Ukraine's President: "We Are Alone" - Russian Forces Now In Kyiv

Makes plea to Western allies to defend his country

Ukraine's Defence Ministry says Russian forces are now in Kyiv, as gunfire is heard near the government district.

Officials say Russian forces are in the Obolon district - approximately five miles from the city centre.

Citizens are being urged to stay at home as sirens ring out across the capital.

Sky's John Sparkes is in Kharkiv, a city in the east of the country - missile strikes can be heard as he spoke to us about the situation there:

Earlier this morning, the Ukrainian President made another plea to western allies, saying "we are alone" in defending his country from Russian forces.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says 137 Ukrainian civilians and soldiers died on Thursday - the first day of Moscow's military operation in his country.

There has been more reports of explosions and sirens around the country's capital, Kyiv this morning.

The UN is estimating 100,000 people have fled their homes.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister compared "horrific rocket strikes" on the capital, to the city's 1941 shelling by Nazi Germany.

Journalist Neil Hauer spent the night in a bomb shelter in Kyiv:

RTÉ's Europe Editor is reporting from Kyiv.

He tweeted early this morning, noting he & cameraman Bram Verbeke were awoken during the night due to airstrikes in the capital:

Woken from sleep at 2am local by Radisson staff to return to the depths of -2. Another Russian air strike expected in Kyiv. They’ve provided us with duvets, pillows and (best part) bean bags

— Tony Connelly (@tconnellyRTE) February 25, 2022

Early morning picture in Kyiv: a number of heavy airstrikes overnight, air-raid sirens going off throughout the night, people staying in shelters and in the metro system. President Zelenskiy in an early address says 137 dead so far across the country

— Tony Connelly (@tconnellyRTE) February 25, 2022

British Intelligence services are claiming that around 450 Russian troops were killed during the first day of the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine.

The UK's Defence Secretary says Vladimir Putin has "failed to deliver" on his objectives on day one.

Ben Wallace says the Russian President's actions are "deeply irrational".

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says Putin "has to fail because he is fighting our values and all of the human rights we stand for", adding if he does not fail in Ukraine he "needs to fail after that".https://t.co/wCZVHegHM3

📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/I0musyYrRw

— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 25, 2022

Additional Sanctions

The European Union says its new sanctions on Russia will have "maximum impact" on its economy and "political elite".

They were announced after a lengthy meeting of the European Council in Brussels last night, which was attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

The EU says they include "massive sanctions" on Russia's banking, energy, transport and technology sectors.

European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, says the new package of sanctions is very severe:

Ukraine's President says not all sanctions have been exhausted:

Not all possibilities for sanctions have been exhausted yet. The pressure on Russia must increase. Said this to @Vonderleyen. I am grateful to the President for her decision on additional financial assistance.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 25, 2022

 Ukraine's President has also spoken to Boris Johnson this morning:

Held talks with 🇬🇧 PM @BorisJohnson. Reported on the course of 🇺🇦’s defense and insidious attacks on Kyiv by the aggressor. Today 🇺🇦 needs the support of partners more than ever. We demand effective counteraction to the Russian Federation. Sanctions must be further strengthened.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 25, 2022

Surrogacy

As thousands try to flee Ukraine, one couple is desperately trying to enter the country after their daughter was born prematurely, via a surrogate, on Tuesday.

Jessica Van Nooten and her partner - who reside in Australia - are attempted to reach the port city of Odessa in southern Ukraine, but could only make it as far as Warsaw in Poland:

Reaction in Ireland

Anastacia Sytnyk is a 20 year old Ukranian who has been living in Ireland for 12 years.

Her family, including her 9 year old brother are still in her home country.

She is appealing for Irish people to support the Ukranian people:

Anastacia - who is in a relationship with a Russian national - says Vladimir Putin's actions are inhumane:

Ilya Linifch is from eastern Belarus, near the Russian border, and is currently living in Co. Leitrim.

He says the invasion is much worse than he feared:

UEFA

This season's Champions League final has been moved from St Petersburg in Russia to the Stade de France in Paris.

The decision to change the venue for the match in May was made by European football's governing body at an emergency meeting following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

UEFA has also decided Russian and Ukrainian teams will play home games at neutral venues until further notice.