Russian President Vladimir Putin has “chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction” with his attack on Ukraine, Boris Johnson has said.
The Prime Minister said he was "appalled by the horrific events" in Ukraine and that he had spoken to its president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss "next steps".
In a tweet, he added: "President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
"The UK and our allies will respond decisively."
A Cobra committee meeting is set to be held at 7.30am this morning to discuss the response to the ''horrific attacks'' in Ukraine, a Downing Street spokesperson confirmed.
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It comes after Putin authorised the invasion of Ukraine in a televised address this morning, which was followed by multiple explosions in Kyiv and other cities including Kharkiv and Odessa.
Missile strikes have been carried out on "infrastructure and on boarder guards", while martial law has been declared.
Chilling footage shows people leaving Kyiv in droves with chaotic scenes on the roads packed full of cars as people flee with the sky having been lit up "red and orange" through the night from the missile fire.
Residents in the city are being told to "not panic" and remain at home unless they have essential jobs.
In his televised address this morning, Putin said he authorised "a special military operation" against Ukraine to eliminate what he called a serious threat and wants to demilitarise Russia's southern neighbour.
He said: "Its goal is to protect people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide... for the last eight years. And for this we will strive for the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine.
"And to bring to court those who committed numerous bloody crimes against civilians, including against citizens of the Russian Federation."
