THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex have said they "stand with the people of Ukraine" as Russian forces invade the country.

Russian troops crossed the border into Ukraine yesterday, occupying the former nuclear plant at Chernobyl, and launching a series of missile attacks across the country.

In a statement published on the website of Archewell, the couple's charity, they said: "Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stand with the people of Ukraine against this breach of international and humanitarian law and we encourage the global community and its leaders to do the same."

Their remarks come after many MPs from across the county condemn the "unjustified and unjustifiable" invasion of Ukraine.

The Argus:

Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and shadow Northern Ireland secretary, said he found it "heartbreaking" listening to Ukrainians being forced to decide whether to flee or fight.

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

Worthing West MP and father of the House Sir Peter Bottomley criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin and described him as a "dangerous man" and called for the UK to do more to support Ukraine.

He said: "There is more that the United Kingdom can do in support of a free Ukraine. We cannot erode the vision of a Europe whole and free.

"My constituents will expect me to encourage and to back resolute, united U.K. leadership. [I] have confidence that this continues to be the case. How we respond as a nation will reverberate across the globe."

Explosions were heard before dawn in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv as Western leaders scheduled an emergency meeting and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded for international help.

The nature of the explosions was not immediately clear, but the blasts came amid signs that the capital and largest Ukrainian city was increasingly threatened following a day of fighting that left more than 100 Ukrainians dead.

Fearing a Russian attack on the capital city, thousands of people went deep underground as night fell on Thursday, jamming Kyiv’s subway stations.

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