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Why is Russia invading Ukraine?

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By air, land, and sea, Russia has launched a devastating attack on Ukraine, a European democracy of 44 million people. For months President Vladimir Putin had denied he would invade his neighbour, but then he tore up a peace deal, sending forces across borders in Ukraine’s north, east and south.
As the number of dead climbs, he is now accused of shattering peace in Europe and what happens next could jeopardise the continent’s entire security structure.

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Where have Russian troops attacked and why?

Airports and military headquarters were hit first, near cities across Ukraine, including the main Boryspil international airport in Kyiv.
Then tanks and troops rolled into Ukraine in the north-east, near Kharkiv, a city of 1.4 million people; in the east near Luhansk, from neighbouring Belarus in the north and Crimea in the south. Paratroops seized a key airbase just outside Kyiv and Russian troops landed in Ukraine’s big port cities of Odesa and Mariupol too.

Moments before the invasion began, President Putin went on TV declaring that Russia could not feel “safe, develop and exist” because of what he called a constant threat from modern Ukraine.

 

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Many of his arguments were false or irrational. He claimed his goal was to protect people subjected to bullying and genocide and aim for the “demilitarisation and de-Nazification” of Ukraine. There has been no genocide in Ukraine – it is a vibrant democracy led by a president who is Jewish. “How could I be a Nazi?” said Volodymr Zelensky, who likened Russia’s onslaught to Nazi Germany’s invasion in World War Two.

President Putin has frequently accused Ukraine of being taken over by extremists, ever since its pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted in 2014 after months of protests against his rule. Russia then retaliated by seizing the southern region of Crimea and triggering a rebellion in the east, backing separatists who have fought Ukrainian forces in a war that has claimed 14,000 lives.

Late in 2021 he began deploying big numbers of Russian troops close to Ukraine’s borders. Then this week he scrapped a 2015 peace deal for the east and recognised areas under rebel control as independent.

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Russia has long resisted Ukraine’s move towards the European Union and the West’s defensive military alliance Nato. Announcing Russia’s invasion, he accused Nato of threatening “our historic future as a nation”.

How far will Russia go?

Russia has refused to say if it seeks to overthrow Ukraine’s democratically elected government, although it believes that ideally Ukraine should be “freed, cleansed of the Nazis”. Mr Putin spoke of bringing to court “those who committed numerous bloody crimes against civilians”.

It was a thinly veiled hint and by invading from Belarus and seizing Antonov airport close to the outskirts of Kyiv, there is little doubt that the capital is well within his sights.

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In the days before the invasion, when up to 200,000 troops were within reach of Ukraine’s borders, he had focused his attention on the east.

By recognising the Russian proxy separatist areasof Luhansk and Donetsk as independent, he had already decided they were no longer part of Ukraine. Then he revealed that he supported their claims to far more Ukrainian territory. The self-styled people’s republics cover little more than a third of the whole of Ukraine’s Luhansk and Donetsk regions but the rebels covet the rest, too.

How dangerous is this invasion for Europe?

These are terrifying times for the people of Ukraine and horrifying for the rest of the continent, witnessing a major power invading a European neighbour for the first time since World War Two.
Dozens have died already in what Germany has dubbed “Putin’s war”, both civilians and soldiers. And for Europe’s leaders this invasion has brought some of the darkest hours since the 1940s. It was, said France’s Emmanuel Macron, a turning point in Europe’s history. Recalling the Cold War days of the Soviet Union, Volodymyr Zelensky spoke of Ukraine’s bid to avoid a new iron curtain closing Russia off from the civilised world.

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For the families of both armed forces there will be anxious days ahead. Ukrainians have already suffered a gruelling eight-year war with Russian proxies. The military has called up all reservists aged 18 to 60 years old. Top US military official Mark Milley said the scale of Russian forces would mean a “horrific” scenario with conflict in dense urban areas.

The invasion has knock-on effects for many other countries bordering both Russia and Ukraine. Latvia, Poland and Moldova say they are preparing for a big influx of refugees. A state of emergency has been declared in Lithuania and Moldova, where thousands of women and children have already entered.
This is not a war that Russia’s population was prepared for either, as the invasion was rubber-stamped by a largely unrepresentative upper house of parliament.

