6:51 AM

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine on Thursday, as President Vladimir Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to „consequences you have never seen.”

Anticipating international condemnation and countermeasures, Putin issued a stark warning to other countries not to meddle, saying, „whoever tries to impede us, let alone create threats for our country and its people, must know that the Russian response will be immediate and lead to the consequences you have never seen in history.”

Putin urged Ukrainian servicemen to „immediately put down arms and go home.”

In a stark reminder of Russia’s nuclear power, Putin warned that „no one should have any doubts that a direct attack on our country will lead to the destruction and horrible consequences for any potential aggressor.”