Russian soldiers flooded into Ukraine Thursday under orders from President Vladimir Putin, threatening to obliterate a peace that has existed on the European continent for more than 75 years.

News reports say cities were bombarded by land, air, and sea, and Ukrainian forces were struggling to hold ground surrounding Kiev, Ukraine's capital, against tens of thousands of Russian soldiers.

Prior to the attack, Ukrainian officials took steps to help Ukrainian civilians protect themselves.

"Ukraine's parliament on Wednesday voted to approve in the first reading a draft law which gives permission to Ukrainians to carry firearms and act in self-defense," Reuters reported.

The 30-day emergency order, National Review reports, would "grant citizens the right to bear arms." It would also allow the government to conscript Ukrainians between the ages of 18 and 60, "adding nearly 200,000 troops to the country's defense."

'Next Time, Bear Arms Earlier'