by Tyler O'Neil - FOX News




Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian troops into the two breakaway regions of Ukraine after recognizing their independence, The Wall Street Journal reported. The Russian government's legal portal published his two decrees following a televised address late Monday.

An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council convened, with the United States and allies seeking to isolate Russia and condemning the deployment of Russian troops. Ukraine requested the late-night meeting.

Witness sees Russian tanks on outskirts of Donetsk

A witness sent Reuters footage of columns of military vehicles, including tanks and APCs, moving on the outskirts of Donetsk early on Tuesday.

Donetsk is one of the two breakaway regions that Putin recognized on Monday. This move seems to comport with Putin's orders.

Russian troops arrive in Ukraine regions, unconfirmed report

Russian forces have arrived in Ukraine's breakaway regions, European leaders suggested Tuesday morning.

When asked whether Putin's decision to order Russian troops into these regions amounts to an invasion, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said, "I wouldn’t say that’s a fully fledged invasion, but Russian troops are on Ukrainian soil."

Britain's defense secretary, Ben Wallace, warned of worrying signs that Russia has begun to move forces into Ukraine. He admitted that reports of military equipment moving into Ukraine's Donbas region need to be verified, however.