Putin threatens countries 'tempted to intervene' in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin.
(Image credit: Mikhail Klimentyev/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to fend off anyone who wants to help Ukraine amid his military action against the country, threatening to deliver "consequences as you have never experienced in your history."

Early Thursday morning, Putin announced he authorized a "special military operation" in Ukraine, claiming that Russia needs to take "swift action" to demilitarize the country. Soon after, explosions were heard in Kyiv, followed by the sustained wails of air raid sirens.

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.