Advertisement

Ukraine-Russia news – live: Putin’s forces advance towards Kiev as 60 battalion tactical groups cross border

Russian forces are advancing closer towards Kiev, a senior US defence official has warned, amid fighting at Hostomel airport just outside the capital, and the loss of Chernobyl, 100km to the north, to Vladimir Putin’s forces on Thursday evening.

Ukraine’s military says Russia has already moved more than 60 battalion tactical groups across the border – each with roughly 700-900 troops. In a post on Facebook, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said Russian troops were launching “full-scale aggression against Ukraine”.

The offensive came on day one of what Ukraine described as a “full-scale invasion”, which had led to dozens of people being killed or injured. CCTV cameras earlier caught Russian military vehicles rolling through border force checkpoints as ground troops crossed the Crimea border into Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden has announced harsh new sanctions coordinated with allies in the UK and EU. “Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences,” Mr Biden said.

Key Points

  • Explosions and gunfire heard as Russian invasion begins

  • Ukraine says Putin has launched a 'full-scale invasion’

  • Kiev streets fill up with people fleeing as siren goes off in capital

  • Ukraine president Zelensky urges citizens to fight and offers weapons

  • Boris Johnson imposes new sanctions on Russian oligarchs

  • Hundreds of anti-war protestors arrested across Russia

  • Chernobyl nuclear site ‘under control of Russian troops'

  • Russia has more than 60 battalion tactical groups in Ukraine

  • Ukraine death toll hits 137 with 316 wounded

Ukraine calls for Russia to be removed from Twitter

02:09 , Tom Batchelor

Truss and Wallace speak with Ukrainian counterparts

01:59 , Tom Batchelor

Liz Truss, the UK foreign secretary, and her colleague Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, have held a joint call with their Ukrainian counterparts this evening.

“We continue to support Ukraine politically, economically and defensively in the face of Russia’s abhorrent invasion,” Ms Truss in a Twitter post about the call.

EU announces sanctions against Russian banks, companies and energy sector

01:55 , Tom Batchelor

EU leaders have agreed sanctions on Moscow, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said in a tweet early on Friday.

Ms Von der Leyen said: “First, this package includes financial sanctions, targeting 70% of the Russian banking market and key state owned companies, including in defence.

“Second, we target the energy sector, a key economic area which especially benefits the Russian state. Our export ban will hit the oil sector by making it impossible for Russia to upgrade its refineries.

“Third: we ban the sale of aircrafts and equipment to Russian airlines.

“Fourth, we are limiting Russia’s access to crucial technology, such as semiconductors or cutting-edge software.

“Finally: visas. Diplomats and related groups and business people will no longer have privileged access to the European Union.”

Nato leaders set to meet on Friday

01:50 , Tom Batchelor

Western leaders are set to convene a summit to hammer out how next to push back against the “cynical and brutal invasion” in Ukraine.

Leaders of the 30 Nato allied nations will meet on Friday, US President Joe Biden confirmed, as they come under pressure to go even further than sanctions already announced to hit the Kremlin after what Boris Johnson described as a “dark day in the history of our continent”.

Russia ‘unlikely’ achieved military goals in first wave of Ukraine invasion

01:49 , Tom Batchelor

Russia is “unlikely” to have achieved its military goals in the first wave of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine amid “fierce resistance”, say UK officials.

Here is the story:

Multiple American military aerial refueling aircraft over Eastern Europe

01:43 , Tom Batchelor

Flight tracking service FlightRadar24 shows at least four Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers operated by the US Air Force in the skies over Eastern Europe.

Three were flying at between 25,000 and 35,000 feet above Poland, while a fourth was over Romania. Some had flown from the RAF base at Mildenhall in Suffolk.

The aircraft were among the most tracked on FlighRadar2’s platform, with tens of thousands of people following their paths.

 (FlightRadar24)
(FlightRadar24)

MoD says it is ‘highly likely’ Russian forces have captured Chernobyl nuclear plant

01:37 , Tom Batchelor

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) says it is “highly likely” Russian forces have captured the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

A statement from the MoD said: “Russian forces have highly likely captured the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Workers have reportedly been detained by Russian troops.”

“The Ukrainian Armed Forces have reportedly halted Russia’s advance towards Chernihiv,” the MoD statement said.

“Fighting probably continues on the outskirts of the city.

“It is unlikely that Russia has achieved its planned Day 1 military objectives. Ukrainian forces have presented fierce resistance across all axes of Russia’s advance.”

US is ready to accept Ukrainian refugees fleeing invasion, White House says

01:31 , Tom Batchelor

The White House has said the US is ready to accept Ukrainian refugees fleeing invasion by Russia.

As reports suggested as many as 100,000 Ukrainians had already left their homes in the wake of the invasion by Russian forces, the White House said it was prepared to accept refugees and to assist countries in Europe where people may head.

Here is the story from our chief US correspondent, Andrew Buncombe:

US is ‘ready to accept Ukrainian refugees’ fleeing invasion

Japan and Australia respond with sanctions

01:19 , Tom Batchelor

The morning has broken in Asia and Australasia, triggering fresh reaction from capitals there to the worsening situation in Ukraine.

Australia has imposed more sanctions against Russia targeting several of its elite citizens and lawmakers, and said it was “unacceptable” that China was easing trade restrictions with Moscow at this time.

“We will work along with our partners for a rolling wave of sanctions and continuing to ratchet up that pressure on Russia,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said during a media conference.

Japan said it will strengthen sanctions against Russia to include financial institutions and military equipment exports.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that Tokyo would take aim at Russian financial institutions and individuals with the sanctions, which would be imposed immediately, as well as halt exports of military-use goods such as semiconductors.

India fails to condemn Russian actions in Ukraine

01:09 , Tom Batchelor

India has so far avoided condemning Russian actions in Ukraine, although Prime Minister Narendra Modi did urge an end to violence there in a call with Vladimir Putin.

Joe Biden said Washington is in still unresolved “consultations” with India, when asked if Washington and Delhi were fully in sync on a response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

India has developed close ties with Washington in recent years but has a long-standing close relationship with Moscow, which remains a major supplier of its defense equipment.

