Mayor Preston said: "To show support for the victims of Putin's aggression and inhumanity, I've asked deputy mayor Cllr Mieka Smiles to organise that Middlesbrough Town Hall flies Ukraine's colours by the end of the day, and that some of our buildings are lit in their colours too.

"We, of course, bear no animosity towards the Russian people - they too are victims of Putin's intimidation and bullying.

"None of us want any kind of war but we have to hit back at Putin and show others like him that there are consequences for his disgusting actions.

"We must urge our government to enforce stronger sanctions that hit the Russian economy hard.

"When the Russian billionaires and the political elite see their wealth being threatened they will turn on their insane leader, bringing an end to his tyranny."