Figures from across music world react to Russian invasion of Ukraine
A full-scale military operation began in the early hours of this morning (February 24)
By Joe Goggins
Figures from across the world of music have reacted on social media after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine in the early hours of today (February 24).
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the assault in a pre-recorded address, with air strikes reported on military facilities close to cities across Ukraine, including the capital of Kyiv, and with Russian military vehicles breaching the border in a number of locations. Ukraine has described it as a “full-scale invasion”, per the BBC, and has instituted martial law and severed diplomatic relations with Russia.
Putin’s actions have attracted widespread condemnation from across the globe. US President Joe Biden has vowed on Twitter that “the world will hold Russia accountable,” while saying in a longer statement that “Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering”.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who called the assault “a catastrophe for our continent”, will speak to G7 leaders later, and called for an emergency NATO meeting.
Elsewhere, a host of prominent musicians pledged love and support for Ukrainians on Twitter, with a particularly noteworthy thread from Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos, who said: “I was fortunate enough to spend time in the beautiful cities of Kiev and Odessa when I played there with our band. The people I met were warm and my fond memories are now tinged with indescribable sadness as I see what is happening.”
He continued: “Ukraine posed no threat to Russia. Do not think that Putin intends to stop at its borders. It’s the borders of the USSR at the very least which he is after. I feel for the people of Russia too, particularly the people I have met over the years who I know are appalled by this action and know what the horrific consequences of this action are for them. For all of us.”
He concluded: “Ultimately this will be the end for Putin. At what horrific cost though?” Others who weighed in included the likes of Foals’ Yannis Philippakis, Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite, Zola Jesus, Amanda Palmer, Yungblud and Bring Me the Horizon’s Oli Sykes – who shared a photo of a Ukrainian flag to Instagram. Read some of those reactions below.
Ukraine borders both Russia and the European Union and has long attempted to join bodies such as the EU and NATO – prompting heightened tensions with Vladimir Putin.
It’s believed that the Russian leader is seeking guarantees that Ukraine will not join NATO, instead demanding that it demilitarise and becomes a neutral country.
The threat to world peace, it is feared, could grow exponentially if Russia choses to invade NATO member territories such as Poland and Latvia.