Russian forces have launched a full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, attacking locations across the country. A number of people have been killed and thousands have fled their homes.
These maps and images help to explain what we know about what has happened so far.
Ukraine is in Eastern Europe and shares a border with Russia.
It used to be part of the Soviet Union but became an independent country in 1991.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sees Ukraine as historically part of Russia.
In 2014, Russia invaded Crimea, in the south of Ukraine, and continues to occupy it.
Russian forces crossed Ukraine’s borders early on Thursday morning and began bombing military targets near big cities.
Air strikes continued overnight and into the early hours of Friday, with attacks being reported across the country – including on the capital Kyiv.
Russians tanks were filmed on the outskirts of Kyiv on Friday morning, with the sound of heavy gunfire and explosions being heard in the capital.
A number of civilian areas have been targeted, including one apartment complex outside of Kharkiv – a city of 1.4 million people in north-eastern Ukraine.
Injured people – including a woman with bandages on her head – were seen after the air strikes.
IMAGE SOURCE,ANADOLU AGENCY
Since 2014, Russian-backed separatists and Ukraine’s armed forces have been fighting a war in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in which more than 14,000 people have died.
Ukraine says more than 100 people have been killed so far, including civilians.
Many are now trying to escape the country, with UN estimates suggesting over 100,000 people have already fled from their homes.
Streams of cars have been seen leaving major cities and are queuing to cross borders into neighbouring countries.
Some in Kyiv are hunkering down in the city’s metro stations and air raid shelters, while others are trying to escape.
Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania and Moldova have all said they expect a wave of refugees from Ukraine.
Timeline: How did we get here?
Satellite imagery suggests Russia is sending troops towards its border with Ukraine. Russia denies it is preparing for an invasion and accuses Nato of upping its activity in the region.
Russia says the crisis can only be solved if the West agrees to a list of demands, including a guarantee that Ukraine will never join Nato.
Russian troops begin arriving in Belarus for joint military exercises. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko plays down their significance, saying they are “normal exercises”.
Nato says its forces are on standby and more ships and fighter jets are being sent to the region. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says Nato will “continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all allies”.
The US responds to Russia’s list of demands, refusing to rule out Ukraine joining Nato in the future. In response, President Putin accuses the West of ignoring Russia’s concerns.
Russia says some of its troops are being withdrawn from areas near the Ukraine border – but Nato says it can see no evidence of a withdrawal.
President Putin recognises the independence of the two Russian-backed separatists areas in eastern Ukraine and says troops will be sent to support them.
Mr Putin announces a “special military operation” by Russian troops is underway in Ukraine. Ukraine says it is a “full-scale invasion”.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK “cannot and will not just look away” at Russia’s “hideous and barbaric” attack on Ukraine.
He said the UK and its allies will launch a “massive package” of sanctions – commercial and financial penalties – to “hobble” Russia’s economy.
He also tried to reassure the British public by promising to do “everything to keep our country safe” and work with allies “for however long it takes” to restore Ukraine’s independence.
As a result of the conflict, oil prices have surged past $100 (£75) a barrel to hit their highest level for more than seven years, which will impact already-rising petrol prices in the UK.
Events in Ukraine have also seen global share prices fall and the price of gold rise – as investors worry about the possible impact of the conflict.
Source: BBC
