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
and live on Freeview channel 276
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.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
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.’
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
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.’
For all the latest updates follow our live blog below.
Subscribe here for unlimited access to all our coverage, including Pompey, for just 26p a day.
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’
Flights from Gatwick to Kiev suspended
Ukraine International Airlines (UIA), which links Gatwick Airport with Kyiv, has suspended all flights to and from Ukraine.
The airline said: ‘The UIA team takes all possible measures to ensure the safety of our passengers.’
Ukraine airspace is closed
Ukraine’s State Air Traffic Services Enterprise closed the country’s airspace at 12.45am GMT on Thursday “due to the high risk of aviation safety for civil aviation”.
It added: “The provision of air traffic services to civilian users of the airspace of Ukraine is suspended.”
Lloyds on ‘heightened alert’ for cyber attacks
Lloyds Banking Group has revealed it is on “heightened alert” for cyber attacks amid fears that Russia will seek to retaliate against sanctions.
The lending giant said it has been part of sector talks with the Government on Russia sanctions and the potential for cyber attacks by Russian hackers.
Speaking after reporting the group’s annual results, Lloyds chief executive Charlie Nunn said all of the bank’s security and controls are at a ‘heightened and elevated level’.
‘We’ve been working closely with the Government over the last two weeks,’ he added.
He stressed that the group has been investing ‘significantly’ in cybersecurity over the past five years.