Putin Orders Russian Troops Into Eastern Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into two Moscow-backed rebel regions of Ukraine on Monday, defying Western threats of sanctions in a move that could set off a potentially catastrophic war with Kyiv. The Kremlin sent troops into the Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine, paving the way for an operation to deploy part of the potential invasion force he has massed around the country. The move triggered targeted sanctions from the U.S. and the E.U. — with a potential package of economic punishment to come. Meanwhile,U.S. stock index futures tumbled late Monday after President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian army to launch what Moscow called a peacekeeping operation in two Ukrainian regions. In response, U.S. President Joe Biden issued an executive order prohibiting economic activity between the two regions of Ukraine and U.S. individuals. U.S. stock markets were closed on Monday for the Presidents Day holiday but are bracing for today’s open