After a long escalation, Russia has now launched a military invasion of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the order on Thursday morning.

Voices and reactions from cultural figures active in Ukraine are now beginning to be heard.

Mark Neville is a British documentary photographer living and working in Kiev.

Since 2015, he has documented everyday life in Ukraine through photographs.

According to him, the situation is surreal.

- Despite the build-up and that we lived with the threat for a long time, I did not think it would happen yet, says Mark Neville to Kulturnyheterna.

In March, Neville releases a photo album called Stop the tanks with books.

It is made up of images from within the country where he calls on the West to act against Russia's pressure on Ukraine.

As a British citizen, he has been urged to return to Britain.

Despite this, he has chosen to stay so as not to leave his home and his partner, who is a Ukrainian citizen.

How will it affect you as a cultural practitioner?

- It's not a priority right now.

I just want to stay alive and make sure the people I care about feel good, says Mark Neville.

Great lack of information in the Ukrainian media

As for how the current situation is portrayed in the Ukrainian media, there is a great lack of information.

This is the opinion of Dmitry Filimonov, who is an independent journalist in the country's capital.

- There is very little information from the authorities, I suspect that it was an unexpected development for them, says Filimonov to Kulturnyheterna.

He continues:

- Most of the news is spread via social media where the clips come from private individuals who are in the affected places.

Profiles take a stand on social media

Reactions are also expressed on social media platforms.

Ukrainian singer Ruslana Lyzhychko won the 2004 Eurovision song contest with the song Wild Dances.

On her Instagram page, she urges the people of the country to stay together and not panic while praying to God for peace in Ukraine.

- I know for sure that the world will stand united behind Ukraine.

We have worked for many years for the rest of the world to see that Ukraine has suffered from the Russian regime for centuries.

The world feels compassion and will help us, writes Lyzhychko.