What can the West do?

Nato has put warplanes on alert but the Western alliance has made clear there are no plans to send combat troops to Ukraine itself. Instead they have offered advisers, weapons and field hospitals. Meanwhile, 5,000 Nato troops have been deployed in the Baltic states and Poland. Another 4,000 could be sent to Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia.
Instead, the West is targeting Russia’s economy, industry and individuals.
The EU has promised to restrict Russian access to capital markets and cut off its industry from latest technology. It has already imposed sanctions on 351 MPs who backed Russia’s recognition of the rebel-held regions

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Germany has halted approval on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a major investment by both Russia and European companies

The US says it will cut off Russia’s government from Western financial institutions and target high-ranking “elites”

The UK says all major Russian banks would have their assets frozen, with 100 individuals and entities targeted; and Russia’s national airline Aeroflot will also be banned from landing in the UK.

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Ukraine has urged its allies to stop buying Russian oil and gas. The three Baltic states have called on the whole international community to disconnect Russia’s banking system from the international Swift payment system. That could badly impact the US and European economies.
The Russian city of St Petersburg will no longer be able to host this year’s Champions League final for security reasons. Europe’s football governing body Uefa is also planning further measures.

By Paul Kirby
BBC News

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Ecclesia Pentecostal Chapel Celebrates 5th Anniversary with a Week of Impactful Events

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Ecclesia Pentecostal Chapel is set to commemorate a significant milestone in its journey as it celebrates its 5th Anniversary with a week-long series of events, filled with love, gratitude, and a deep sense of purpose under the leadership of the Head Pastor, Bishop Elect Kwame Okrah and wife Mrs. Mercy Okrah.

Located at Gausu Extension near Santiago Hotel in Obuasi, this church has become a beacon of faith and transformation in the community, touching many lives through its unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Since its inception, Ecclesia Pentecostal Chapel has grown tremendously, thanks to the dedicated support and love of its leaders, pioneers, and congregation. The church’s journey over the last five years has been marked by dedication to outreach, community building, and spiritual growth. To honor this achievement and the people who made it possible, Ecclesia will be hosting a series of events throughout the week, culminating in a powerful and unforgettable celebration on Saturday, February 15th, 2025, at 8Am.

The celebrations will begin on Tuesday, February 11th, 2025, with a market evangelism outreach. The church will take to the streets to spread the message of hope, love, and salvation to the broader community. The outreach will serve as a reminder that Ecclesia Pentecostal Chapel is not only focused on spiritual growth within its walls but is also committed to serving and touching the lives of those outside the church.

On Wednesday, February 12th, 2025, there will be a Film Show and Breaking of Bread. This event will serve as a time of reflection and fellowship, where the church family will gather to watch an inspiring movie that uplifts the spirit. The breaking of bread will offer an opportunity for communion, allowing the members to renew their bond with Christ and each other.

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The grand finale of the week will be on Saturday morning, February 15th, 2025, during the Main Anniversary Event, where the church will honor the pioneers who have stood by Ecclesia Pentecostal Chapel since its humble beginnings. Special recognition will also be given to Pastor Yaw Ofosu for his incredible support, leadership, and dedication over the past five years. This heartfelt recognition of their contributions will be a powerful reminder of the love and commitment that has shaped the church into what it is today.

As Ecclesia Pentecostal Chapel celebrates this monumental 5-year milestone, it looks ahead with faith, vision, and a renewed commitment to its mission. The church continues to thrive as a place of hope and transformation, where lives are touched, and hearts are healed. With the grace of God, Ecclesia Pentecostal Chapel is ready for another five years and beyond, to continue making a lasting impact in Obuasi and beyond.

Join us for this exciting week of celebration, community, and spiritual renewal. We invite you to be a part of this special occasion as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and embrace the future. You won’t want to miss this unforgettable journey of faith at Ecclesia Pentecostal Chapel.

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For more information or inquiries, please visit our social media handles, Facebook:Ecclesiapentecostalchapel
Tiktok: Ecclesiapentchapel

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