Russian forces enter Chernobyl to seize nuclear plant, says Ukraine president

'This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe'

Russian forces have entered the surrounding area of the former nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, with the adviser to the Ukrainian interior ministry believing it to be destroyed amid fighting. The adviser believes troops entered the area from the direction of Belarus, which would correlate with earlier reports suggesting Russian troops had entered through the neighbouring country. The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed speculation on Twitter. He wrote: "Russian occupation forces are trying to seize the #Chornobyl_NPP. Our defenders are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated. Reported this to @SwedishPM. This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe." https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1496862540957114370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1496862540957114370%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mirror.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworld-news%2Fbreaking-russian-forces-enter-chernobyl-26320432 This comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson branded Russian President Vladimir Putin's attack on Ukraine as "heinous and barbaric." Updating the nation since Russia marched into Ukraine earlier today, Johnson argued: "This is not some faraway country of which we know little. He continued: "Today in concert with our allies we will agree a massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy." https://twitter.com/PoliticsJOE_UK/status/1496818650573123589?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1496818650573123589%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fukraine-boris-johnson-promises-massive-sanctions-says-the-uk-cannot-and-will-not-look-away-319206 To any Ukrainians that could have been watching, Johnson said: "We’re with you, we’re praying for you and your families." The PM emphasised that the flame of freedom will "blaze bright again", while he added: I don’t believe the Russian dictator will subdue the national feeling of Ukranians". https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1496818439222087684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1496818439222087684%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fukraine-boris-johnson-promises-massive-sanctions-says-the-uk-cannot-and-will-not-look-away-319206 "It’s an attack on democracy throughout the world," Johnson said. Johnson pledged to do everything in his power to keep the UK safe. Related links:

• Ukraine invasion: Everything we know so far and what it means for the UK
• Ukraine's Twitter compares Putin to Hitler after Russia launch full-scale invasion
• Putin says West will face 'consequences never encountered in your history' in chilling warning
• Trump calls Putin 'savvy' and 'genius' as escalations on Russia-Ukraine border rise