Ukraine Russia Crisis LIVE Updates: Russian forces invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on Thursday, confirming the West's worst fears with the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War Two. Here's all you need to know about it right now:
* Russian President Vladimir Putin says his aim is to demilitarise and 'denazify' Ukraine.
* Missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities and explosions were heard near the capital Kyiv. Ukraine said some military command centres were hit.
* NATO put more than 100 warplanes on alert. It will reinforce troops on its eastern flank but has no plans to deploy any in Ukraine, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.
* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged citizens prepared to defend the country to come forward, promising weapons to everyone who wanted them.
* The Kremlin said the length of the military operation depended on how it progressed, and that it should ideally "neutralise" Kyiv's military potential.
* The European Union will freeze Russian assets, halt access of its banks to the European financial market and target "Kremlin interests" over its "barbaric attack", senior officials said.
* U.S. President Joe Biden pledged "severe" G7 sanctions over what he called Putin's "premeditated war".
* Central European countries started preparations to receive people fleeing Ukraine.
* UK has announced tougher sanctions against Russia targeting banks, members of President Vladimir Putin's closest circle and the extremely wealthy who enjoy high-rolling London lifestyles.
*Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone about the Ukraine crisis on Thursday and called for an "immediate cessation of violence
*China rejected calling Russia's moves an "invasion" and urged all sides to exercise restraint.
*Wall Street opens 2% lower
*European stocks plunged nearly 3% as investors dumped riskier assets. Russia's rouble hit an all-time low.
*Brent crude oil price hits $105, while WTI crude oil hits $100.
*Wheat prices surge to nine-year high
*Gold hits 17-month high, Palladium jumps about 7% to highest since mid-August
*Brent crosses $105 a barrel for first time since 2014
*Silver surged 4.2% to $25.56 per ounce and platinum rose 2.7% to $1,121.10.
*Bitcoin falls to $35,000
*Rupee plummets 99 paise to 75.60/USD amid Ukraine crisis