Vladimir Putin's recent actions have demanded the world's attention, but his earlier years are shrouded in mystery.

A Tasmanian devil has become the first of its kind in the world to have cataract surgery to restore its lost sight.

Derrick the 11-month old devil was born at conservation organisation Aussie Ark and is being hand-raised at the Australian Reptile Park, near Gosford north of Sydney.

It was his carer, and head of mammals Hewin Hochkins, who first noticed Derrick was losing his eyesight.

LIVE UPDATES: Russia declares 'military action' in Ukraine

Mr Hochkins began to notice small, milky white dots appearing in Derrick's eyes, which quickly grew.

It became apparent Derrick could no longer see and the cloudy pupils were soon diagnosed as cataracts by Somersby Animal Hospital vet Dr Robin Crisman.

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Cataracts are a debilitating condition often found in dogs but haven't been seen before in Tasmanian devils.

In humans, cataracts are one of the most common causes of blindness, especially in developing countries.

The team at Eye Clinic for Animals in Sydney was contacted to see whether surgery would be an option for Derrick.

Dr Kelly Caruso, surgeon at Eye Clinic for Animals, conducted a number of tests to determine the severity of the cataracts and the possibility of surgery.

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Derrick's case was listed as critical and surgery performed that same day, to give the little devil a chance of ever seeing again.

But there was no guarantee the procedure would be a success.

"In 10 years of operation, or my decades in the industry, I have never seen a Tasmanian devil undergo cataract surgery," Hayley Shute, manager of Conservation at Aussie Ark, said.

"It was quite startling, and of course, our only thought is of Derrick the devil and how we can ensure his health and future."

READ MORE: Tasmanian devils return to mainland for the first time in 3000 years

In 90 per cent of household pets, there has been success with cataract surgery when done in both eyes at the same time.

And the procedure is the same as for humans.

It involves the use of ultrasound energy using a process called phacofragmentation. During Derrick's surgery, the eye lens was removed and an artificial lens was placed back in.

In total, the operation took more than four hours to complete.

Derrick later received around-the-clock care with his keepers giving antibiotics, monitoring the healing process and providing lots of cuddles.

He's made incredible progress and his veterinary team are confident in the success of the surgery to give Derrick his sight back.

Derrick is still being hand-reared by his surrogate dad, but once his vision is restored the animal is expected to call the Aussie Ark home once again.

He's due to join the conservation successful breeding program, protecting the species from extinction.

The head of the United Nations implored Vladimir Putin not to attack Ukraine and to "give peace a chance," a plea made just minutes before the Russian President announced a military operation in Ukraine.

The televised announcement came as UN Security Council members were pressing Russia to reverse course.

The council had hastily gathered for an emergency meeting hours after Russia said rebels in eastern Ukraine had asked Moscow for military assistance, an announcement that immediately fuelled fears that Moscow was laying the groundwork for war.

LIVE UPDATES: Ukraine President pleads for peace

"If indeed an operation is being prepared, I have only one thing to say from the bottom of my heart: President Putin, stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance. Too many people have already died," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the council.

Less than a half hour later, while members called on Russia to halt its confrontational moves, Mr Putin announced a military operation that he said was meant to protect civilians.

He warned other countries that any effort to interfere with the Russian operation would lead to "consequences they have never seen."

It wasn't immediately clear whether council members were aware of the development.

READ MORE: The sanctions that could really hurt Russia

The council, where Russia holds the rotating presidency this month, was meeting just two days after another emergency session where other members expressed no support for Moscow's decision to recognise two rebel regions of Ukraine as independent and to order Russian troops there for "peacekeeping".

Council diplomats are now finalising a draft of a resolution that would declare that Russia is violating the UN Charter, international law, and a 2015 council resolution on Ukraine, a diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the discussions were private.

The resolution would urge Russia to come back into compliance immediately, the diplomat said.

Earlier Wednesday, diplomats from dozens of countries took the floor at the UN General Assembly to deplore Russia's actions toward the country and plead for diplomacy.

READ MORE: Nearly 200,000 Russian troops on border, says Ukraine president

Russia and ally Syria defended Moscow's moves. But even China, which usually takes Russia's side at the UN, spoke up for the world body's longstanding principle of respecting countries' sovereignty and internationally recognised borders, while not mentioning Russia by name.

