Russia has launched a “full-scale invasion” of Ukraine, with explosions heard across major cities.
Speaking on live TV, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a chilling warning that allies of Ukraine who try to interfere with his attack will “face consequences greater than any of you have faced in history”.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared martial law and said the country "would defeat everyone”.
War broke in the early hours of Thursday and has been condemned across the world, including Ireland.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: "I utterly condemn Russia’s indefensible attack on the sovereign people of Ukraine. Our first thoughts are with them. We will work with the EU and UN to hold Putin and his regime accountable. Russia will pay a high price for this outrageous act of aggression. We stand with Ukraine."
Foreign Affairs Minsiter Simon Coveney added: "Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. God help them. Rocket attacks and explosions across the country. Make no mistake: this is a shocking murderous act of aggression against a sovereign peaceful state. EU and world needs to respond strongly.”
Why is Russia invading Ukraine?
Tensions between the countries have been fraught since the end of the 20th century, with Russia even invading in 2014 when Ukraine's pro-Russian president was deposed, but have ramped up in recent months.
There are several reasons why Russia is invading Ukraine, however, Vladimir Putin’s opposition to NATO is believed to be among the main ones.
NATO - the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation - is a military alliance formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, UK, France and Germany.
There are now 30 member countries. Ireland is not a member as it has remained neutral in international relations since the 1930s.
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Members agree to come to each other's aid in the event of an armed attack against any one member state.
Putin is strongly against Ukraine joining NATO and has claimed Western powers are using the alliance to encroach on his country.
In December 2021, Putin re-established his desire to keep Ukraine out of NATO with a list of demands.
Since then, the Russian President accused the US and its allies of ignoring his demands to block Ukraine from ever joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees.
Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukraine’s attempts to join NATO are a red line for Russia.
Separately, Putin's recent speeches appear to suggest that he views Ukraine as traditionally part of Russia, and wants it under his country’s control.
He has written about Ukrainians and Russians being one people, while Russian is widely spoken in the country.
Part of this even goes back to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, when 'historical' Russia fell apart.
After annexing Crimea in 2014, Putin is also said to fear that NATO would try and take the region back if Ukraine joined.
These are simplified explanations among many reasons for the conflict.
