A British reporter for CNN was dramatically forced to interrupt his Kiev live broadcast as explosions rang out across the Ukrainian capital.
Russian president Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukrainesent shockwaves around the world on Thursday morning.
CNN reporter Matthew Chance abruptly paused his live reporting to don a flak jacket as the sounds of blasts near to the capital were broadcast to viewers.
He had been broadcasting from the top of a hotel in the centre of the city for CNN's ‘Don Lemon Tonight’ when the explosions happened.
"I just heard a big bang right here behind me," he said, adding that "there are big explosions taking place in Kiev right now."
While he said he couldn't see the blasts from his position, he said he "heard four or five explosions just moments ago."
He told viewers: “This is the first time we’ve heard anything, it’s been absolutely silent throughout the course of the night.
“In fact I’ve never heard anything like this in Kiev in the years that I’ve been coming here and reporting”.
Putin launched war in Ukraine overnight with explosions heard in Kiev and other major cities.
He announced the military operation on TV at 5.55am Moscow time. Minutes later the first shelling and missiles were launched into Ukraine, according to reports.
He told Russians in an address: “You and I have been left with no opportunity to protect our people other than the one we use today.”
Large traffic jams have been pictured in Kiev as residents attempt to flee, while others have chosen to remain in place sheltering in the city’s underground system.
Neighbouring countries have now begun preparations for a potential wave of Ukrainian refugees seeking safety from the Russian invasion.
