Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A high alert regime is being introduced in Crimea, head of the republic Sergei Aksyonov said on Thursday. “A decision was made to introduce a high alert regime on the territory of the Republic of Crimea. This is necessary for the possibility of a simplified solution of emerging problems,” he wrote in his Telegram channel.

Aksyonov clarified that evacuation from the border settlements of the republic is not carried out. Nevertheless, measures have been taken to help those who want to leave these settlements for the center of the peninsula.

“Nothing threatens the life and health of Crimeans. If there had been such a threat, appropriate decisions would have been made immediately. Our power structures are effectively fulfilling their tasks,” he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday morning said in a televised address that, in response to an appeal from the leaders of the republics of Donbass, he had decided to conduct a special military operation. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow’s plans do not include the occupation of Ukrainian territories.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Russian military does not strike at the cities of Ukraine, military infrastructure is disabled by high-precision means. Nothing threatens the civilian population, the department assured.