TAUNTON Deane MP Rebecca Pow has described Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a “dark day” and an attack “on democracy around the world”.

Early this morning, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced he would launch a “special military operation” in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

He said the action is a response to threats made by Ukraine and is aimed at the “demilitarisation and denazification” of the nation.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, declared martial law this morning and urged citizens not to panic as Russia launched military strikes on the country.

Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba described the Russian military action as a “full-scale invasion”.

According to the British Ministry of Defence, there have been more than 80 Russian strikes against Ukrainian targets as Ukraine’s sovereignty was “further violated”.

Earlier today, Boris Johnson said he has offered Ukraine the UK’s “continued support” and said a “massive package of economic sanctions” will be agreed to “hobble the Russian economy”.

He said: “Shortly after four o’ clock this morning, I spoke to president Zelenskyy of Ukraine to offer the continued support of the UK, because our worst fears have now come true, and all our warnings have proved tragically accurate.

"President Putin of Russia has unleashed war in our European continent.

“He has attacked a friendly country without any provocation and without any credible excuse.

"Innumerable missiles and bombs have been raining down on an entirely innocent population.

“A vast invasion is underway by land, by sea, and by air.”

Somerset County Gazette: Boris Johnson records an address at Downing Street after he chaired an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the UK response to the crisis in Ukraine. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell, PA WireBoris Johnson records an address at Downing Street after he chaired an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the UK response to the crisis in Ukraine. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell, PA Wire

The prime minister added: "Today, in concert with our allies, we will agree a massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy.

"And to that end, we must also collectively cease the dependence on Russian oil and gas that for too long has given Putin his grip on western politics.

"Our mission is clear, diplomatically, politically, economically – and eventually, militarily – this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure.”

The prime minister will deliver a statement on Ukraine to MPs in the House of Commons at 5pm.

Somerset County Gazette: Rebecca Pow MPRebecca Pow MP

In a written statement, Taunton Deane representative Rebecca Pow told the County Gazette: “This is a dark day.

“We are standing with the people of Ukraine and will work with them to ensure their sovereignty and independence and, as the PM has stated in no uncertain terms, this action by Putin is an attack not only on Ukraine but on democracy around the world - a right the UK will always defend.”

Earlier today, Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said Mr Putin "has lost every shred of international respect he ever had".

He also said: "We must do everything possible to thwart his ambitions because once he has Ukraine in his grasp, there is nothing to say he won’t be eying Poland or the Baltic states next."

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