STATEWIDE — As Russia’s Vladimir Putin launched an attack on Ukraine on Thursday, Florida’s political leaders reacted to the assault.

Russia’s troops propelled a wide-range attack on Ukraine, which voted for independence in a democratic vote from the then-Soviet Union in 1991, and explosions were heard in the capital of Kyiv. The attack drew criticism and concern for the Ukrainian people from both sides of the political spectrum.

U.S. Rep. Val Demings (D-FL-District 10), a former Orlando police chief, tweeted out a statement, blasting Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

“A career in law enforcement taught me that the only thing a bully understands is strength. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is an outrage. It is unprovoked, the act of a coward, despite attempts by Russia to falsely manufacture an excuse for war,” Demings stated.

Putin has called both Russians and Ukrainians “one people” and earlier this week recognized the separatist Ukraine regions as independent states. Russian-backed leaders control the Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic.

Putin’s efforts to go to war are an attempt to bring Ukraine back into Russia’s control.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) tweeted out that while Ukraine is outgunned and outmanned, its people are brave and tough fighters.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) and U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL-District 7) expressed their concern for the Ukrainian people.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa) retweeted a message from President Joe Biden, in which he stated that the world’s prayers are with the Ukrainian people.

U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL-District 6), a former U.S. Army Green Beret, said he does not believe sanctions will discourage Putin.

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL-District 9) expressed strong support for severe sanctions.

State Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is running in Florida's governor's race, released a statement saying that both nationally and internationally, everyone needs to come together to condemn Putin's "actions of war".

“This morning, we woke to a different reality, watching Russia’s unprovoked invasion of a free and democratic Ukraine, shattering decades-long peace in Europe. These acts of war are greatest felt by the people of Ukraine, who we must stand with and are praying for as their personal safety and way of life are now under assault by an authoritarian regime. We must unite as a state, nation, and global community to condemn these actions of war from Vladimir Putin. We must send a strong message that we will not allow aggressions against democracy anywhere,” she stated.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL-District 13) called Putin a “murderous dictator” and stated that the U.S. and its allies will meet the conflict “with fierce, unyielding pressure.”

“Russian President Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator who has invaded a sovereign democracy in an effort to recreate the glory days of the USSR,” stated the former Florida governor in a press release. “This is an unprovoked war of his choosing, and it will cause tremendous loss of life, destruction, and suffering. This aggression will be met with harsh, punishing sanctions designed to cripple the Russian economy. Bullies like Putin only respect power. The US, European Union and our allies will meet these transgressions with fierce, unyielding pressure, as we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and her people.”

Crist, like Fried, is running for governor.

Spectrum News has reached out to the governor's office for his reaction and is awaiting his reply.