Russian tanks seen rolling in after Putin ‘orders troops into Ukraine and recruits medics to prepare for “bloodshed”

RUSSIAN tanks are on the move after Putin reportedly ordered troops into Ukraine and recruited medics to prepare for “bloodshed”. Videos obtained by Al-Jazeera show Russian military vehicles in two breakaway areas of eastern Ukraine that Putin recognised as independent states last night – effectively annexing them into Russia. Russian tanks are on the move after Putin reportedly ordered his troops to advance into Ukraine East2WestMilitary vehicles in two breakaway areas of eastern Ukraine that Putin recognised as independent states last night[/caption] APFireworks were let off and Russian flags were waved in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic[/caption] Footage was taken from Makiivka, in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), and the neighbouring Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), which was also recognised by the Kremlin. Celebratory fireworks were fired and Russian flags were waved following the announcement. It emerged today that Moscow is urgently seeking medics to go to work in makeshift hospitals in Rostov, close to the republics.  A doctor said: “Today we have been offered to go work at a temporary hospital in Rostov.  “This is how they said it: ‘The salary will be high, your patients will be the wounded’.” Another medic said there is an urgent plea for doctors and nurses “with experience working in conflict zones”. Putin said in a rambling televised address last night: “We demand that those who have seized and are retaining power in Kyiv immediately halt all hostilities. “Otherwise, the Ukrainian ruling regime will be wholly and entirely responsible for the possible continuation of the bloodshed.” An eyewitnesses spotted huge columns of troops moving through Donetsk even before he finished his rambling address. The president then signed off orders to parliament which made Russia the first country in the world to recognise the two mini-states created when he orchestrated a land grab in 2014. The last paragraph of his orders to parliament said he was ordering Russian armed forces to “provide peacekeeping on the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republic”. There was intrigue over how a leading Putin-backing ultranationalist politician had on December 27 predicted the timing of the military move into Ukraine – almost to the hour.  His words suggested a clear plan by the Russian authorities which has been unfolding since the end of last year.  Firebrand Vladimir Zhirinovsky – currently in hospital recovering from Covid – told parliament that a military campaign would start at 4am on 22 February. In fact the first military vehicles were seen a few hours earlier, in darkness, late on February 21.  The leader of the Liberal Democratic Party had told MPs: “You will feel it at 4am on February 22.” Putin’s prime minister Mikhail Mishustin also admitted that he had been working for “many months” assessing how to stop economic damage from Western sanctions from recognition of the two Ukrainian regions.  “We have been preparing for many months  for the potential reaction over the recognition of LNR and DPR,” he told an emergency Russian national security council session when Putin ordered his key allies to personally back the move.  In December, Zhirinovsky told MPs over the move on Ukraine: “I wish 2022 would be a peaceful year, but I love the truth. “I’ve been telling the truth for 72 years. “This will not be a peaceful year.  “This will be the year when Russia will finally become a great country again. “And everyone has to shut up, and respect our country. “Otherwise they will shut us up, and destroy Russians first in Donbas, and next in the west of Russia. “So let’s support the new direction in Russia’s foreign policy.” THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY… The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun. Most read in News WAR ZONE Putin 'orders army into Ukraine' after rebel states recognised in Kremlin meeting BREAKING FREE Boris Johnson hails Britain as he finally rips up Covid rules RULE IT OUT All the Covid rule changes Boris revealed TODAY - and when they come into force RIVER 'MURDER' Boy, 5, 'suffered 56 injuries from mum, lover & boy, 14, before body dumped' EIGHT-LEGGED GIANT World's biggest spider whose bite causes heart palpitations found in UK FRANKLY WILD Brits told ‘DON'T travel today’ as 400 homes evacuated in 87mph Storm Franklin