The Scoop

BREAKING NEWS: Russia Invades Ukraine Under 'Peacekeepers' Ruse

Update: Monday 7:13 pm EST: Reports have come in that Russia has officially invaded Eastern Ukraine. Putin alleged that Ukrainian troops, who have been entangled with rebel forces, struck a school. In response to what appears to be a false flag, Putin ordered troops into Ukraine and warned the country not to respond. The Russian leader claims that this is not an attack but a 'peacekeeper' move to protect the rebels.

Update: Monday 7:00pm EST:

"Putin has ordered Russian troops to “maintain peace” in two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, hours after the Russian president recognized Donetsk and Luhansk as independent entities.

In two official decrees, Putin on Monday instructed the country’s defense ministry to assume “the function of maintaining peace” in the eastern regions."

In an address to the Russian public on Monday, Putin announced that he's recognizing two Russian-controlled separatist regions in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region as independent: the self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.

According to ABC, Biden "swiftly responded" to Putin with sanctions. The White House said Biden will issue an executive order banning "new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine." The order "will also provide authority to impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, adding that the U.S. "will also soon announce additional measures related to today’s blatant violation of Russia’s international commitments.

"While the U.S. says some 190,000 Russian troops and separatist forces are estimated to be massed near Ukraine's borders, Russia has denied any plans to invade and reiterated its demands that the U.S. and NATO bar Ukraine from joining the military alliance.

This has already had an impact on Dow. Stock futures fell sharply on Monday night, as traders continue to monitor brewing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average were down by 476 43 points or 1.4%. S&P 500 futures slid 1.7%, and Nasdaq 100 futures were off by 2.2%.

The U.S. stock market was closed Monday due to the President’s Day holiday. Oil prices rose, with West Texas Intermediate futures jumping 3.6% to $94.30 per barrel.

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Written by E. Shellinder - February 21, 2022