Russians troops are reported to have seize the Chernobyl nuclear power plant
Russian troops have captured Antonov international airport on outskirts of Kyiv this afternoon according to reports as the invasion of Ukraine which began at dawn this morning continues
Russia has said that its military had destroyed more than 70 military targets including 11 airfields in Ukraine.
“As a result of strikes carried out by the Russian armed forces, 74 Ukrainian military ground facilities were destroyed,” said Igor Konashenkov, a defence ministry spokesman, specifying that destroyed facilities included 11 airfields. He said a Ukrainian military helicopter and four drones had also been shot down.
Ukraine is calling on the European Union and its member states to urgently provide air-defence and anti-missile systems, as well as use “all means” to jam Russian satellite signals.
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has strongly called for Russia to be banned from the Swift banking system
Earlier NATO chief Jan Stoltenberg has told Sky News that we now have war in Europe and that this is a grave moment for the continent’s security as the organisation’s envoys have agreed to beef up air, land and sea forces on its eastern flank near Ukraine and Russia
Ukrainian forces say they have killed around 50 “Russian occupiers” while taking back control of the eastern frontline town of Shchastya
Explosions were heard in the capital of Kyiv and as far away as the western city of Lviv, according to reports. Ukraine said it was also coming under sustained cyber attacks.
Russia’s military said it had targeted Ukrainian air bases and other military assets and had not targeted populated areas
The Ukrainian armed forces say they have shot down 5 Russian planes and a helicopter.
“Keep calm and believe in Ukraine defenders”, the statement from Ukraine’s forces says.
Brent crude topped $100 per barrel and Natural gas prices have soared after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine piled further pressure on Europe’s strained energy markets.
Benchmark European gas prices jumped as much as 41pc to €125 a megawatt-hour in their fourth consecutive day of gains, while the UK equivalent surged by a third.
Addressing the country at 5.00am U.K. time The Russian leader said … he was beginning a “special military operation” seeking what he called the “demilitarization and de-Nazification of Ukraine.
Putin claimed Russia’s actions were about protecting Ukraine “from those who took Ukraine hostage” and called on members of the Ukrainian army to lay down their arms and go home to their families.
“No matter how hard it will be, I am asking for understanding and cooperation so that we can turn this tragic page as soon as possible and move forward together, not to allow anyone to interfere in our affairs, in our relations, but to build them on our own, so that it creates the necessary conditions to overcome all problems and, despite the presence of state borders, would strengthen us from the inside as a single whole.”
He also issued this chilling threat to the rest of the world: “To anyone who would consider interfering from outside: If you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history. All the relevant decisions have been taken. I hope you hear me.”
Boris Johnson,who will hold a Cobra meeting at 7.30 tweeted “I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps,”
“President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
“The UK and our allies will respond decisively.”
Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said that The U.K we will respond with an unprecedented punitive set of sanctions” on Russia
He added that this will put massive pressure on Russia’s finances and will make it harder for them to bankroll the Ukraine invasion
Joe Biden released this statement in response: “The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable.”
Kier Starmer tweeted:
“Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine is unprovoked and unjustifiable.His actions will have horrendous and tragic consequences that will echo throughout the world and throughout history.”
