Ukrainian people living in Ireland have expressed their shock and disbelief at Russia's invasion.
The country launched a "full-scale invasion" on Ukraine with air strikes on major cities and troops arriving from the south and east.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the invasion as an "outrageous and immoral breach of the most fundamental and basic principles of international law".
"As a small country in particular, today’s use of brute force in pursuit of a warped perception of national interest is a serious affront", he said.
Nick has lived in Dublin for over 20 years. He told Lunchtime Live they were never expecting this.
"The only way to describe my feelings is shock.
"Myself and all the Ukrainian community wake up with the news that we anticipated, but never expected.
"It's a full military invasion from Russia to Ukraine."
Ukrainians living in Ireland protest outside Leinster House in Dublin over the Russian invasion. Picture by: Mairéad ClearyHe says he has spoken to some family members over there.
"I talked to my Mam, my in-laws, my uncle, my cousins - they're all really fearful.
"In my own town there was no bombing or shelling, but there was two airports - which are about 120 kilometres from my town - being bombed.
"And that sent shivers down the spine of people in Ukraine, because they don't know what to expect now".
He adds: "My heart is crying, I don't know how to describe - and I don't know how to reflect what they have to feel at the moment".
But he says he welcomes Ireland's waiving of visas for Ukrainian citizens.
"This is great news for us and for our members, because the visa in Ireland was very big and painful process to get.
"So I hope that the Irish Government could assist Ukraine with any help that they could provide us with".
Ukrainians living in Ireland protest outside Leinster House in Dublin over the Russian invasion. Picture by: Rory Walsh'A war upon Europe'
Anna has lived in Ireland for more than two decades, but returns home at least twice a year.
She says this is war on the whole of Europe.
"I'm really of course shocked, like everybody else is, [about] things that have happened overnight and what's going on right now.
"It is devastating. I spoke to my Mom, I spoke to some friends in Kyiv.
"I also talked with some friends who are on the run, trying to bring their families to safety.
"And people who dug in and said they will stay and meet whatever it is.
"It's a range of emotions, but generally I hope it's clear to everyone that it's a huge problem, it's a huge war and it's upon Europe".
And she says it is hard to believe this is actually happening.
"To the last moment you hope that, in the 21st century, this is not going to happen - this is not going to be allowed.
"How we will have the world functioning if one person can wreck such a havoc on a continent? Did we learn nothing from history?"
