UN ambassadors consoled Ukraine's distraught representative after Russia declared a military assault on his country

• Ukraine's ambassador to the UN appeared forlorn after news broke of a Russian attack on his country.
• He delivered a sharply worded speech to Russia's ambassador condemning the assault.

Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations, was consoled by fellow UN representatives on Wednesday after Russia's surprise announcement that it had launched a military assault on his country.

Kyslytsya, in the image above, was seen seated behind US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield as she placed a hand on his shoulder while UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward turned to face them.

He had moments before closed an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council with a sharply worded speech to Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, telling him: "About 48 minutes ago, your president declared war on Ukraine."

"There is no purgatory for war criminals," Kyslytsya said. "They go straight to hell."

The meeting, held to discuss Moscow's recent military actions in Ukraine, pivoted to include Russian President Vladimir Putin's declaration of a "special military action" in the country, effectively declaring war. Putin's announcement aired while the meeting was still in session.

In another photo taken after the meeting, Kyslytsya was seen standing by himself on the phone.

Numerous media outlets have described reports of Russian attacks on Ukrainian soil, while reporters in Kyiv said they had heard explosions while in the capital city.

The Ukrainian Interior Ministry also said Russian tanks had crossed the border and Ukrainian forces were being attacked by artillery and small arms.