China arranging evacuation flights with 6,000 nationals in Ukraine

00:57 , Tom Batchelor

Chinese nationals are being invited to register for chartered flights to leave Ukraine, having previously resisted urging its citizens to leave.

In a notice on the Chinese embassy’s official WeChat account, it said people could register to leave until 27 February, at which point the flights would be arranged.

There are 6,000 Chinese nationals in the Ukraine, said a spokesperson from the embassy.

UK sanctions will have little impact on Putin despite Boris Johnson’s claims, say experts

00:45 , Tom Batchelor

Huge holes in financial sanctions and the “grotesque underfunding” of crime agencies have weakened the UK’s ability to fight back against Vladimir Putin, experts have said.

Lawyers told The Independent that a fresh round of sanctions announced today would be ineffective and largely symbolic, despite Boris Johnson’s claims that new measures would “hobble” Russia’s economy.

Here is the story:

UK sanctions will have little impact on Putin, say experts

UN to vote on Friday on draft Ukraine resolution

00:30 , Tom Batchelor

The United Nations Security Council will vote on Friday on a draft resolution that would condemn Russia for invading Ukraine and require Moscow to immediately and unconditionally withdraw – although the measure is doomed to fail since Moscow can cast a veto (Reuters reports).

The US-drafted resolution is then expected to be taken up by the 193-member UN General Assembly within days, a senior US administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.

Although action will be blocked in the 15-member Security Council, Washington and allies see a vote as a chance to show Moscow is isolated over its actions. Diplomats said it appeared at least 11 members would vote in favour, while it was unclear how China, India and the United Arab Emirates would vote.

The draft Security Council resolution, seen by Reuters, would condemn Russia’s “aggression” against Ukraine, demand it “immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces” and reverse its recognition of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.

Ukraine death toll hits 137 with 316 wounded as Russian assault intensifies

00:07 , Tom Batchelor

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has said 137 people have been killed, and 316 wounded so far.

Here is the latest:

Ukraine death toll rises and hundreds injured as Russian assault intensifies

Zelensky bans 18-60-year-old men from leaving Ukraine as he orders full military mobilisation

00:03 , Tom Batchelor

Ukraine’s interior ministry has banned men aged between 18 and 60 from leaving the country as it seeks to bolster its defences against the Russian invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered a full military mobilisation to counter the Russian invasion.

In a decree issued late on Thursday, he said the the mobilisation would last 90 days.

He has tasked the military’s general staff with determining the number of people eligible for service and the number of reservists as well as the order of the call-up.

CNN reporter comes face-to-face with Russian soldiers

Thursday 24 February 2022 23:56 , Tom Batchelor

Remarkable footage shows CNN journalist Matthew Chance and his camera crew within metres of Russian airborne troops as they fight with Ukrainian forces near the country’s capital.

Mr Chance says in the clip that he has spoken with the head of the Russian unit and at one point urges the person filming the report to stand up and show the Russian troops, who were fighting at an airbase outside Kiev.

US warns Putin has grander ambitions than Ukraine

Thursday 24 February 2022 23:37 , Tom Batchelor

Vladimir Putin has grander ambitions than Ukraine, the White House said when asked about the Russian leader’s ultimate goals.

Earlier, President Joe Biden said his Russian counterpart “wants to, in fact, re-establish the former Soviet Union”.

White House ‘outraged’ over reports of Chernobyl hostage-taking

Thursday 24 February 2022 23:29 , Tom Batchelor

The White House has said it is “outraged” at reports of hostages at the facilities at Chernobyl following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The unverified reports from earlier in the day suggested Russian troops was holding personnel who had been working at nuclear power plant.

The White House called the reports “credible”.

“We’re outraged by credible reports that Russian soldiers are currently holding the staff of the Chernobyl facilities hostage,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

“This unlawful and dangerous hostage-taking which could upend the routine civil service efforts required to maintain and protect the nuclear waste facility is obviously incredibly alarming and incredibly concerning, and we request their release.”

Ukraine warns of new ‘iron curtain’ across Europe

Thursday 24 February 2022 23:24 , Tom Batchelor

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of trying to lower a “new iron curtain” across the continent.

“What we have heard today are not just missile blasts, fighting and the rumble of aircraft,” said Mr Zelensky. “This is the sound of a new iron curtain, which has come down and is closing Russia off from the civilised world. Our national task is to make sure this curtain does not fall across our land.”

Here is a summary of a momentous day for Europe and the world:

Ukraine warns of new ‘iron curtain’ after Russian invasion

Russia has more than 60 battalion tactical groups in Ukraine, says military

Thursday 24 February 2022 23:03 , Tom Batchelor

Ukraine’s military says Russia has already moved more than 60 battalion tactical groups across the border.

In a post on Facebook, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said Russian troops were launching “full-scale aggression against Ukraine”.

“At this time, more than 60 battalion tactical groups have been introduced to the territory of Ukraine,” the post said.

A battalion tactical group can contain between 700 and 900 people and can include tanks, anti-aircraft machinery and other units.

Bolsonaro slaps down vice president for criticising invasion

Thursday 24 February 2022 22:50 , Tom Batchelor

Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro has slapped down his vice president Hamilton Mourao for saying that the country opposed the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Mourao earlier on Thursday condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. His comments went well beyond a statement by Brazil’s foreign ministry expressing concern about Russia’s military operations and urging a diplomatic solution.

Mr Bolsonaro, speaking on a webcast to his supporters, said only he, the president, could speak about the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, and it was not Mr Mourao’s business.

Ukrainians explain why they are fleeing to Poland

Thursday 24 February 2022 22:27 , Andy Gregory

Passengers on a train from Ukraine have arrived at Przemysl station in southeastern Poland this evening, fleeing the country after Russia launched an invasion.

Pulling suitcases, passengers queued to go through customs and continue their journeys from the small Polish city just a few kilometres over the border.

Aid agencies have warned the conflict could spark a major refugee crisis, with the US warning up to five million people could be displaced. Poland alone is preparing to receive up to one million refugees.

Macron ‘demands Putin immediately cease military operations'

Thursday 24 February 2022 22:19 , Andy Gregory

Emmanuel Macron has demanded that Vladimir Putin immediately cease military operations in Ukraine in a phone call on Thursday, the Elysee palace said.

