Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine with explosions heard across major cities.
Vladimir Putin, in a statement on Russian TV, said that allies of Ukraine who try to interfere with his attack will "face consequences greater than any you have faced in history".
In a stark reminder of Russia’s nuclear power, Mr Putin warned that “no one should have any doubts that a direct attack on our country will lead to the destruction and horrible consequences for any potential aggressor”.
Within moments of his early-morning address, confirming a military operation in the neighbouring nation, explosions rung out and could be heard across a number of eastern cities.
Troops have since crossed the Russia/Ukraine border. War broke out shortly after 4.30am, with air raid sirens being tested in Kyiv.
The attacks came first from the air, but later Ukrainian border guards released security camera footage on Thursday showing a line of Russian military vehicles crossing into Ukraine’s government-held territory from Russian-annexed Crimea.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy quickly announced martial law across all territories. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba described the assault as a “full-scale invasion” and said Ukraine will “defend itself and will win".
Videos show cars of people fleeing Ukraine's capital Kyiv, as others sheltered in basements to the sound of distant explosions.
Cruise and ballistic missiles are destroying military infrastructure and strategically important facilities, according to unofficial Russian sources.
The Ukrainian military says its air defence has shot down a Russian plane in eastern Ukraine.
A TSN journalist on the ground also said: "I have just been informed that an enemy plane has been shot down."
She did not give details about where and which plane.
In other developments:
- Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney branded the invasion as a "murderous act of aggression" as he urged Irish citizens in Ukraine to take shelter
- Taoiseach Micheal Martin condemned the "indefensible attack" and warned Russia will pay a "high price"
- EU leaders warned they are preparing the "strongest, harshest package” of sanctions it has ever considered
- Ryanair suspended all flights to and from Ukraine as its borders were closed.
Mr Martin tweeted: “I utterly condemn Russia’s indefensible attack on the sovereign people of Ukraine.
“Our first thoughts are with them. We will work with the EU & UN to hold Putin and his regime accountable.
“Russia will pay a high price for this outrageous act of aggression. We stand with Ukraine.”
Mr Coveney said a “strong response” is needed from the international community.
He said Ireland’s diplomatic team in Kyiv have moved to a safe place.
In a series of tweets on Thursday morning, the minister said: “Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. God help them.
“Rocket attacks & explosions across the country. Make no mistake: this is a shocking murderous act of aggression against a sovereign peaceful state. EU and world needs to respond strongly.
“Our thoughts & prayers are with the innocent people of Ukraine, as families wake up to shocking Russian attacks.
“Russian leaders are lying to their own people to justify this illegal aggression. We utterly condemn Russia for this act of unjustifiable war in the heart of Europe.”
He added: “Our diplomatic team in Kyiv has moved to a safe place and we stay in close contact with them. We are working with EU colleagues to ensure their safety.
“At the emergency UN Security Council meeting Ireland condemned the decision of Russia to launch a military operation and called on UNSC members to ‘assume their responsibility and to speak out in the strongest possible terms about this act of aggression’.”
Ukraine ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko, told RTE's Morning Ireland: "It's hard to believe this has happened in the 21st century. At 2am I was watching the UN Security Council meeting. And during that, Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine. As far as I understand, Russia is testing the UN and security architechture of the whole international community.
"We want to believe in the peaceful settlement and that Putin will return to the roundtable of negotiations and all international communities have to be very vocal and strong now. There are steps they must do immediately to stop Russia.
"Tough sanctions have to be imposed immediately. Millions of lives are at stake now. Russia must be isolated by all means and Ukraine needs financial support and humanitarian support. We are very grateful to Ireland for support."
Meanwhile, Ryanair suspended its Ukraine flights for at least the next fortnight.
The airline said: “Due to the closure of Ukrainian airspace overnight and the apparent invasion by Russian forces, all Ryanair flights to/from Ukraine have been suspended for at least the next 14 days.
“All affected passengers will receive email notices later this morning and all flights to/from Ukraine have been removed from sale for at least the next four weeks until further information becomes available from EU safety agencies.
“Ryanair remains committed to our services to/from Ukraine and we look forward to restoring flight services there as soon as it is safe to do so.
“We sincerely regret and apologise for these unprecedented disruptions and any inconvenience that they will inevitably cause to our Ukrainian customers.”
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.”
In the wake of the attacks, world stock markets plunged and oil prices surged by nearly six dollars per barrel. Market benchmarks tumbled in Europe and Asia and US futures were sharply lower. Brent crude oil jumped to over 100 dollars per barrel on unease about possible disruption of Russian supplies.
Follow the latest developments in eastern Europe in our live blog.
