Using createRef in react-native with typescript?

I am trying to figure out how I need to use React.createRef() in react native with typescript as following code throws errors

 // ...

  circleRef = React.createRef();

  componentDidMount() {
    this.circleRef.current.setNativeProps({
      someProperty: someValue
    });
  }

  // ...

Currently following errors are thrown for this.circleRef.current.setNativeprops

[ts] Object is possibly 'null'. (property) React.RefObject<{}>.current: {} | null

and

[ts] Property 'setNativeProps' does not exist on type '{}'. any

any ideas?