After consulting with his Ukrainian counterpart, the French president told Mr Putin just before entering an EU summit that he had exposed himself to “massive sanctions”, the Elysee said.

Mr Macron has held a number of phone calls with the Russian president in recent months, and had raised hopes of diplomatic route out of the crisis only last week, which were quickly dashed by Mr Putin’s recognition of two breakaway regions in the Donbas as independent entities hours later.

UK sanctions will have little impact on Putin despite Boris Johnson’s claims, say experts

Thursday 24 February 2022 22:03 , Andy Gregory

Huge holes in financial sanctions and the “grotesque underfunding” of crime agencies have weakened the UK's ability to fight back against Vladimir Putin, experts have said.

Lawyers told The Independent that a fresh round of sanctions announced today would be ineffective and largely symbolic, despite Boris Johnson's claims that new measures would “hobble” Russia's economy.

Ben Chapman has the full story here:

UK sanctions will have little impact on Putin, say experts

Ceasefire monitors to evacuate Ukraine

Thursday 24 February 2022 21:52 , Andy Gregory

The monitoring group tasked with observing former plans for a ceasefire in the Donbas since conflict broke out there in 2014 has announced it is evacuating its hundreds of staff from Ukraine.

“I have decided to temporarily evacuate all international mission members from Ukraine as soon as possible,” the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s secretary general Helga Schmid said in a statement.

“This decision was not taken lightly and the relocation is meant to be temporary. The safety of the dedicated women and men who serve as impartial eyes and ears of the international community on the ground throughout the country is imperative.”

Russia’s invasion was ‘long-planned’, MI6 chief says

Thursday 24 February 2022 21:36 , Andy Gregory

Russia's attack on Ukraine was a “long-planned, unprovoked, cruel aggression”, the head of MI6 has said.

Richard Moore, known in Whitehall as C, tweeted that “US and UK intelligence communities uncovered Putin's plans for Ukraine”.

“We exposed his attempts to engineer 'false flag', fake attacks to justify his invasion. We revealed his plans to assassinate Ukrainian leaders and senior officials.

“This attack was long planned, unprovoked, cruel aggression. No amount of Russian disinformation will now disguise that fact from the international community.”

57 dead and 169 wounded, says Ukraine‘s health minister

Thursday 24 February 2022 21:08 , Andy Gregory

Ukraine‘s health minister says 57 people have been killed as a result of the Russian invasion, with 169 more wounded.

Ukraine death toll rises and more than hundred injured as Russian assault intensifies

What did Biden say today? Read the president’s full speech

Thursday 24 February 2022 21:02 , Tom Batchelor

US President Joe Biden announced additional sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, warning that Vladimir Putin will ultimately pay a price for the unprovoked aggression.

Here is a transcript of Mr Biden’s remarks in full:

What Biden said today about Russia’s attack on Ukraine

Jen Psaki holds briefing after Biden gives speech on Russia

Thursday 24 February 2022 20:54 , Tom Batchelor

‘Deluded autocrat creating misery for millions’: EU leaders lambast Putin

Thursday 24 February 2022 20:46 , Tom Batchelor

EU leaders have been lambasting Vladimir Putin and his military strategy as they arrived for an emergency summit in Brussels.

Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins described Mr Putin as “a deluded autocrat creating misery for millions”.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said: “We were not successful enough, not decisive enough, to prevent Russia from this step, which is a tragedy for Ukraine, a tragedy for Europe and a tragedy for Russia itself.”

160 missiles launched during attack, says US official

Thursday 24 February 2022 20:39 , Tom Batchelor

A US official has said Russia launched 160 missiles during the first hours of fighting in Ukraine.

Reuters reported the senior US defence official’s comments on Thursday evening as fighting was said to be continuing across the country.

The news agency also reported that Russia was continuing to send its troops into Ukraine, citing a US official.

Britain at loggerheads with EU allies over move to cut Russia from Swift banking system

Thursday 24 February 2022 20:27 , Tom Batchelor

Boris Johnson is at loggerheads with European allies over a key measure to lock Vladimir Putin’s Russia out of the international banking system in a potentially crippling response to his invasion of Ukraine.

Exclusion from the Swift money transfer facility was included by the UK as an aspiration in what the prime minister described as “the largest and most severe package of economic sanctions that Russia has ever seen”.

But despite Mr Johnson’s efforts to persuade German chancellor Olaf Scholz in a phone call that the consequences of Western under-reaction would be “unthinkable”, the EU looked set to block the move due to opposition from Berlin and Rome.

Here is the latest:

Britain at loggerheads with EU allies over cutting Russia from Swift bank system

Humanitarian group prepares medical supplies for Ukraine

Thursday 24 February 2022 20:22 , Tom Batchelor

Humanitarian group Project Hope says it has an initial shipment of medical supplies on standby in The Netherlands and is working with the World Health Organisation to send them to Ukraine.

The organisation said 2.9 million people in Ukraine were already in need of urgent humanitarian assistance even before the Russian military incursion.

Chris Skopec, Executive Vice President of Global Health for Project Hope, said: “The conflict in Ukraine is a devastating blow for millions of Ukrainians who have already been living in a humanitarian crisis even before the first bombs fell.

“At this point, there is no way to ease the suffering that is to come unless there is a total stop to the conflict. Short of that, millions of people may suffer as the country spirals into a humanitarian crisis that impacts Ukraine’s most vulnerable people.

“Civilians have already been killed, just hours into this conflict. At least one hospital has already been hit. Long lines of people are trying to flee major cities. These numbers will get exponentially worse and add to the more than 850,000 internally displaced people already struggling to survive in Ukraine.”

Ukraine requests urgent UN Human Rights Council debate

Thursday 24 February 2022 20:14 , Tom Batchelor

Ukraine has requested an urgent debate be held at the UN Human Rights Council on the situation stemming from the ‘Russian aggression’, the United Nations has said (Reuters reports).

“This is (a) response to the extremely grave deterioration in the human rights situation in Ukraine as a result of Russia’s hostilities on Ukrainian territory,” Yevheniia Filipenko, Ukraine‘s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, said in a letter sent to the president’s forum, posted in a tweet by its mission to the UN in Geneva.

