Russian forces have seized the Chernobyl power plant, as Britain and America step up sanctions in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The former nuclear power plant is just two hours by road from the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

The Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant and an airfield near Kyiv have also been seized by Russian forces.

In response to the escalating war, US President Biden has announced every asset Russia has in America will be frozen.

New US sanctions will limit Russia’s ability to do business in the US dollar, pounds, euro and yen.

US Treasury notes the latest sanctions will impact nearly 80 per cent of all banking assets in Russia.

“Putin chose this war and now he and his country will bear the consequences,” Biden said.

Boris Johnson has unveiled to the British Parliament a raft of “massive” new sanctions on Russian banks and oligarchs, as well as a ban on the national airline Aeroflot.

The European Union is holding an emergency meeting in Brussels on further sanctions, with some former Soviet states fearful Vladimir Putin’s military ambitions extend beyond Ukraine’s borders.

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Image: airstrike hit an apartment complex in Chuhuiv, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine – Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images