WI Politicians, Community Leaders React To Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine

WISCONSIN — A U.S. Senator in Wisconsin lambasted Russian president Vladimir Putin for "tragedies unfolding" across Ukraine on Thursday as Russian forces attacked the country from multiple fronts.

"Ultimately, there is only one group of people responsible for the tragedies unfolding - Vladimir Putin and his cronies," U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, a Republican from Oshkosh, said in a statement Thursday. The senator urged the United States to support the NATO and respond to the invasion.

Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat from Plymouth, said he and his wife were praying for the Ukrainian people whose lives were upended by the invasion. "I join leaders across the world in condemning this attack on Ukraine's sovereignty and support efforts to hold Russia accountable."

U.S. Representative Michael Gallagher, a Republican from Green Bay, called Putin a "KGB thug," and criticized President Joe Biden for inaction.

"(Putin) has brought war to Europe because he believes he will secure a quick and decisive victory," Gallagher said.

U.S. Representative Gwen Moore, a Democrat from Milwaukee, said she strongly condemned the Kremlin's decision to invade, even after diplomatic efforts by the United States and the international community.

"No one will lose more than the people of Ukraine and my heart goes out to them," Moore said in a statement. "The United States and its partners and allies must remain unified as they consider options for responding to Russia’s dangerous escalation and for providing support to the people of Ukraine and those displaced from their homeland."

Read More: Russia-Ukraine: What To Know As Russia Attacks Ukraine

Russia's multi-front invasion of Ukraine started early Thursday morning, according to multiple reports. The Ukrainian government said in a statement that it was a "new wave of aggression."

Video from different news outlets showed bombs dropping on targets, Russian troops staging perimeters and a sea of cars leaving the capital city of Kyiv.

U.S. President Joe Biden pledged new sanctions against Russia for the attack and said in a statement that Russia alone was "responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring."

"The world will hold Russia accountable," the president added.