The EU said in a separate tweet that it supported the move.

The Council president will meet and discuss the request with the 47-member body for its consideration, a UN statement said. A simple majority is needed to hold an urgent debate during its main annual month-long session opening on Monday.

How did Russia’s invasion of Ukraine unfold?

Thursday 24 February 2022 20:08 , Tom Batchelor

Russia launched a large-scale military invasion on Ukraine following orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday morning.

Russian troops entered the eastern European country from all sides and from land, air and sea, with reports of attacks and missile strikes across the country, including near to the capital, Kiev.

The invasion comes after several months of increasing tensions and a worsening relationship between Russia and the west.

Here is the backdrop to today’s events:

How did Russia’s invasion of Ukraine unfold?

Russian military plane crashes in south of country

Thursday 24 February 2022 20:01 , Tom Batchelor

A Russian AN-26 military transport plane has crashed in Russia’s southern Voronezh region after a possible technical failure, killing its crew on board.

Russia’s Interfax news agency quoted military officials as saying it had not inflicted any damage on the ground.

Germany says cutting Russia out of SWIFT should be held for future

Thursday 24 February 2022 19:57 , Tom Batchelor

Cutting off Russia from the SWIFT global interbank payment system should not be part of the second EU sanctions package against Russia that EU leaders will decide upon at a meeting on Thursday in Brussels, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.

“It is very important that we agree those measures that have been prepared - and keep everything else for a situation where it may be necessary to go beyond that,” Scholz told reporters, responding to a question on SWIFT, as he arrived to an emergency summit set to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Iran backs Russia, says it ‘hopes invasion will benefit entire region'

Thursday 24 February 2022 19:51 , Tom Batchelor

Iran has defended Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying Nato’s “expansion” was a “serious threat” to the region’s security and stability.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told Vladimir Putin in a phone call “Nato’s expansion eastward creates tension and is a serious threat to the stability and security of independent states in various areas”, the semi-official Nour News reported.

“I hope what is happening will benefit peoples and the entire region,” he said.

US sending 7,000 troops to Germany

Thursday 24 February 2022 19:45 , Tom Batchelor

The United States is sending 7,000 troops to Germany to help reassure Nato allies who are part of a larger contingent that had already been put on alert earlier this year, a senior US defense official has told Reuters.

The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the troops would be made up of an armored brigade combat team and would leave for Germany in the coming days.

President Joe Biden referred to these troops in a speech earlier on Thursday.

Moldova opts for 60-day state of emergency

Thursday 24 February 2022 19:39 , Tom Batchelor

Moldova‘s parliament has voted to approve a state of emergency for 60 days after Russia’s military operation against Ukraine.

Earlier in the day, Maia Sandu, the country’s president, said Moldova has seen the first refugee crossings from Ukraine.

On Thursday afternoon, Ms Sandu met with EU leaders and expressed thanks for the bloc’s support.

Biden: ‘Putin chose this war, he will pay’

Thursday 24 February 2022 19:32 , Tom Batchelor

President Joe Biden forcefully condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Thursday afternoon, and announced strong sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime.

“Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences,” Mr Biden said in an address from the White House, noting how he moved 175,000 troops and military supplies ahead of the invasion.

Here is the full story:

Biden says Putin ‘will pay’ as he announces ‘major’ sanctions on Russia

Biden vows to cut communication with Putin and make him an international ‘pariah’

Thursday 24 February 2022 19:25 , Tom Batchelor

The US president, Joe Biden, has vowed to cut all communications with Russian leader and make him an international “pariah”.

Here is the breaking story:

Biden refuses to say why US not personally sanctioning Putin after Ukraine invasion

China dismisses description of Russian moves as ‘invasion’

Thursday 24 February 2022 19:17 , Tom Batchelor

China has rejected the description of Russia’s moves on Ukraine as an “invasion” and urged all sides to exercise restraint.

“China is closely monitoring the latest situation. We call on all sides to exercise restraint to prevent the situation from getting out of control,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

“This is perhaps a difference between China and you Westerners. We won’t go rushing to a conclusion,” she said.

“Regarding the definition of an invasion, I think we should go back to how to view the current situation in Ukraine. The Ukrainian issue has other very complicated historical background that has continued to today. It may not be what everyone wants to see.”

83 Ukrainian military facilities destroyed, says Russian defence spokesperson

Thursday 24 February 2022 19:12 , Tom Batchelor

A Russian defence ministry spokesperson has said Russian forces have destroyed 83 of Ukraine’s “above-ground military facilities”.

Slovenia calls for Ukraine to join EU by 2030

Thursday 24 February 2022 19:07 , Tom Batchelor

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa has said Ukraine should join the EU by 2030.

He also said he supported the most hard-hitting sanctions against Russia that was possible to agree among EU countries.

“We woke up in a different Europe, a different word today. Speaking of sanctions as we know from history is not enough,” Mr Janza said on arriving to emergency talks among EU national leaders.

“If the space of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law is not enlarging, somebody else is,” he said, in calling for Kyiv to get “a real European perspective”.

Biden promises new sanctions after Russia’s ‘flagrant violation of international law'

Thursday 24 February 2022 19:01 , Tom Batchelor

Joe Biden has vowed new sanctions after what he called a flagrant violation of international law and Russia’s rejection of diplomacy.

“For weeks, we have been warning that this would happen, and now it’s unfolding largely as we predicted,” the president said in a statement at the White House.

He said the invasion marked a “flagrant violation of international law.”

Joe Biden speaks about the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the East Room of the White House (AP)
Joe Biden speaks about the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the East Room of the White House (AP)

Analysis: Russia targets control of the Black Sea to further threaten the west

Thursday 24 February 2022 18:56 , Tom Batchelor

After more than a century as a mostly somnolent backwater, the Black Seahas suddenly emerged as a major frontline and potential flashpoint between Russia and the West following the invasion of Ukraine, writes Borzou Daragahi.

Seizing control of Ukraine’s entire 1,400 kilometre Black Sea coastline would allow Russia to lord over the other littoral states, and give it the ability to project power toward the Balkans and the Near East, where Russian forces are positioned in the Syrian city of Tartus.

