Boris Johnson says Putin is planning 'the biggest war in Europe since 1945' as intelligence suggests Russia will encircle Ukrainian capital Kiev in coming invasion

 Boris Johnson has warned that evidence suggests that Vladimir Putin is planning 'the biggest war in Europe since 1945' and said there are signs the plan has 'in some senses' begun.

The Prime Minister told the BBC's Sophie Raworth that intelligence suggests Russia intends to launch an attack coming down from Belarus to encircle Ukraine's capital Kiev - a city with a population of 2.8 million people.

Speaking after the Munich Security Conference, he said: 'The plan that we're seeing is for something that could be the biggest war in Europe since 1945 just in terms of sheer scale.'

His comments mirrored President Joe Biden warning that the US has reason to believe Russian forces 'intend to attack' Ukraine in the coming days, including targeting Kiev.

Mr Johnson also said that people needed to understand 'the sheer cost in human life' that such an invasion could 'entail', both for Ukrainians and Russians.

He added: 'All the signs are that the plan has already in some senses begun.' 

His stark warning came after he warned an invasion of Ukraine appear to be 'in motion' and could cause 'the destruction of a democratic state' and 'the shock will echo around the world'.

Boris Johnson said intelligence suggests Russia intends to launch an attack coming down from Belarus to encircle Ukraine's capital Kiev. Pictured: The Prime Minister meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Reservists take part in tactical training and individual combat skills conducted by the Territorial Defense of the Capital in Kiev on February 19

Mr Johnson also said that people needed to understand 'the sheer cost in human life' that such an invasion could 'entail', both for Ukrainians and Russians. Pictured: Russian president Vladimir Putin

A mixed air striking group performs a bomb strike during the Allied Resolve 2022 joint military drills held by Belarusian and Russian troops at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told world leaders at the Munich Security Conference that an invasion of Ukraine by Russia would bring about the 'destruction of a democratic state', as he called for unity among the West in reacting to any attack

Ukrainian civilians are trained by the armed forces to join a new military branch: the Territorial Defense Force in a training ground in Dnipro on Saturday

Citizens of the Donetsk People's Republic are seen at a railway station in Debaltsevo during a mass evacuation to Russia's Rostov-on-Don Region

As tension escalated in east Ukraine on Friday, the leaders of the Lugansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic announced a mass evacuation of civilians to Russia

Volunteers are seen at a mobilisation station as tension escalated in east Ukraine on Saturday when a mass evacuation of civilians to Russia was announced

The Prime Minister said that aggression in separatist-held areas in the east of Ukraine had the potential be a 'prelude to bigger action', with the West fearing a so-called 'false flag' operation that could give Moscow cover to wage war on Kiev.

Mr Johnson made the comments to broadcasters following his speech to the Munich Security Conference, where he is meeting world leaders to discuss the tension in eastern Europe.

Speaking at the summit today, Mr Johnson said the 'omens are grim' from Russia on the possibility of an invasion in the coming days, and that the world could not 'underestimate the gravity of this moment'. 

While in Munich, Mr Johnson has held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy - to whom he offered the UK's 'unequivocal support' - and has met German chancellor Olaf Scholz and the leaders of Latvia and Estonia. 

Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mr Johnson said: 'If Ukraine is invaded and if Ukraine is overwhelmed, we will witness the destruction of a democratic state, a country that has been free for a generation, with a proud history of elections. 

Mr Boris jetted to the annual conference in Bavaria to make a plea to avoid 'unnecessary bloodshed' by diplomatic means if the West speaks with 'one voice'. 

Volunteers are seen at a mobilisation station in east Ukraine on Saturday after a mass evacuation of civilians to Russia was announced as tensions escalate 

Johnson used the summit to address the rising tensions over a potential war breaking out with a Russian invasion of Ukraine

While in Munich, Mr Johnson has met with new German chancellor Olaf Scholz (pictured together) and the leaders of Latvia and Estonia

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson pose for media prior to their meeting

Police officers stand guard at a railway station as citizens of the Lugansk People's Republic board a Russia-bound train during a mass evacuation from Lugansk, east Ukraine

Citizens of the Lugansk People's Republic arrive to a railway station to board a Russia-bound train during mass evacuation from Lugansk, east Ukraine. The train is the first to depart for Russia from the Lugansk People's Republic since 2014

Ukrainian civilians are trained by the armed forces to join a new military branch: the Territorial Defense Force in a training ground in Dnipro on Saturday

Ukrainian male civilians were seen wearing camouflage gear and firing guns as they were trained by the armed forces to join a new military branch: the Territorial Defense Force in a training ground in Dnipro on Saturday

The formation of the Territorial Defense Force is to harness well-trained civilian reservists around the country, led by professional soldiers, to help combat Russia's possible invasion

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference today, the Prime Minister said the 'omens are grim' from Russia on the possibility of an invasion in the coming days, and that the world could not 'underestimate the gravity of this moment'

In a video posted on social media, the Mr Johnson said: 'Unity is absolutely vital if we are going to deter what I think would be an absolutely catastrophic act of aggression by Vladimir Putin'

'And every time Western ministers have visited Kiev, we have reassured the people of Ukraine and their leaders that we stand four-square behind their sovereignty and independence.

'How hollow, how meaningless, how insulting those words would seem if at the very moment when their sovereignty and independence is imperilled we simply look away.

'If Ukraine is invaded, the shock will echo around the world, and those echoes will be heard in East Asia they will be heard in Taiwan. 

Speaking about Ukraine tensions, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the 'omens are grim' from Russia.

He added: 'We should not underestimate the gravity of this moment and what is at stake.

'As I speak to you today, we do not fully know what President Putin intends, but the omens are grim and that is why we must stand strong together.

Mr Johnson was joined in Munich by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who met with counterparts including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Speaking at the summit, Ms Truss said Uraine could face the worst-case scenario of a Russian invasion as soon as next week, and that Europe was facing one of its most perilous security situations since the early 20th century.

'The reality is that Russia does want to turn the clock back,' said Truss.

'In the last week alone, we've seen a doubling of disinformation, and we've seen false flag operations in the Donbass region. I'm afraid that Russia has shown that they are not serious about diplomacy.'   

Ukrainian civilians are trained by the armed forces to join a new military branch: the Territorial Defense Force in a training ground in Dnipro on Saturday

Volunteers receive uniform at a military compound of the people's police of the Lugansk People's Republic as tensions escalate in east Ukraine

Citizens of the Donetsk People's Republic are seen at a railway station in Debaltsevo during a mass evacuation to Russia's Rostov-on-Don Region

Citizens of the Donetsk People's Republic are seen outside a train at a railway station in Debaltsevo during a mass evacuation to Russia's Rostov-on-Don Region