Prime Minister Scott Morrison has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine following reports of explosions across several cities.
Addressing the media following a number of briefings with security and intelligence officials, on Thursday evening, Mr Morrison said the steps taken by Russia were “deplorable”.
“I’ll call it what it is – the Russian government launched a brutal invasion, unprovoked, on Ukraine, and should be condemned for doing so – and Australia does,” he said.
“Together with the international community, we are banding together in strong terms to condemn these outrageous acts in the strongest possible terms.
“The footage that is emerging of missile strikes, air-raid sirens, and reports of hundreds of casualties as yet unconfirmed – are, sadly, not surprising.”
In an early morning broadcast, President Vladimir Putin declared Russian forces would carry out a “special military operation” to “demilitarise and denazify” Ukraine.
Following the announcement, Ukraine’s Interior Ministry confirmed the capital Kyiv was under attack.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said air strikes had hit “military infrastructure and border guards” while explosions have been heard in as many as five cities.
Pictures show a large explosion at the country’s main international airport Boryspil.
Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese and foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said “it marked a grave moment for humanity.”
“This attack is wholly unprovoked and without justification. Russia alone is the aggressor, and Russia alone bears responsibility for the bloodshed and suffering that will follow,” they said in a joint statement.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said his state was ready to support the Ukraine and Russian communities.
“Whatever happens today, or in the days to come, we stand ready to support these communities”.
State opposition leader Matthew Guy, who has a Ukrainian background, gave an emotional statement to parliament, revealing he has family in the city of Kharkiv not far from the border.
“Australian Ukrainians watch with horror at the invasion of a European democracy by the Putin dictatorship. Sending love to my family in Kharkiv,’ he said.
On Wednesday, Mr Morrison outlined sanctions on Russia’s key industry as well as five banks and eight high-ranking officials.
He also flagged further sanctions could be imposed if the Russian President persisted.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said it was time the world stopped Mr Putin.
“Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” he said.
“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.”
Members of the G7 nations – UK, US, Canada, Japan, Germany, France and Italy – will meet overnight to discuss “further consequences” for Russia.
US President Joe Biden said the world would hold Russia accountable.
“President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” he said.
“I will meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning and then speak to the American people to announce the further consequences the United States and our allies and partners will impose on Russia for this needless act of aggression against Ukraine and global peace and security.”
The economic sanctions were triggered after Mr Putin declared independent recognition of two eastern Ukraine regions – Donetsk and Luhansk and sent in troops under the guise of “peacekeeping”.
Russia’s man in Canberra, Alexey Pavolvsky was hauled into a mexjmtzyweting with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials on Wednesday.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Mr Pavlovsky hit back at Mr Morrison‘s claim Australia stood up to bullies.
“Canberra has been totally indifferent to the discrimination of the Russian speakers by the radical nationalistic regimen in Ukraine and to the plight of civilians in Donbass living for years under blockade and constant shelling form the Ukrainian military,” he said.