Here is the full analysis from our international correspondent:

In Ukraine invasion, Russia targets control of Black Sea to further threaten the west

Ukrainian ambassador warns about Russia capturing Chernobyl nuclear power plant

Thursday 24 February 2022 18:50 , Tom Batchelor

The Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been captured by Russian forces, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidential office, Mykhailo Podolyak, has said.

“It is impossible to say the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is safe after a totally pointless attack by the Russians,” he said.

“This is one of the most serious threats in Europe today.”

Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, warned that the Russian was entering from the zone where the Chernobyl power plant is located.

He said that they had been tried to improve their military power in the past years, but it wasn’t enough.

“That’s why we tried to get into Nato. But you know how real it is, when you have to prepare your nation to sacrifice ourselves, and we don’t have a huge army.”

First refugees arrive in Poland from Ukraine

Thursday 24 February 2022 18:44 , Tom Batchelor

Some of the first refugees from Ukraine have begun to arrive in Poland by road and rail.

A train from Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine arrived on Thursday afternoon in the Polish town of Przemysl, near Ukraine‘s western border, carrying a few hundred passengers.

The passengers of various ages, arriving with bags and backpacks, told the Associated Press they were fleeing war.

The chief of Poland’s border guards, General Tomasz Praga, said there was a visible increase in the number of people wanting to cross into Poland.

Officials said Poland has prepared at least eight centres with food, medical care and places to rest.

Watch live as Biden gives speech on Russian invasion of Ukraine

Thursday 24 February 2022 18:39 , Tom Batchelor

EU to finalise new sanctions against Russia

Thursday 24 February 2022 18:38 , Tom Batchelor

EU leaders will impose new sanctions on Russia, freezing its assets, halting its banks’ access to European financial markets and hitting “Kremlin interests” over its invasion of Ukraine, senior officials said on Thursday.

Brussels will also target Russia’s trade, energy and transport, among other sectors, and include export controls in what the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell described as “the harshest package of sanctions we have ever implemented”.

An emergency summit starting at 7pm GMT will also discuss offering EU candidate status to Ukraine, Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda said, a step Kyiv has long called for, though it may not win approval from all EU leaders.

Top Republicans condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine – days after Trump called Putin a ‘genius’

Thursday 24 February 2022 18:32 , Tom Batchelor

Few Republican politicians criticised President Joe Biden as Russia invaded Ukraine, breaking with former president Donald Trump, who has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy squarely placed the blame for the invasion on Mr Putin’s shoulders and did not even mention the Democratic president.

Ahead of the invasion, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell condemned Mr Putin and urged President Biden to take necessary action.

Here is the latest on the latest on the US political reaction to the conflict:

Top Republicans condemn Russian invasion – days after Trump called Putin a ‘genius’

Video appears to show Russian police detaining anti-war protesters

Thursday 24 February 2022 18:26 , Tom Batchelor

Unverified footage shared on Twitter shows Russian police reportedly detaining anti-war protesters, who have been staging demonstrations in dozens of Russian cities.

Port city of Mariupol comes under heavy fire

Thursday 24 February 2022 18:19 , Tom Batchelor

The outskirts of Ukraine‘s southeastern port city of Mariupol – close to the Donetsk region – came under heavy fire and hundreds of explosions have been observed there, a diplomatic source has told Reuters.

Mariupol is one of the biggest Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea and mainly handles relatively small ships of between 3,000 to 10,000 tonnes.

It handles exports of wheat, barley and corn to Mediterranean importers including Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Lebanon and Turkey.

‘Everyone here is scared’: Inside the bomb shelters Ukrainians fear will collapse

Thursday 24 February 2022 18:14 , Tom Batchelor

Airstrikes on Ukraine by Russian forces have forced many civilians to flee to bomb shelters, but there have been warnings that there are not enough places to shelter and some refuges are inaccessible.

Oksana Pokalchuk, the director of Amnesty International Ukraine, says the biggest problem with the shelters which appear unusable is the fact their entrances look dangerous and inaccessible.

“The shelters do not look safe. If airstrikes happen, it looks like they will fall down,” she told The Independent.

Here is the story:

‘Everyone here is scared’: Inside the bomb shelters Ukrainians fear will collapse

Chernobyl nuclear site ‘under control of Russian troops'

Thursday 24 February 2022 18:04 , Tom Batchelor

A presidential adviser says Ukraine has lost control of the Chernobyl nuclear site after a fierce battle.

Ukraine’s prime minister has also said the Chernobyl area, which is around 100km north of the Ukrainian capital, or a two hour drive, is now under the control of Russian troops, Reuters reports.

'Terrorist number one’: Ukrainians in the US call for West to do more following Putin’s invasion

Thursday 24 February 2022 17:59 , Joe Middleton

Ukrainians in New York are urging the West to to step up their support for their home country to defeat “terrorist number one” Vladimir Putin.

Sergiy Donkin, the head of a local Ukrainian-US organisation, told The Independent the Ukrainian military could hold out against Russian forces for a time, but would need additional military and financial backing.

“Ukraine has a strong army right now, has a good president. There’s no panic, we need to stop this crazy guy, Putin. He is terrorist number one in the world,” he told The Independent on Thursday.

“I hope that the US stops this crazy guy. America, England, every normal country needs to support us.”

Mr Donkin said he hadn’t slept since the invasion began, and was in close contact with friends and family back home.

Bevan Hurley reports.

The New York Ukrainians organising medical aid for their homeland as Russia invades

Hundreds of Russian anti-war protestors arrested

Thursday 24 February 2022 17:47 , Tom Batchelor

Russian police have detained hundreds of people at anti-war protests that took place in 39 Russian cities across the country on Thursday, the OVD-Info protest monitor said.

The OVD-Info monitor, which has documented crackdowns on Russia’s opposition for years, said at least 705 arrests had been made as of 5.18pm GMT.

Thursday 24 February 2022 17:30 , Joe Middleton

G7 leaders condemn 'unprovoked and completely unjustified attack’ on Ukraine

Thursday 24 February 2022 17:22 , Joe Middleton

G7 leaders have condemned Russia’s “unprovoked and completely unjustified attack” on Ukraine as a “serious violation” of international law.

