RUSSIA LAUNCHES MILITARY ATTACK ON UKRAINE WITH REPORTS OF EXPLOSIONS AND TROOPS CROSSING BORDER.

Russian forces have begun an attack on Ukraine, with reports of troops crossing the border to the north and south, explosions in multiple cities including the capital Kyiv and Russian President Vladimir Putin warning of bloodshed unless Ukrainian forces lay down their arms.

Reports of military action came as world leaders attempted to avert catastrophe with a meeting of the United Nations Security Council amid warnings that a possible invasion could start the biggest war in Europe since 1945.

The attack prompted immediate condemnation from the United States and its allies, which have threatened to enact “full scale” sanctions in response to Russian military aggression.

As the sound of air raid sirens rang out across the Ukrainian capital early Thursday, the country’s President Volodymyr Zelensky moved to enact martial law and government ministers accused Moscow of launching a “full scale invasion.” But as dawn broke in Kyiv, there was still traffic on the streets and in Kramatorsk a local official said people were calm and going to work.

(Credit:CNN)