The war started this Thursday morning following Putin's TV declaration. 

Ukraine has officially severed diplomatic ties with Russia following its invasion of Ukrainian territory.

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

© Aljazeera

Putin said Russia was acting in self-defence. He urged Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their weapons.

Ukrainians awoke to war on their country, and to the reality of a Russian attack that was long forecast and long feared.

Russia has hit Ukrainian infrastructure with missiles, Ukraine says. It also says it has shot down Russian aircraft - which Moscow denies

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

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".

© Financial Times

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.

Prime minister Boris Johnson said that this "is a catastrophe for our continent".

Ukrainian state air traffic services have closed the country's airspace as the country comes under attack.

Ryanair says it has cancelled all flights to and from Ukraine for at least the next 14 days.

© Sky News

Traffic jams formed in the capital Kyiv early on Thursday as residents tried to leave the city after Russian forces launched its military assault on Ukraine.

Elsewhere, residents sought shelter in stations - and queues formed for buses, cashpoints and petrol.

Despite the obvious concern, Ukraine's government is appealing for calm, and has urged both the media and Ukrainian citizens to check all information they receive before sharing it - warning that fake news is one of the greatest threats to the country.