Russia – Ukraine invasion LIVE: Putin launches 'full scale' war as 1st deaths reported & Boris vows to 'hobble' Moscow
RUSSIA has launched a full-scale invasion on several Ukrainian cities, using missiles and explosions.
Vladimir Putin this morning declared a “special military operation” in Ukraine with a dawn raid after months of amassing his forces on the border and brazenly lying to the world about his plans to invade.
The world today woke up to what could the most horrific military crisis since World War 2 as Putin seeks to tear down the world order.
His full scale invasion of Ukraine is all part of his deluded plan to rebuild the Soviet Union amid his paranoid fears over Nato.
In a tweet, Boris Johnson said: "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."
Read our Russia-Ukraine live blog below for up to the minutes updates…
- John Hall
Pics of captured Russian soldiers
Ukraine has released photos of the two young Russian soldiers we earlier mentioned they'd captured.
As a quick recap, the pair are wearing official Russian armed forces uniforms and red tape around their arms and left legs – a tactic meant to help ID them among their fellow fighters.
Here are their photos:
- John Hall
'Watershed moment' – Ursula von der Leyen
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen this morning said Europe is at a "watershed moment" and vowed massive sanctions against Putin.
“Putin ordered atrocious acts of aggression against a sovereign and independent country and innocent people,” she said.
“What is at stake is not just Donbas, not just Ukraine… but the whole international order.”
“Putin chose to bring war back to Europe.”
Speaking of the sanctions, she said "This package will include financial sanctions that will harshly limit Russia’s access to” international markets.
“We want to cut off Russia’s technology,” with the aim of “seriously degrading the Russian economy in all areas in the future.”
“It is President Putin who will have to explain this to his citizens.”
- John Hall
Grave situation
Former Royal Navy chief Lord West told The Sun one "miscalculation" could spark a war in Europe – which could spiral into a world war involving the use of nuclear weapons.
The 73-year-old said: "This is extremely dangerous. The risk of a miscalculation could lead to a war in Europe which could then become a global conflict – and the use of nuclear weapons.
"There is no doubt Putin wants to control the Ukraine – if he can do that without too much pain, he will do it. And the threat won't go away.
"If he is successful, he will be tempted to try and do something against one of the European countries.
"And that will inevitably lead to a war between Russia and Nato and inevitably lead to the use of nuclear weapons."
- John Hall
Genuine nuclear war threat, says ex Nato commander
Russia's invasion of Ukraine could spark nuclear war, a former Nato chief has warned.
Ex-Nato Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, said if Putin's soldiers set foot into Nato territories members "will go to war with Russia".
Speaking on Good Morning Britain today following Putin's declaration of all-out war on Ukraine, General Sir Adrian warned of dire consequences if Russian troops cross into Nato territories.
The former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of Europe said this morning: "That is incredibly serious – it could lead to nuclear war. We must not let that happen."
He warned nuclear weapons "are always" a background threat, with Russian military commanders making no secret of it in the months leading up to today's "special military operation" declared by Putin in the small hours of this morning.
- John Hall
Russian Grand Prix in serious doubt
The Russian Grand Prix is in serious doubt after Russian forces invaded Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine after a surprise statement on TV.
Formula One are now monitoring the situation after Ukraine that "Putin has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine".
An F1 spokesperson said: "Formula 1 is closely watching the very fluid developments like many others and at this time has no further comment on the race scheduled for September.
"We will continue to monitor the situation very closely."
- John Hall
BREAKING – Boris addresses the nation
Boris Johnson today vowed to "hobble" Russia with crippling sanctions after Vladimir Putin "unleashed war" on Ukraine.
In a rare TV address to the nation the PM said: " Diplomatically, politically, economically – and eventually, militarily – this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure."
Mr Johnson was woken at 4am for an urgent call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before chairing a Cobra meeting in Whitehall.
In a statement of intent he said: "President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
- John Hall
CHOPPER ATTACK
Horrific video appears to show the moment that Russian helicopter gunships swept over Ukraine to attack an airport just miles from Kyiv.
