"THE UK is Ukraine’s friend and it will not turn its back in its hour of need," Stourbridge's MP has said following news of a Russian invasion this morning.

Suzanne Webb, who is Parliamentary Private Secretary to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, said Russia would face a backlash from the global community and pay a heavy economic price for its actions after reports that explosions had been heard near major Ukrainian cities.

The Tory MP's comments come after Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a televised statement about the unfolding crisis on February 24.

She said: "This is a dark day for Europe as peace is shattered by naked Russian aggression towards a peaceful democratic country.

"There can be no doubt that Putin’s Russia is now a pariah state with few friends.

"It will face the backlash from the global community and pay a heavy price economically in the years to come for this reckless action.

"My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people today who are facing dangers and terror at the hands of a bullying neighbour who only wants to subjugate a people who have chosen democracy over tyranny.

"The West and the wider international community is united in its condemnation of this invasion and tough sanctions on Russia will be imposed by many countries outraged at what has happened.

"The UK is Ukraine’s friend and it will not turn its back in its hour of need. We will support it and we will not let Russian aggression go unpunished."

Let us know if you are worried about loved ones in Ukraine.