In a statement following a conference call by the heads of the leading industrial nations including Boris Johnson, they called on President Putin to withdraw his forces.

“This crisis is a serious threat to the rules-based international order, with ramifications well beyond Europe,” the said in a joint statement.

“There is no justification for changing internationally recognised borders by force. This has fundamentally changed the Euro/Atlantic security situation.

“President Putin has re-introduced war to the European continent. He has put himself on the wrong side of history.

“We call on the Russian Federation to stop the bloodshed, to immediately de-escalate and to withdraw its forces from Ukraine.”

Boris Johnson imposes new sanctions on over 100 Russian oligarchs and entities

Thursday 24 February 2022 17:13 , Joe Middleton

Mr Johnson has said Britain will impose economic sanctions on more than 100 Russian individuals, entities and subsidiaries – including oligarchs close to president Vladimir Putin.

The prime minister vowed to “hobble” the Russian economy in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, as he set out the government’s plan to expand sanctions in the Commons on Thursday.

Mr Johnson said the government intended to freeze the assets of all major Russian banks – including VTB – and would ban the Russian airline Aeroflot from landing planes in the UK.

Adam Forrest has the details.

Boris Johnson imposes new sanctions on over 100 Russian oligarchs and entities

UK will implement ‘largest and most severe package of economic sanctions that Russia has ever seen’, says PM

Thursday 24 February 2022 17:09 , Joe Middleton

Mr Johnson told the Commons the UK will implement “the largest and most severe package of economic sanctions that Russia has ever seen” in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The prime minister is currently giving an update to MPs (UK Parliament)
The prime minister is currently giving an update to MPs (UK Parliament)

Boris Johnson: Putin is a ‘blood-stained aggressor’

Thursday 24 February 2022 17:07 , Joe Middleton

Mr Johnson is giving an update to MPs in the House of Commons about the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

He told MPs that Russian President Vladimir Putin was behaving like a “a bloodstained aggressor who believes in imperial conquest” and that he was “always determined to attack his neighbour, no matter what we did’’.

Watch live here:

EU leaders set to agree ‘massive and severe' sanctions on Russia

Thursday 24 February 2022 17:03 , Joe Middleton

EU leaders meeting today will agree to impose further sanctions on Russia that would have “massive and severe” consequences for Moscow, according to a draft of their summit conclusions.

“The European Council today agrees on further restrictive measures that will impose massive and severe consequences on Russia for its action, in close coordination with our partners and allies,” said the draft, which was seen by Reuters.

“The European Council calls for the swift preparation of a further sanctions package that will also cover Belarus,” it added.

‘Are they trying to kill us?’: Ordinary Ukrainians face reality of war as Russia attacks

Thursday 24 February 2022 16:56 , Joe Middleton

Many Ukrainians thought war would never happen but as they huddled in basements from Russian airstrikes, it was finally clear the front line had come to them, reports Kim Sengupta from Kiev.

‘Are they trying to kill us?’: Ordinary Ukrainians face reality of war

Thursday 24 February 2022 16:51 , Joe Middleton

Liz Truss kicks Russian ambassador out of Foreign Office after saying he should be ‘ashamed’

Thursday 24 February 2022 16:45 , Joe Middleton

Foreign secretary Liz Truss has told Russia’s ambassador to the UK he should be “ashamed of himself” before kicking him out of the Foreign Office after a heated meeting.

It comes after the cabinet minister summoned the Kremlin’s top diplomat in Britain, Andrei Kelin, for the second time this week to explain the “illegal, unprovoked invasion” of Ukraine and breach of international law.

Despite repeated denials of plans for an invasion, Moscow last night launched a major military offensive in the Eastern European country, with air raid sirens heard ringing out in the capital, Kyiv.

Ashley Cowburn and Adam Forrest have the details.

Truss kicks Russian ambassador out of Foreign Office and says he should be ‘ashamed’

How many US troops could help Ukraine and where are they stationed?

Thursday 24 February 2022 16:38 , Joe Middleton

President Joe Biden is reportedly considering moving American troops in Europe further east in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after insisting the US military would not directly enter the conflict.

A senior US official disclosed the alleged considerations to CNN on Thursday morning as Mr Biden convened a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss developments in the crisis.

The US currently has roughly 90,000 troops on the continent, with Mr Biden steadily increasing the concentration in Eastern Europe in recent weeks as Russia ramped up its presence at the Ukrainian border.

Over the past month, the president has deployed around 5,000 US-based troops to Europe, the majority to Germany – and more than doubled the number of troops in Poland and Romania to around 9,000 and 2,000, respectively.

Megan Sheets reports.

How many US troops could help Ukraine and where are they stationed?

Ban Russia from SWIFT, urges Ukraine’s foreign minister

Thursday 24 February 2022 16:25 , Joe Middleton

Ukraine’s foreign minister today urged countries to ban Russia from the SWIFT global interbank payments system.

EU leaders will impose new sanctions on Russia such as freezing its assets, halting its banks’ access to European financial markets , senior officials today. But cutting Russia off from SWIFT is unlikely to happen at this stage.

West must end Russian ‘grip’ on politics by ending dependence on Putin’s oil, urges Boris Johnson

Thursday 24 February 2022 16:18 , Chiara Giordano

Boris Johnson is rallying European leaders to sever the dependence on Russian oil that has given Vladimir Putin a “grip” on Western politics in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

The prime minister was working with allies on Thursday to create a “massive” package of sanctions that will “hobble the Russia economy”.

The Ukrainian ambassador to the UK also earlier called on allies to stop buying Russian oil and gas.

PM: West must end Russian ‘grip’ on politics by ending dependence on Putin’s oil

Russian reconnaissance platoon surrenders near Chernihiv, according to Ukraine military chief

Thursday 24 February 2022 16:08 , Chiara Giordano

A Ukraine military chief has said a Russian reconnaissance platoon surrendered near the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine

International Space Station’s US and Russian astronauts will continue as normal, Nasa says

Thursday 24 February 2022 16:02 , Chiara Giordano

The International Space Station will continue as normal even amid the war in Ukraine, Nasa has said.