Russian choppers can be seen hurtling over the landscape as as they attacked the military base at Gostomel Airport.
Ukrainian officials said they managed to down at least three of the aircraft – but the Russians had managed to seize control of the area.
In some of most dramatic footage of the invasion so far, the helicopters are seen flying low and appearing to be firing flares as they moved in.
Smoke is seen rising in the background from the devastated landscape amid the bloodshed which has plunged Europe into a new crisis.
The craft are believed to be a mix of Ka-52 Alligators, Mi-8s and Mi-24 military attack helicopters.
- John Hall
Hitting home
Russia's brutal bombardment of Ukraine has already seen missiles hitting civilian areas.
One chilling photo shows a missile lodged in the roof of a flat in suburbs of the city of Kharkiv.
- John Hall
Big moment for Uefa
Uefa, the European football ruling body, are to hold an emergency meeting tomorrow so work out their response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Champions League final is due to be hosted in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg on May 28 – but Uefa has now called the meeting to "evaluate the situation"
Uefa said in a statement it would "take all necessary decisions", with many now convinced Russia will be stripped of hosting rights for the final, which is European club football's premier competition.
- John Hall
Russian soldiers captured
Christopher Miller, a correspondent for Buzzfeed News, this morning shared details of two "very young" looking Russian soldiers that Ukraine claims to have captured.
He says they are wearing official Russian armed forces uniforms and red tape around their arms and left legs – a tactic meant to help ID them among their fellow fighters.
- John Hall
'United' EU vows massive Russia sanctions
The European Union this morning pledged to impose “massive” new sanctions on Russia.
A statement just issued by the European Council said: "We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s unprecedented military aggression against Ukraine.
"By its unprovoked and unjustified military actions, Russia is grossly violating international law and undermining European and global security and stability.
"We also condemn the involvement of Belarus in this aggression against Ukraine and call on it to abide by its international obligations.
"We demand that Russia immediately ceases military actions, unconditionally withdraws all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine and fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.
"Such use of force and coercion has no place in the 21st century.
"We will meet later today to discuss this blatant aggression and agree in principle on further restrictive measures that will impose massive and severe consequences on Russia for its action, in close coordination with our transatlantic partners.
- John Hall
Race to escape
Ukrainians hopes of escaping the country were dealt a major blow this morning as enormous crowds gathered at airports and traffic jams clogged motorways.
Photos show luggage trolleys abandoned in the street outside Kyiv airport as desperate locals raced to escape.
- John Hall
What's happening at the moment?
These are my pick of The Sun's must-read stories this morning:
- Vladimir Putin warns of 'untold consequences' if the West challenges his invasion of Ukraine
- Britain is to batter Russia with 'unprecedented' sanctions of the invasion
- Boris Johnson is holding a crisis Cobra meeting over the invasion as the West daws up plans for 'severe sanctions'
- Horror pictures show people fleeing Ukraine after Russia's dawn assault
- Fears are growing over the price of petrol and gas as the markets quake in the aftermath of the invasion
- Civilians are believed to have been hurt in the initial assault by Russia
- Putin is feared to have deploy Russia’s horrifying thermobaric rocket launchers
How is Putin's invasion of Ukraine playing out?
This map shows exactly how Russia is attacking Ukraine and how his forces are entering the country.
Smoke rises over Kharkiv
As dawn broke on a besieged Ukraine, this picture shows Chuhuiv military airfield in Kharkiv outskirts burning after a Russian strike.
- John Hall
On the ground reports
Victoria Vota told the BBC she woke up at 5am to “bombing sounds” in Kharkiv, a city's of 1.4 million in the north east of Ukraine.
“My neighbours were ringing my doorbell telling me it’s time to leave and maybe evacuate from the city.”
But she reveals there is confusion over whether she should evacuate the area, after the Government ordered all citizens to stay in their homes.
