Moment Sky News reporter in Ukraine runs for cover to escape shelling

Watch: Sky News reporter in Ukraine runs for cover to escape shelling

This is the dramatic moment a Sky News reporter ran for his life as shells began falling on the area of Ukraine where he was reporting.

Alex Rossi was filming in the city of Mariupol as the Ukraine crisis unfolded, talking to residents and soldiers of an area that has come under fire in recent weeks.

While recording a piece for the camera, Rossi was forced to run for cover as more shells suddenly began descending on the area.

After finding shelter, Rossi said: “It just shows how quickly things can change here.

“We were outside filming, really calm... but we've just had to take cover because there's been incoming mortar fire.”

The report was filmed just hours before Russian president Vladimir Putin began military action against Ukraine, in what Boris Johnson has described as “a path of bloodshed and destruction”.

The prime minister later announced the government’s largest ever package of economic sanctions against Russia, including an immediate asset freeze on Russian banks.

Johnson chaired a Cobra emergency committee meeting earlier on Thursday to discuss the next step, following his call with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky during the night as Russia launched its assault.

It came as Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, accused Putin of “bringing war back to Europe”.

The PM – whose initial package of sanctions was criticised by senior Tories and opposition figures – has promised to respond “decisively” to the Russian onslaught.

“I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to president Zelensky to discuss next steps,” he said.

Watch: Resident of eastern Ukraine city films shelling

“President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

“The UK and our allies will respond decisively.”

A Downing Street spokesman said Johnson assured Zelensky the West will “not stand by as president Putin waged his campaign against the Ukrainian people”.

Putin announced the action during a televised address early on Thursday morning, saying the move was a response to threats from Ukraine.

He said Russia does not have a goal to occupy Ukraine, but the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian “regime”.

Russia’s military said it has targeted Ukrainian air bases and other military assets and has not targeted populated areas.

Putin issued a stark warning to other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen”.

He accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining Nato and offer Moscow security guarantees.

He said the Russian military operation aims to ensure a “demilitarisation” of Ukraine, adding that all Ukrainian servicemen who lay down arms will be able to safely leave the zone of combat.

Explosions could be heard in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, shortly after Putin’s address, while blasts were also reported in the cities of Odessa and Kharkiv.