MPs from across the city have condemned the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces.

Troops have poured in to the country after an announcement by Russian President Vladmir Putin, with reports of explosions being heard in the capital Kyiv and in other parts of Ukraine.

Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas described news of the invasion as "devastating" and said her thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine "on this darkest of days".

She said: "This vile act of aggression must be met with the strongest of sanctions - which we should have applied already - and by finally ending [the] role of Russian money in [the] UK."

Hove MP and shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle said it was "heartbreaking" to listen to Ukrainians deciding to flee the country or stay and fight.

"Putin has no right or justification to inflict such horror. Maximum sanctions must be applied, now," he said.

Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle retweeted a statement shared by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who described Putin's attack as "unprovoked and unjustifiable."

He said: "His actions will have horrendous and tragic consequences that will echo throughout the world and throughout history.

"Putin will learn the same lesson as Europe's tyrants of the last century: that the resolve of the world is harder than he imagines and the desire for liberty burns stronger than ever.

"Those who have for too long turned a blind eye to Russia's actions must reckon with their own consciences."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine" and said that Putin has "chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack". He will make a statement on the Russian invasion to the House of Commons later today.

Ukrainian airspace has been closed due to the high risk of aviation safety for civil aviation, with Ukrainian International Airlines - which links Gatwick Airport with Kyiv - has suspended all flights to and from the country.

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