THE Polish community in Worcester has shown solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Russian troops invaded Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday, with the Worcestershire Polish community showing its support to the neighbouring state.

Tom Wisniewski, leader of the Polish community in Worcestershire, said: "We are appalled by Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine, a democratic European nation.

"The Polish community stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine against Russia's aggression.

"Poland and the Polish community in the UK unequivocally supports Ukraine in its pro-Western aspirations."

Sharing a 332-mile border with Ukraine, Poland is also bracing for any spill-over from the conflict.

Sirens were reported as being heard in the Polish city of Medyka on the Ukrainian border.

Mr Wisniewski explained Poland and Ukraine's shared experiences of Russian occupation, with Poland only becoming independent from the Soviet Union in 1989 and Ukraine in 1991.

He said: "Poland and Poles experienced the war with Russia and that is why we know what the Ukrainians feels right now and we show our strong solidarity with them.

"We remember Soviet Union dividing and annexing the whole of Poland under the terms of the German–Soviet Frontier Treaty.

"I remember watching the end of the Cold War from Poland - we're right back to it now. I remember Russian tanks in the 90's that left Poland.

"I was standing right next to these tanks. I will never forget it.

"Someone might say it was a long time ago, but I think 1993 is not that far."

United Kingdom, Poland and Ukraine issued a joint statement on last Thursday saying that the three nations would be developing a trilateral memorandum of co-operation to support Ukraine and combat Russian aggression amid rising tensions between the two Eastern European nations.

Mr Wisniewski added he was pleased to see sanctions applied to Russia, saying there were "dark days" ahead before peace could be achieved.

He added: "In recent years, the Polish community in Worcester has supported and expressed solidarity in various crises.

"Last year, we did the "Free Poles in Belarus"campaign and now we also express our solidarity with the Ukrainian people and are making efforts to restore peace and security in Ukraine.

"International unity and solidarity with Ukraine are of utmost importance."