“We’re not sure if it’s safe to evacuate," she said, adding that the army “is doing its best”.
- Milica Cosic
Italian President to hold emergency meeting
Italy's President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, will chair a meeting of the Italian Supreme Defense Council.
It will be held with key ministers this afternoon at 4:30 pm at the Quirinale palace, his office said in a note.
- John Hall
Condemnation
Global leaders have condemned Putin and pledged to stand with Ukraine – with the world now just one false move from what could become World War 3.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Putin had "chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction", while US President Joe Biden described the assault as an "unprovoked and unjustified attack"
Russia also launched a prong of its attack from neighbouring Belarus – where Putin has been shameless wooing its leader Alexander Lukashenko, a man known as "Europe's last dictator".
“This is just the start – we have intelligence that a bigger second wave is coming," a Ukrainian military told The Sun.
“There will be bombs, ballistic missiles and multiple attacks – this is more than our worst fears.”
- John Hall
Confusion already
Hundreds are already feared to have been killed in a conflict that had been warned to have a death toll in the hundreds of thousands and that could displace millions into Europe.
With the fog of war descending, getting information out of the war-torn nation remains difficult – but there were reports of at least five Russian jets being shot down.
- John Hall
Artillery strikes
Ukrainians faced the sound of booming explosions and blaring air raid sirens as missiles, airstrikes and artillery shells fell on their homeland.
Putin took to Russian airwaves at 5.50am Moscow time to order an aerial blitz in the first stage of his attack.
Moments later powerful explosions were reported and armoured columns were spotted moving towards the border.
Russia had some 200,000 soldiers ready to move in – encircling the north, south and east of Ukraine.
- John Hall
What happened this morning?
Putin declared war on Ukraine at 3am this morning by unleashing his terrifying arsenal with a full scale assault on the country.
The tyrant declared a “special military operation” after months of massing his forces on the border and lying about his plans to invade.
The world is waking up to what could the most horrific crisis since World War 2 as Putin seeks to tear down the world order.
His seemingly full scale invasion of Ukraine is all part of his deluded plan to rebuild the Soviet Union and his paranoia over Nato.
- John Hall
Slapped with more sanctions
Britain and the West will batter Russia with "unprecedented sanctions" that will bring the county to its knees in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Foreign office minister James Cleverly said the PM and other world leaders will announce new measures to "punish this aggression" later today.
And he warned the Kremlin it has taken a "catastrophically bad decision" by launching the attack on Kyiv, which will fight back "ferociously".
No 10 is poised to unveil more economic and military assistance for Ukraine to help it defend itself against the Russian onslaught.
- John Hall
Fears for petrol and energy prices as oil hits $100
FEARS have been raised over petrol and energy prices as Putin declares war on Ukraine, with households hit by higher costs.
Russia unleashed a missile attack on Ukraine this morning after months of growing tension between the two nations.
The price rises are hitting households' already squeezed budgets, from filling up the car to energy bills and getting in the groceries.
Russia is one of the world's largest producers of oil, and prices are rising as concerns build over how the Ukraine crisis will impact distribution of supplies.
It's caused crude oil to hit $102.48 a barrel – the highest price seen in eight years.
- John Hall
Fleeing for their lives
Hundreds have been pictured at Kharkiv-Pasazhyrsky train station standing in long lines waiting to buy tickets.
Residents rushed to gas stations as they tried to head out of Kyiv but were met with gridlocked highways.
Pictures show lines of cars queuing at a gas station in Sievierodonetsk in Luhansk – one of the provinces that Putin declared “independent” earlier this week – with some Ukrainians stopping at ATMs beforehand.
- John Hall
Seeking shelter
Terrified families took shelter inside subway stations while long queues were seen on platforms.
Couples were sat on their floor with their luggage as they searched for information on their cell phones.
Footage that has been watched more than 25,000 times online shows stranded motorists trying to leave Kyiv as air raid sirens were tested.
Source: Read Full Article