Echoing a narrative being broadcast to Russians at home, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia portrayed his country as responding to the plight of beleaguered people in the breakaway areas.

Russia claims Ukraine is engaging in violence and oppression, which Ukraine denies.

"We urge you today to focus on reining in Kyiv," Nebenzia said.

Syria accused the West of using the assembly to pressure Moscow.

READ MORE: US warns full-scale invasion of Ukraine could be imminent

"The Ukrainian crisis was created by the Western states, led by the United States, to divide people and to undermine Russian security," Ambassador Bassam al-Sabbagh said.

Meeting a day after Western powers and some other countries imposed new sanctions on Russia, the 193-member General Assembly didn't take any collective action.

But the comments from nearly 70 nations, with more scheduled for Monday, represented the broadest forum of global sentiment since the crisis dramatically escalated this week.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba implored countries to use tough economic sanctions, strong messages and "active diplomacy" to get Russia to back off.

READ MORE: UK to send more military aid to Ukraine

A lacklustre response would jeopardise not only Ukraine but the concept of international law and global security, he warned.

"We need to use this last chance for action and stop Russia where it is," Kuleba said.

Russia seized Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula in 2014, and pro-Russia rebels have since been fighting Ukrainian forces in the eastern areas of Donetsk and Luhansk. More than 14,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

After weeks of rising tension as Moscow massed over 150,000 troops on Ukraine's borders, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognised the two regions' independence and ordered Russian forces there as what he called "peacekeepers."

Guterres disputed that, saying they are troops entering another country without its consent.

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Paramedics have been called to the home of mining mogul Clive Palmer and his wife, after reports the pair were experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

Three ambulances arrived at their home in the Gold Coast Hinterland today and the couple was taken to Pindara Private Hospital.

Mr Palmer is chairman of the United Australia Party and has been vocal in his opposition to vaccines and other public health measures.

READ MORE: Russia to launch 'special military operation' in Ukraine

As part of his electoral campaign, the party is advertising its opposition to vaccines and has hosted rallies in protest of mandates.

The 67-year-old is unvaccinated.

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A Queensland resident has spotted an unusually large and thick red-bellied black snake in his home, confirmed by snake catchers as one of the biggest seen in recent memory.

Snake Catcher Stu McKenzie said his team were called to a job in Ningi, in south-east Queensland's Moreton Bay region, where a man was concerned about a red bellied black snake seen in his yard.

"The guy just saw this big black snake cruising through the yard and then it's hidden behind a retainer wall," Mr McKenzie said.

READ MORE: The sanctions that could really hurt Russia

"He had a couple of dogs so wanted someone to take it.

"When snake catcher Rhien got there he was surprised to see a massive red belly, a lot bigger than what we were expecting that's for sure."

Mr McKenzie said whilst highly venomous, red-bellied black snakes are typically shy, and pose little risk to humans unless stepped on or pursued.

"It'll try and get away from you so not really a threat unless humans do something silly. If you were bitten you'd be in a bit of strife.

"We don't see really big black bellies that often, around 1.1 metres usually, this one was around five foot, probably the thickest point is as thick as your wrist."

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He said this particular snake was likely on the older side, and extremely healthy due to wet weather bringing more frogs, the red-bellies typical diet.

"I think there's a few factors where we're finding a lot of healthy snakes and red bellies," Mr McKenzie said.

He added his client seemed unconcerned by the enormous find.

"He was pretty chill about it when I called to sort out payment we said that's one of the biggest red bellied black snakes we'd seen in a while and he was like 'ah righto.'"

READ MORE: US warns full-scale invasion of Ukraine could be imminent

Despite wet, Summer weather usually triggering busy periods for snake catchers, Mr McKenzie said snakes were likely in hiding due to the torrential rains.

"A bit of rain and humidity is good for snakes but when its a downpour and drenching it slows them down a bit," he said.

"It's actually been a slower February compared to normal but in saying that when the sun comes out it might make for a pretty crazy March."

The Sunshine Coast snake catcher advised residents to keep a look out for snakes and to call a qualified catcher for relocations.

"Common sense goes a long way."