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UK condemns unprovoked Russian attack on Ukraine UK condemns unprovoked Russian attack on Ukraine
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Watch: Sirens can be heard as the BBC's Nick Beake reports on the ground from Kyiv
The UK will respond decisively to Russia's "unprovoked attack" on Ukraine, says PM Boris Johnson.The UK will respond decisively to Russia's "unprovoked attack" on Ukraine, says PM Boris Johnson.
The PM said he was appalled after President Putin launched a military operation in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.The PM said he was appalled after President Putin launched a military operation in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.
Mr Putin said he did not plan to occupy the country, but Ukraine has branded it a "full-scale invasion".Mr Putin said he did not plan to occupy the country, but Ukraine has branded it a "full-scale invasion".
The PM will chair a Cobra meeting shortly to discuss the "horrific attacks". The PM - who is chairing Cobra emergency talks - is set to unveil more sanctions against Russia to MPs later.
In a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Johnson said the people of Ukraine were in the UK's thoughts, a No 10 spokesperson said.In a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Johnson said the people of Ukraine were in the UK's thoughts, a No 10 spokesperson said.
The prime minister told Mr Zelensky the West "would not stand by as President Putin waged his campaign against the Ukrainian people".The prime minister told Mr Zelensky the West "would not stand by as President Putin waged his campaign against the Ukrainian people".
Mr Johnson wrote on Twitter: "President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine."Mr Johnson wrote on Twitter: "President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer warned Putin's attack on Ukraine would "have horrendous and tragic consequences that will echo throughout the world and throughout history". Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer warned Putin's attack on Ukraine would "have horrendous and tragic consequences that will echo throughout the world and throughout history", and he called for the "hardest possible sanctions" against the Russian leader.
He added: "There can be no space for equivocation when faced with the evil that Putin has unleashed. His actions pose a grave threat to the international order on which we all depend."He added: "There can be no space for equivocation when faced with the evil that Putin has unleashed. His actions pose a grave threat to the international order on which we all depend."
Sir Keir said the UK must match its rhetoric with action, including the urgent reinforcement of Nato allies and the "hardest possible sanctions" taken against anyone linked to President Putin.
In a tweet, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the UK stood with Ukraine and would work with international partners to respond to Russia's "terrible act of aggression".
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he has instructed the UK Civil Aviation Authority to ensure airlines avoid Ukraine airspace "to keep passengers and crew safe".
Putin unleashes Russian forces on UkrainePutin unleashes Russian forces on Ukraine
PM announces UK sanctions against RussiaPM announces UK sanctions against Russia
Oil soars past $100 after Russia military actionOil soars past $100 after Russia military action
Russian forces have launched an assault on Ukraine, with reports of explosions near major cities across the country. Russian forces have launched an assault on Ukraine, with reports of explosions near major cities across the country early on Thursday morning.
Ukraine has declared a month-long state of emergency, as Russia said it had carried out air strikes on Ukraine's military infrastructure and border guard units and not targeted populated areas. Ukraine has declared a month-long state of emergency, as Russia said it had carried out air strikes on Ukraine's military infrastructure and border guard units - but not targeting populated areas.
President Putin announced a "special military operation" in Ukraine's Donbas region in a televised address to the Russian people on Thursday morning. President Putin announced a "special military operation" in Ukraine's Donbas region in a televised address to the Russian people earlier.
He said the Ukrainian people would be able "to choose freely" who ran the country.He said the Ukrainian people would be able "to choose freely" who ran the country.
Mr Putin also urged Ukrainian soldiers in the combat zone in eastern Ukraine to lay down their weapons and return to their homes, warning that Moscow's response would be "instant" if anyone tried to take on Russia. Mr Putin also urged Ukrainian soldiers in the combat zone in the east of the country to lay down their weapons and return to their homes, warning that Moscow's response would be "instant" if anyone tried to take on Russia.
The latest move by Russia has drawn international condemnation, with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticising Russia's "reckless and unprovoked attack on Ukraine" and urging Moscow to cease its military action immediately. In a tweet, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the UK stood with Ukraine and would work with international partners to respond to Russia's "terrible act of aggression".
This video can not be played Foreign Office minister James Cleverly warned Mr Putin's comments in recent days suggested he wanted to create "a wider Russian empire in all but name".
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. "We do fear that this is the start of quite an extensive military operation. This is not just limited to the east. There have been military strikes across a number of parts of Ukraine," he told the BBC.
Watch: Sirens can be heard as the BBC's Nick Beake reports on the ground from Kyiv He pledged the UK would be imposing an "unprecedented punitive set of sanctions" with further measures to be announced shortly.
Asked about the prospect of UK boots on the ground in Ukraine, Mr Cleverly said that while Ukraine was a "good friend" of the UK, it was not a member of the Nato military alliance - which obligates members to come to one another's aid in the event of an armed attack against a member state.
The UK is providing additional military support to eastern Nato member states and will support Ukrainians in their defence of their homeland, he added.
UK nationals were advised two weeks ago to leave Ukraine while commercial flights were still available. Those remaining have again been urged to leave Ukraine immediately - if they judge it is safe to do so.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he had instructed the UK Civil Aviation Authority to ensure airlines avoided Ukraine airspace "to keep passengers and crew safe".
The latest move by Russia has drawn international condemnation, with US President Joe Biden denouncing Russia's military action as an "unprovoked and unjustified attack", declaring "the world will hold Russia accountable".
Writing on Twitter, he added the US and its allies and partners would impose "severe sanctions on Russia" and continue to provide support to Ukraine and its people.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticised Russia's reckless attack on Ukraine and urged Moscow to cease its military action immediately.
He said despite weeks of tireless international diplomacy, Russia had chosen "the path of aggression", which amounted to "a grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security".He said despite weeks of tireless international diplomacy, Russia had chosen "the path of aggression", which amounted to "a grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security".
Mr Stoltenberg has called an emergency meeting of the North Atlantic Council this morning. A press conference is expected to be held in Brussels at 12:00 local time. Mr Stoltenberg has called an emergency meeting of the North Atlantic Council this morning. A news conference is expected to be held in Brussels at 12:00 local time.
On Wednesday, the UK announced a package of sanctions against Russia as part of a co-ordinated Western response to the crisis.On Wednesday, the UK announced a package of sanctions against Russia as part of a co-ordinated Western response to the crisis.
Mr Johnson announced that five Russian banks have had their assets frozen and three Russian billionaires will be slapped with travel bans. Mr Johnson announced that five Russian banks had had their assets frozen and three Russian billionaires would be slapped with travel bans.
It follows the Kremlin ordering troops into the rebel-held Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk on recognising them as independent. It followed the Kremlin ordering troops into the rebel-held Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk on recognising them as independent.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace branded Russia's actions "naked aggression against a democratic country" and said no one had been fooled by the Kremlin's "false flags and fake narratives".Defence Secretary Ben Wallace branded Russia's actions "naked aggression against a democratic country" and said no one had been fooled by the Kremlin's "false flags and fake narratives".
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Watch: On the front line of the Ukraine-Russia crisisWatch: On the front line of the Ukraine-Russia crisis
Fears of a Russian invasion into Ukraine have been rising for months.Fears of a Russian invasion into Ukraine have been rising for months.
Mr Putin has accused the West of ignoring Russia's demands to prevent Ukraine from joining the western Nato military alliance and offer Moscow security guarantees.Mr Putin has accused the West of ignoring Russia's demands to prevent Ukraine from joining the western Nato military alliance and offer Moscow security guarantees.