Just a day before, market commentators were still divided on whether Russia would actually go beyond words and posturing. When news of the attacks broke during Asian market hours, the reaction was certain: Panic.
After weeks of on-off tensions, Russia has commenced hostilities against smaller neighbour Ukraine, sparking off what has been warned might just lead to Europe’s worst conflict since 1945.
In a move taken from tactical playbooks, the attacks began just before dawn. President Vladimir Putin describes the actions as “a special military operation” with the objective of the “demilitarisation and denazification” of Ukraine. According to Ukraine’s interior ministry, missiles struck and artillery fire rained on various parts of the country.
