The Russian Invasion Begins

<p>After months of escalating tensions, President Vladimir V. Putin took to state television on Thursday to declare the start of a “special military operation” in Ukraine.</p><p>In the prelude to the invasion and as Russian troops launched their attacks, we spoke to our colleagues on the ground as they hunkered down to cover the fighting.</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/sabrina-tavernise?smid=pc-thedaily">Sabrina Tavernise</a>, a national correspondent for The New York Times; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/anton-troianovski?smid=pc-thedaily">Anton Troianovski</a>, the Moscow bureau chief for The Times and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/michael-schwirtz?smid=pc-thedaily">Michael Schwirtz</a>, an investigative reporter for The Times. </p><p>Have you lost a loved one during the pandemic? The Daily is working on a special episode memorializing those we have lost to the coronavirus. If you would like to share their name on the episode, please RECORD A VOICE MEMO and send it to us at <a href="mailto:thedaily@nytimes.com">thedaily@nytimes.com</a>. You can find more information and<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/03/podcasts/daily-memorial-covid.html"> specific instructions here</a>.</p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>Areas across Ukraine were<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/24/world/russia-ukraine-putin"> under attack on Thursday morning</a>. President Biden condemned Russia’s actions, saying that he would speak to the American people later in the day.</li><li>Why did Russia invade? Here’s<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/ukraine-russia-putin.html"> what to know about the Ukraine crisis</a>.</li></ul><p>Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made availab