Ukraine war latest: Explosions in Kyiv as Ukrainian forces continue to face Russians, UK aircraft banned from Russian airspace in retaliation to sanctions plus all the updates
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Explosions have been reported in the capital of Kyiv this morning.
Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat condemned Russia’s ‘vile act of war’ against Ukraine.
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Hide AdEU foreign affairs policy chief Josep Borrell said the events in Ukraine mark ‘among the darkest (hours) for Europe since the end of World War Two’.
Britain’s ambassador to Ukraine urged UK nationals to leave Ukraine immediately.
Melinda Simmons wrote on Twitter: ‘We advise GB nationals to leave Ukraine immediately if you judge that it is safe to do so from your location. Please call +380 44 490 3660 if you need assistance.’
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘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.’
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Hide AdSEE ALSO: Ukraine crisis: UK to 'respond decisively' as Boris Johnson 'appalled' by Russian invasion
The UK Foreign Office has said people should not attempt to cross from Russia into Ukraine.
The official advice was updated on Thursday to say: ‘There are multiple reports of widespread military activity in Ukraine. You should not attempt to cross into Ukraine from Russia.’
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Ukraine Live: Latest updates as Russia begins invasion
Key Events
- Russia has begun a ‘full-scale’ invasion of Ukraine
- Explosions reported across the country
- Brits told to ‘leave immediately’
Russian planes said to be heading to Kyiv now
Pskov is near Estonia and is located in Western Russia
MP hits out at ‘treason’
Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, called out behaviour he described as “treason” when describing the reaction of some people to the invasion of Ukraine.
The MP for Tonbridge and Malling said “this is not a time to live in fear” and it is not a time to “bow down” or “scrape or grovel, like I see some people doing today, praising Putin’s intellect, worshipping (China’s leader) Xi’s ability to influence others through force, or others saying that we should compromise, we should accept the instructions of evil dictators and say ‘no, free people like Ukraine, they’re expendable, they can suffer because they don’t matter’.
“That’s cowardice. Worse than that it’s betrayal, it’s betrayal not just of the people who are fighting for their freedom, it is a betrayal of the British people whose security depends fundamentally on freedoms around the world. We should call it what it is, it’s treason, and it’s wrong.”
Conservative former defence secretary Liam Fox said: “Putin will continue to challenge the international order and advance his imperial agenda until he is decisively confronted.”
Asked by Labour MP Geraint Davies if the UK is doing enough to provide assets to the Ukraine to defend itself, Mr Fox said: “No we have not been doing enough. Since we saw the occupation of Crimea in 2014, many of us, including some in the House today, have been arguing that the west should be giving Ukraine the proper capabilities to defend itself.
“It’s clear today that we did not do so.”