The space agency has confirmed that collaborative operations between it and the Russian space agency will still go on, despite the rapidly escalating tensions between their two countries.

Follow our breaking news story here:

Nasa gives update on International Space Station amid war in Ukraine

Stranded Brazilian footballers in Ukraine call for help from government

Thursday 24 February 2022 15:54 , Chiara Giordano

Brazilian footballers left stranded in Ukraine have called for help from their government following Russia’s invasion of the country.

The group of players from Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv were today seen sheltering in a hotel in the capital city in a video posted on Instagram.

Stranded Brazilian footballers in Ukraine call for help from government

Kremlin website goes dark amid Russian invasion of Ukraine

Thursday 24 February 2022 15:51 , Chiara Giordano

The Kremlin’s website has gone offline amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Follow our breaking news story for more updates:

Kremlin website goes dark

Ukrainian ambassador calls for string of economic sanctions against Russia

Thursday 24 February 2022 15:50 , Chiara Giordano

Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, has outlined a number of economic sanctions his country wish to see put in place.

He called on allies to stop buying Russian oil and gas, and to ban foreign investment in Russia, including stopping western Government pension funds being invested in Russian assets.

He called on the West to sanction the Russian Central Bank, as well as state-owned and private banks, and to sanction all rouble transactions in western banks.

He said Russia should be blocked from the Swift payment system, and disconnected from Visa and Mastercard systems.

He said personal sanctions should also be expanded to all those on the sanctions lists of western countries, and their families, including asset freezing, visa cancellations, revoking their passports, and sending them back to Russia.

Russian efforts to seize Chernobyl are ‘declaration of war against the whole of Europe’, says Ukrainian PM

Thursday 24 February 2022 15:35 , Chiara Giordano

Ukraine’s president has said Russian troops’ efforts to seize Chernobyl nuclear power plant is “a declaration of war against the whole of Europe”.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter: “Russian occupation forces are trying to seize the #Chornobyl_NPP.

“Our defenders are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated. Reported this to @SwedishPM.

“This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe.”

Ukrainian ambassador asks Nato for ‘no-fly zone’ over country

Thursday 24 February 2022 15:30 , Chiara Giordano

Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK has asked Nato for a “no-fly zone” over the country.

Ukrainian forces fighting to prevent Russian troops taking Chernobyl, says Zelenskyy

Thursday 24 February 2022 15:25 , Chiara Giordano

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukrainian forces are fighting to prevent Russian troops from Chernobyl.

Russian soldiers have entered the area surrounding the former nuclear power plant.

Elsewhere, parts of Ukraine's southern Kherson region are no longer under Kiev's control, the regional administration said, as Russian forces attack by land, sea and air.

More on the situation at Chernobyl from my colleague Rory Sullivan here:

Fighting breaks out near Chernobyl, says Ukrainian president

The New York Ukrainians organising medical aid for their homeland as Russia invades

Thursday 24 February 2022 15:22 , Chiara Giordano

Members of the US-based non-profit Razom for Ukraine are organising medical supplies and helping to train civilian medics as part of a country-wide effort to repel the Russian military.

Board member Maria Genkin, 46, told The Independent the organisation had raised $70,000 in recent days as part of the effort.

Ms Genkin, who moved to the US 27 years ago, said she had spent much of Thursday coordinating with territorial defence units in Ukraine.

Here, she talks to our reporter Bevan Hurley:

The New York Ukrainians organising medical aid for their homeland as Russia invades

Missile appears to hit Odessa military base amid Russian-Ukraine invasion

Thursday 24 February 2022 15:17 , Chiara Giordano

Russian missiles have targeted air bases and military infrastructure in at least 25 Ukrainian cities, Eliza Ketcher reports.

CCTV footage shows a huge explosion after a missile appears to strike the Odessa military base, with other blasts reported in cities including Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Dnipro and Mariupol.

Schalke remove Gazprom logo from team shirts after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Thursday 24 February 2022 15:12 , Chiara Giordano

German football team Schalke 04 has removed the name of Russian sponsors Gazprom from their shirts.

The 2 Bundesliga club have been sponsored by the energy giant, which is majority-owned by the Russian state, since 2007, but will replace the logo with “Schalke 04”.

Schalke remove Russian sponsor from team shirts

Watch live as Ukrainian ambassador to UK holds briefing on Russian invasion

Thursday 24 February 2022 15:08 , Chiara Giordano

Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK is currently holding a briefing on the situation.

You can watch our live stream here:

Map plots explosions and troop movements in Ukraine

Thursday 24 February 2022 15:04 , Chiara Giordano

Here’s a graphic showing explosions and troop movements in Ukraine as Russia continues to invade

Russian troop movements and reported explosions in Ukraine (Press Association Images)
Russian troop movements and reported explosions in Ukraine (Press Association Images)

Watch as Russian airborne troops ‘take control’ of Antonov airport to form air bridge

Thursday 24 February 2022 14:59 , Chiara Giordano

A CNN journalist at Antonov airport, about 15 miles outside the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, is reporting that Russian airborne troops have now taken the airport.

Senior international correspondent Matthew Chance, who is at the scene, said he had spoken to the commander of the unit, who said they are now “in control of the airport”.

They are reportedly aiming to form an air bridge to allow more Russian troops to enter Ukraine via the air base.

Ukrainian defences are thought to be planning a counter offensive to take back the airport.

Video: Emergency workers battle apartment block fire after reported missile attack in Ukraine

Thursday 24 February 2022 14:45 , Chiara Giordano

A missile attack has devastated a residential district in eastern Ukraine.

Footage shared on social media shows emergency crews battling a fire in an apartment block in Chuguiv, a small town in the Kharkiv region.

‘Darkest hour’: Russia launches invasion of Ukraine as world leaders vow to punish Putin

Thursday 24 February 2022 14:38 , Chiara Giordano

Russia unleashed all-out war on Ukraine from land, sea and air on Thursday, attacking targets all around the country including the capital Kiev, pushing Europe towards its most ruinous conflict since 1945 and prompting international fury at the actions of President Vladimir Putin.

Officially, at least 40 Ukrainian lives, including civilians, have already been lost to the conflict, but that number is certain to grow much higher as the conflict rages. Ukraine claims to have killed 50 Russians.

