BORDERS MPs John Lamont and David Mundell are united in their condemnation of the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin. And both say that their thought are with the people of Ukraine at this time.

Their messages of support come as Ukraine capital Kyiv has been hit by blasts overnight with reports of dozens of people killed and thousands forced to flee.

Putin launched the offensive in the early hours of the morning after declaring war in a dramatic televised address where he threatened any country attempting to interfere with "consequences you have never seen".

Mr Lamont, MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk said: “It is truly frightening to watch Russian tanks rolling into Ukraine – a free, democratic and peace-loving nation. However, we must not be cowed by this incursion by President Putin and his Russian army.

“The UK will stand alongside our international allies in defence of peace, democratic values and freedoms. It is a dark day for Europe. I, like many others, thought the days of invasion by dictators on European soil to be the stuff of history books rather than news bulletins in 2022.

“My thoughts are with the people of Ukraine. No doubt they are terrified by what is happening to their proud nation.”

Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell described the Russian advance into Ukraine as an 'appalling act of war.'

He and his son Oliver, the Dumfriesshire MSP, have been keeping in touch with constituents, who have family links with the Eastern European nation, and last year both met Ukranian Ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko.

Speaking from Westminster, Mr Mundell said: "This is terrible news. It has become clear in recent days that Vladimir Putin was determined to take this course of action and bring destruction and bloodshed to a democratic country.

"Whilst our thoughts, at this time, are with those within Ukraine, I'm also well aware of the Ukrainian diaspora locally and elsewhere in the UK, who are deeply concerned for friends and relatives.

"The Ukrainian Chapel at Hallmuir, near Lockerbie, has long been a focal point for families and individuals with Ukrainian links, both locally and across the country, and I expect will continue to be so.

"It's a very sobering experience speaking to constituents with Ukrainian connections -- now spanning several generations -- as they retain great pride and affection for Ukraine and are only too aware of the suffering the country has already had over the last century, at the hands of Stalin, the Nazis and as part of the Soviet Empire."