Is the UK going to war with Russia over Ukraine?

After recent months of tension in Eastern Europe, explosions have now been heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and other major cities after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a military operation.

Earlier this morning, Mr Putin announced the move was a response to threats from Ukraine.

While he stated that Russia is not aiming to occupy Ukraine, he told a televised address that the responsibility for the bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian "regime".

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In response to the operation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the UK this afternoon to condemn the "hideous and barbaric venture" and reiterate Britain's support for Ukraine.

He said: "It’s because we’ve been so alarmed in recent months at Russian intimidation that the UK became one of the first countries in Europe to send defensive weaponry to help the Ukrainians.

"Other allies have now done the same and we will do what more we can in the days ahead."

Mr Johnson has previously announced financial sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine in the form of lethal defensive weapons and other aid.

He has now said the UK will go further with this.

Mr Johnson began the televised address today by stating the UK and the world cannot allow Ukraine's freedom to be "snuffed out".

He said: "A vast invasion is underway by land, by sea and by air. And this is not, in the infamous phrase, some faraway country of which we know little.

"We have Ukrainian friends in this country, neighbours, co-workers. Ukraine is a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy, and the right to choose its own destiny.

"We and the world cannot allow that freedom just to be snuffed out. We cannot and will not just look away."

He said further economic