Russia invades Ukraine, rain bombs, missiles on major cities

Russian forces have launched a major military assault on Ukraine, with reports of missile strikes and explosions near major cities.

People have been trying to flee the capital Kyiv and there is a palpable sense of shock.

At least seven people are known to have been killed in Russian attacks, police say, while 19 are missing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warns that Moscow’s response will be “instant” if anyone tries to take on Russia
The European Union says it is one of the darkest hours for Europe since World War Two and Russia will be hit with “massive sanctions”.

Ukraine urges the UN “to do everything possible” to stop what it says is a full-scale war.

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

In a televised address early on Friday Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered a “military operation” in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region but what’s been launched goes far further and amounts to a full-scale attack on the country.

Russian military vehicles were said to have breached the border in a number of places, in the north, south and east, including from Belarus.

Multiple explosions were heard in the city of Odesa within the past hour
More than 40 Ukrainian troops have been killed in Russian shelling, Ukrainian president’s office says, but this has not been independently confirmed.

CCTV images issued by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reportedly show Russian military vehicles moving across the border from Crimea.

BBC correspondents have heard explosions in the capital Kyiv, as well as Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

The Ukrainian armed forces say they have shot down five Russian planes and a helicopter; Russia has dismissed these claims.

Emergency sirens have sounded in Kyiv and huge traffic jams have built up as residents flee the city.