My colleague Samuel Lovett has a summary of the key updates so far:

Russia launches invasion of Ukraine as world leaders vow to punish Putin

Explosion at power plant - minister

Thursday 24 February 2022 14:33 , Zoe Tidman

Ukraine’s energy minister says there has been an explosion at the Trypilska power station but it continues to operate.

Reuters

Images from Ukraine

Thursday 24 February 2022 14:28 , Chiara Giordano

Here are some images coming out of Ukraine after Russian troops invaded

Damaged radar, a vehicle and equipment are seen at a Ukrainian military facility outside Mariupol (AP)
Damaged radar, a vehicle and equipment are seen at a Ukrainian military facility outside Mariupol (AP)
man sits outside his destroyed building after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv (AFP via Getty Images)
man sits outside his destroyed building after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv (AFP via Getty Images)
People cross the railway tracks at a station in Kramatorsk in Ukraine (Getty Images)
People cross the railway tracks at a station in Kramatorsk in Ukraine (Getty Images)
Russian military vehicles drive along a street in the town of Armyansk in Crimea (REUTERS)
Russian military vehicles drive along a street in the town of Armyansk in Crimea (REUTERS)
Smoke rise from an air defence base in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Mariupol in Ukraine (AP)
Smoke rise from an air defence base in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Mariupol in Ukraine (AP)

Ukranian police says there has been 203 attacks by Russia so far

Thursday 24 February 2022 14:25 , Chiara Giordano

Ukrainian police said Russia had carried out 203 attacks since the beginning of Thursday, with fighting going on almost everywhere throughout Ukraine‘s territory.

Reuters

Rescuers work at crash site of Ukranian military plane

Thursday 24 February 2022 14:20 , Chiara Giordano

Rescuers have been seen working at the crash site of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Antonov aircraft, which the state emergency service says was shot down in the Kyiv region:

Rescuers work at the crash site of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Antonov aircraft, which, according to the state emergency service, was shot down in Kyiv region (via REUTERS)
Rescuers work at the crash site of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Antonov aircraft, which, according to the state emergency service, was shot down in Kyiv region (via REUTERS)

Nigel Farage says Ukraine invasion is result of EU and Nato provoking Putin

Thursday 24 February 2022 14:15 , Chiara Giordano

Nigel Farage has claimed the Russian invasion of Ukraine happened because of Western provocation of Vladimir Putin.

The former Brexit Party and Ukip chief said the attack was a consequence of Nato and the EU trying to "poke the Russian bear with a stick".

Our policy correspondent Jon Stone has more on his comments below:

Nigel Farage says Ukraine invasion is result of EU and Nato provoking Putin

‘Ukraine has severed diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation'

Thursday 24 February 2022 14:10 , Zoe Tidman

Comments from Ukraine’s foreign minister:

“Ukraine has severed diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation. I urge all partners to do the same. Demonstrate with this concrete step that you, together with Ukraine, categorically reject the most daring act of armed aggression in Europe since the Second World War.”

Airport seen burning after explosion

Thursday 24 February 2022 14:05 , Zoe Tidman

Ivano-Frankivsk Airport in western Ukraine has been seen burning after an explosion from a supposed Russian missile strike.

UK will bring in ‘unprecedented’ sanctions against Russia, minister insists

Thursday 24 February 2022 14:00 , Chiara Giordano

Foreign office minister James Cleverly has said the UK will bring in an “unprecedented level of sanctions” against Russia to “punish this aggression”, Shabnoor Irshad reports.

On sanctions, he said they would “hopefully persuade people around Vladimir Putin that this is completely the wrong thing to do and he should reverse this attack”.

He added “we stand shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine.

How will the invasion affect politics in the UK?

Thursday 24 February 2022 13:59 , Zoe Tidman

Andrew Grice argues it will put on the back burner the intense debate among Tories about whether they should oust Boris Johnson.

Read here:

Analysis: Will Russia’s invasion of Ukraine benefit Boris Johnson politically?

‘We’re in 1939’: Protest outside Downing Street

Thursday 24 February 2022 13:53 , Zoe Tidman

Our reporter Rory Sullivan has been at a protest outside Downing Street against the Russian invasion today.Iryna Estevez, a teacher living in Uk who is originally from western Ukraine, told him: “Today is the worst day of my life.”

He also met Dennis Ougrin from Lviv in western Ukraine, who has lived in the UK for more than two decades ago. “We’re no longer in 1938, we’re in 1939,” the professor of child psychology said.

Dr Ougrin added: “It’s like the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939. Any mild response [from the west] will encourage Putin.”

Here are some images from the protest:

Protesters outside Downing Street meet to demonstrate against the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Rory Sullivan / The Independent)
Protesters outside Downing Street meet to demonstrate against the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Rory Sullivan / The Independent)
Protest against Russian invasion of Ukraine in London (Rory Sullivan / The Independent)
Protest against Russian invasion of Ukraine in London (Rory Sullivan / The Independent)
Protesters outside Downing Street demonstrate against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (Rory Sullivan / The Independent)
Protesters outside Downing Street demonstrate against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (Rory Sullivan / The Independent)

Nato chief condemns invasion

Thursday 24 February 2022 13:50 , Zoe Tidman

Nato’s chief has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the “strongest possible terms”.

Watch here:

Belarus offers to support Russia ‘if needed'

Thursday 24 February 2022 13:46 , Zoe Tidman

Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko has said his troops could take part in Russia’s military operation against Ukraine if needed, and that he will discuss strengthing the country’s western flank with Vladimir Putin.

Amanda Coakley reports:

Belarus says its troops could support Russian invasion of Ukraine ‘if needed’

Ukrainian minister says Russian forces taken prisoner

Thursday 24 February 2022 13:41 , Zoe Tidman

Ukraine’s deputy defence minister says Russian forces have been taken prisoner in heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Visit Indy100 for more coverage on Ukraine

Thursday 24 February 2022 13:34 , Zoe Tidman

For more coverage on Ukraine, you can visit our Gen Z-focused sister title Indy100 where they have their own live coverage, reaction round-ups and articles to keep you updated.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website