PUTIN has made a chilling threat to Europe as he warned that if Sweden and Finland join NATO there will be "detrimental military and political consequences."

Russia shares a border with Finland and a sea border with Sweden – and the comments followed Putin's intensified invasion of Ukraine as they attempt to reach Kyiv.

Russian Federation's foreign affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said yesterday: "Finland and Sweden should not base their security on damaging the security of other countries and their accession to NATO can have detrimental consequences and face some military and political consequences."

And after the broadcast, the foreign ministry added on Twitter: "We regard the Finnish government's commitment to a military non-alignment policy as an important factor in ensuring security and stability in northern Europe.

"Finland's accession to NATO would have serious military and political repercussions."

Many have now seen this as a direct threat to the Nordic countries – who are geographically closest in that region to Russia.

It's believed that Putin attacked Ukraine after it was discussed that the country may join NATO – bringing a western military presence to Russia's doorstep.

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And it's now warned that similar moves by Finland and Sweden could potentially provoke similar furore with Putin.

Days ago, Ex-Nato Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, said if Putin's soldiers set foot into Nato territories members "will go to war with Russia".

This new warning from Putin comes as Ukranian forces have captured "hundreds" Russian troops near the capital Kyiv, one of the country's MPs has claimed.

Sviatoslav Yurash was speaking after an overnight attempt by Vladimir Putin's forces to storm the city failed in the face of fierce resistance.

Harrowing images from the Ukrainian capital show burning vehicles, buildings blasted by missiles and flames lighting up the night sky.

At least 198 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed and 1,115 people wounded so far, the Ukrainian government has said.

ON THE WARPATH

On Friday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused a US offer of evacuation reportedly saying:  "I need ammo not a ride."

"The fights is here," he told US officials amid as Russian forces stormed the capital, encountering fierce Ukrainian resistance.

In video messages, he also quashed rumours he has called for a surrender.

"We will not put down weapons, we will defend our state. Glory to our defenders, both male and female. Glory to Ukraine!"

Ahead of the fighting, Zelenskyy said he was top of tyrant Vladimir Putin's hitlist as he warned that Ukraine's outgunned warriors faced a long and hard night.

But he warned bully Putin that Friday night would prove to be "very difficult" as Russia looks to use all available forces to break Ukraine's resistance.

Latest in Ukraine…

• Shocking footage shows the moment a missile, believed to be Russian, slammed into an apartment block.
• Defiant Ukrainian soldiers are using UK missiles to fight off Putin's invasion
• Putin is unleashing Chechen special forces squad known as the "hunters" as Russia prepares to use "father of all bombs".
• Amid the chaos a young mother has given birth in a metro station in Kyiv.
• Russians protesting Putin's violent invasion have scrawled graffiti comparing him to Nazi monster Adolf Hitler.
• Ukrainian troops managed to recapture a key airport after a botched helicopter assault by the Russians
• Russia managed to capture Chernobyl power plant – sparking fears of a new nuclear disaster
• Western sanctions are targeting Russian money as Boris Johnson branded Putin as a "bloodstained aggressor"

Residents have been urged to stay inside shelters, including underground stations and hotel basements.

Outside of Kyiv, air raid sirens were heard in multiple Ukrainian cities, including Lviv, Lutsk, Rivne, Uman, and Vinnytsia.

Ukraine's Defence Ministry has urged people in Kyiv to make their own petrol bombs to repel the Russian invaders.

More than 10,000 assault rifles have been handed out to ordinary citizens in the city as part of a last-ditch defence of the capital.

Ukrainians have pledged to fight to the death to defend their country, after President Zelenskyy urged his country's military to "take power in your own hands".

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