Newspaper headlines: 'Putin declares war' and missiles hit Kyiv
- Published
With Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing military action in Ukraine after the newspapers went to press, their websites have been updating with the latest reports.
"Putin declares war," is the Sun's stark headline, external.
The paper says the invasion began after a televised address early this morning "from a defiant Putin", who rejected last night's calls for peace from Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
"Putin declares war to 'demilitarise' neighbour", external is the headline on the Guardian's website.
It says Russian forces appear to be targeting military infrastructure in early strikes, with explosions reported at airfields, military headquarters and military warehouses.
The paper says the operation began amid warnings from world leaders that it could spark the biggest war in Europe since 1945.
The Daily Mail website talks of missiles raining down on Kyiv, external and unconfirmed reports of a huge seaborne landing by Russian forces in the Black Sea port of Odessa, involving large landing craft and helicopters.
The Daily Mirror's website reports that people can be seen fleeing Kyiv, external, as others sheltered in basements to the sound of distant explosions.
The Independent says President Putin's announcement confirms fears he was massing troops along the border ahead of a strategic offensive.
It also highlights what it calls the "emotional" address by President Zelensky in which he said that he and his people wanted peace with Russia, but would defend themselves.
But the Daily Express website says Mr Putin's support is crumbling, external, as Russians appear to be losing patience with what it calls his "warmongering".
It cites a recent survey by CNN, which shows that support among Russians for military force against Ukraine - to prevent it from joining Nato - has dropped to 50%, with a quarter of the Russian population indicating it would be wrong.
The Financial Times highlights the tightening of EU sanctions against Russia, external, saying that Brussels has "hit Putin's inner circle".
In its leader, the FT turns its sights on the UK's sanctions response so far and says "Londongrad" ties to the Kremlin need to be cut, external.
It says Russia's renewed aggression towards Ukraine should be a wake-up call to the UK "over who it is willing to do business with".
Away from the Ukraine crisis, the Times says government plans to reform the loan system for university students in England means they will "shoulder" a bill of £100,000 for gaining a degree, external.
The i newspaper likens the change to a "lifelong graduate tax", external.
"Sunak vows to slash tax burden", external is the headline on the front of the Daily Telegraph.
It says that the chancellor will use a major speech today to lay out his vision for "economic freedom", but will also hint at spending cuts in the years ahead.
And the Telegraph reports that home abortions - where women can get pills by post to terminate a pregnancy in the first 10 weeks - will be axed in the autumn, external.
The service had started in the pandemic but the paper says there have been long wrangles in the government about women's reproductive rights.
The paper says leading medics have voiced concern about the service ending, saying the move will be "devastating for women" and a "huge backward step".
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