Russia Invades Ukraine: Daniel Andrews to light up Melbourne in yellow and blue or something

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has launched an invasion of Ukraine, moments after appearing live on television to say he has authorised a military operation in Ukraine’s Donbas region.

Even as Mr Putin was still speaking, wires service Reuters reported witnesses in Kyiv hearing a series of distant, loud noises similar to the firing of artillery while others reported hearing explosions in Belgorod province, Russia.

A Fox News reporter also reported hearing explosions in the Ukraine capital.

Mr Putin said the action comes in response to threats coming from Ukraine.

Putin warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen”.

Clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces were inevitable and it was just a matter of time, he said.

He called on Ukrainian soldiers to immediately lay down their weapons and go home.

He accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees.

He said the Russian military operation aims to ensure a “demilitarisation” of Ukraine.

This is what happens when you try to expand NATO to Russia’s border, I guess.

US President Joe Biden said the United States and its allies would respond in a united and decisive way to “an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces” on Ukraine.

“President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” Mr Biden said.

“Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring. The world will hold Russia accountable.”

Mr Biden said he would announce further consequences to be imposed on Russia by the United States and its allies.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Russia had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and was targeting cities with weapons strikes.

“Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes,” Mr Kuleba tweeted.

“This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”

Interfax Ukraine reported rocket attacks on military facilities throughout Ukraine and that Russian troops had landed in the southern port cities of Odessa and Mariupol.

It also reported staff and passengers evacuating from Kyiv’s Boryspil airport.

During the emergency UN Security Council meeting, Washington’s ambassador to the United Nations warned a “full-scale” further invasion of Ukraine by Russia was imminent, saying this is a “perilous” moment.