Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Russia, World News, No Article Matching
Jake Massey
*WARNING: CONTAINS DISTRESSING IMAGES*
Powerful photos show the devastating impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war during a pre-dawn TV address, in which he demanded that the Ukrainian military lay down its weapons.
The nation has since launched an invasion by land, sea and air, hitting cities and bases with air strikes and shelling, as terrified civilians flee.
Advert
Pictures taken on the ground show civilians who were wounded after an air strike damaged an apartment complex in the city of Chuhuiv.
Other photos show buildings razed to the ground, and shell-shocked Ukrainian's standing among the debris.
Ukraine's government said Russian tanks and troops rolled across the border following the declaration of 'full-scale war', with Putin unleashing the country's most aggressive action since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.
Advert
Announcing the invasion - which he branded a 'special military operation' - Putin chillingly referred to his country's nuclear arsenal.
The 69-year-old threatened any foreign country attempting to interfere with 'consequences you have never seen'.
Russian forces have reportedly taken control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster.
Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Russian forces were battling other troops just miles from capital Kyiv for control of a strategic airport.
Advert
He also cut diplomatic ties with Moscow and declared martial law.
"As of today, our countries are on different sides of world history," he tweeted.
"Russia has embarked on a path of evil, but Ukraine is defending itself and won't give up its freedom."
Large explosions were heard in the capital and in other cities, and people flocked to train stations and took to roads, as the government said the former Soviet republic was seeing a long-anticipated invasion from the east, north and south.
Advert
Boris Johnson has said that the UK 'cannot and will not' look away.
In an address to the nation earlier today, he said: "Today in concert with our allies we will agree a massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy."
The PM described the invasion of Ukraine as the 'hideous and barbaric venture of Putin', who he said has brought a 'tidal wave of violence' to the country.
Addressing the Ukrainian people, Johnson added: "We're with you, we’re praying for you and your families.
Advert
"I don’t believe the Russian dictator will subdue the national feeling of Ukrainians."
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.