AN airline operating from Gatwick Airport has suspended all flights to and from Ukraine following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
Ukraine International Airlines (UIA), which links Gatwick with Kyiv, has suspended all flights to and from the capital.
The airline said: “The UIA team takes all possible measures to ensure the safety of our passengers.”
We advise British nationals to leave Ukraine immediately if you judge it is safe to do so.
— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) February 24, 2022
If you cannot leave safely, you should stay indoors, away from windows, and remain alert to developments that would allow you to leave safely.
Ukrainian airspace has been closed due to the high risk to civil aviation.
This morning, Boris Johnson said President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is a “catastrophe for our continent”, as he called on world leaders to meet and plan a response.
The Prime Minister tweeted his remarks after chairing an urgent Cobra emergency committee meeting on Thursday morning.
I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 24, 2022
President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
The UK and our allies will respond decisively.
He is due to address the nation later, and speak in the Commons in the evening.
The Prime Minister said: “This is a catastrophe for our continent.
“I will make an address to the nation this morning on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“I will also speak to fellow G7 leaders and I am calling for an urgent meeting of all Nato leaders as soon as possible.”
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, along with 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."
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