NATO chief says 100 jets ready to defend allies’ airspace as ‘peace in Europe shattered’

Boris Johnson has accused Vladimir Putin of choosing a “path of bloodshed and destruction” after explosions were heard in Ukrainian cities.

The prime minister said the UK and its allies will respond “decisively”, adding that he was “appalled by the horrific events” in Ukraine.

Mr Johnson has spoken to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the country’s president, to discuss “next steps”.

Explosions near major Ukrainian cities including the capital Kyiv – follow live updates

US President Joe Biden described Vladimir Putin’s decision to begin military operations as an “unprovoked and unjustified attack”, declaring: “The world will hold Russia accountable.”

Mr Biden added: “The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight.”

The Russian president appeared on state TV in Moscow to announce the operation was going ahead as the UN Security Council was meeting in New York to urge his country not to invade Ukraine.

António Guterres, the UN secretary-general, said the war “doesn’t make any sense” and could cause a “level of suffering not seen in Europe since the Balkan crisis”.

Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary-general, said Russia’s actions were a “grave breach of international law” and that allies would meet to address the “renewed aggression”.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the Russian attack on Ukraine is a “blatant” breach of international law.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said her thoughts were with the people of Ukraine “in these dark hours” and that Russia would be held accountable for its actions.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said his country condemned the Russian attack “in the strongest possible terms” and called for the immediate cease of “all hostile and provocative actions against Ukraine”. He added: “These reckless and dangerous acts will not go unpunished.”

The UK’s ambassador to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward, said it was a “grave day for Ukraine and for the principles of the United Nations”.