LIVE Russia launches 'full-scale' invasion of Ukraine as explosions heard in country

Explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and other major cities following Vladimir Putin’s announcement that a military operation had begun.

The Russian president announced the action during a televised address early on Thursday morning, saying the move was a response to threats from Ukraine.

He said Russia does not have a goal to occupy Ukraine, but the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian “regime”.

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

The sound of distant blasts were picked up in a live broadcast from US outlet CNN, causing reporter Matthew Chance to put on a flak jacket.

Explosions have also been heard in the Ukrainian cities of Odesa and Kharkiv.

The Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, said that Russia has launched a “full-scale invasion of Ukraine”.

Mr Kuleba said that Ukraine would defend itself against the Russian aggression “and will win”.

“Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes.

“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.”

Boris Johnson will chair a Cobra committee meeting at 7.30am to discuss the response to the “horrific attacks”, a Downing Street spokesperson has said.

The Prime Minister said Putin has “chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction” and that the UK and its allies would respond “decisively”.

In a statement on Twitter, Mr Johnson said he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss “next steps”.

“I am appalled by the