By BBC
In Summary
- Russian forces have launched a major military assault on Ukraine, with reports of missile strikes and explosions near major cities
- The Ukrainian military claims to have shot down at least six Russian aircraft and lost at least forty of its troops; there are reports of civilian casualties too
- People have been trying to flee the capital Kyiv and there is a palpable sense of shock
- Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg denounces Russia’s invasion as cold-blooded and long-planned
- UK PM Boris Johnson says Russian President Vladimir Putin has unleashed a “tidal wave of violence” against Ukraine
- The UK, EU and other Western allies have vowed to impose a new package of much tougher sanctions to punish Russia but will not send troops
- Vladimir Putin warns that Moscow’s response will be “instant” if anyone tries to take on Russia
In a pre-dawn TV statement Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia did not plan to occupy Ukraine and demanded that its military lay down their arms.
Moments later, attacks were reported on Ukrainian military targets.
Ukraine said that “Putin has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine”.
Russia’s military breached the border in a number of places, in the north, south and east, including from Belarus, a long-time Russian ally. There are reports of fighting in some parts of eastern Ukraine.
About 10 civilians are believed to have been killed, including six in an air strike in Brovary near the capital Kyiv. A man was also killed in shelling outside the major eastern city of Kharkiv.
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said that more than 40 soldiers had died and dozens more were wounded. Ukraine said it had killed 50 Russian troops and shot down six Russian aircraft, but this has not been verified.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced martial law across all of Ukraine, severed all diplomatic relations with Russia and said weapons would be distributed to anyone who wanted them.
“No panic. We’re strong. We’re ready for anything. We’ll defeat everyone, because we are Ukraine,” he said in a video statement. Ahead of Russia’s attack he had made a last-ditch attempt to avert a conflict, warning that Russia could start “a major war in Europe” and urging Russian citizens to oppose it.
Warning sirens blared across the capital, which has a population of almost three million. Traffic queued to leave the city and crowds sought shelter in Kyiv’s metro stations. Several neighbouring countries have begun preparations to take in a large number of refugees.
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