Breaking ….Russian President Putin Announces Military Operation In Ukraine

Just over two hours ago, the Russian President Vladimir Putin announced “military operation” in Ukraine’s Donbas region.

He urges Ukrainian soldiers in eastern Ukraine to lay down weapons and return to their homes.

Putin warns that Moscow’s response will be “instant” if anyone tries to take on Russia.

Ukraine’s foreign minister accuses Russia of starting a full-scale war, and urges the UN “to do everything possible” to stop it

US President Joe Biden vows that the world will hold Russia accountable, predicting major loss of life.

Biden will address Americans on Thursday about the consequences he says Russia will face.

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg says the bloc stands with Ukraine at this terrible time, and will do all it takes to defend all allies.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said an invasion “could be the beginning of a big war on the European continent”

Many people in Kyiv have rushed to underground metro stations to take shelter. Others have boarded buses to leave the city, and there are queues of cars trying to get out

Vladimir Putin announced the military operation into Ukraine at 5.55am Moscow time – and minutes later the first shelling and missiles were launched into Ukraine, according to reports.

In the capital of Kyiv, an emergency siren has gone off, and pictures show streams of cars clogging up an expressway as people flee the city.

Social media testimonies speak to a growing sense of panic, with some saying they are being rushed into bomb shelters and into basements. Television footage has showed people praying in the streets, huddled in groups.

Guardian journalist Luke Harding in Kyiv says on Twitter that there are few people on the streets, and people are queuing up at cash machines.
-BBC