In the deep red European stock markets, the STOXX 600 dip 3.5%

European stock markets continue to plummet in Thursday as the global investment community watches the Russian invasion of Ukraine following President Vladimir Putin’s decision to permanently abandon the diplomatic path and choose military conflict.

World markets are shaken by Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine, while oil prices are plunging into a new rally, with Brent surpassing $ 100 a barrel for the first time since 2014.

News agencies report large explosions in Kiev, Odessa, Kharkiv and Mariupol. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is the largest military operation in Europe since World War II, analysts say. The Russian president said that the goal of the operation is the demilitarization of Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden has condemned the attack, warning that Russia will be held accountable for its actions. The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, spoke of a “barbaric” attack on Russia, while announcing that a second large package of targeted sanctions against Russia would be proposed for approval to European leaders. “Russia is not only targeting Donbass and Ukraine, but it is also targeting the stability of Europe and the entire international peace order. President Putin will be held accountable for that,” he said.

On the board, the pan-European STOXX 600 index plunges 3.4% to 438.28 points.

The German DAX fell 4.4% to 13,986.96 points, the French CAC 40 lost 4.2% to 6,496.28 points, while the British FTSE 100 plunged 2.75% to 7,290.96 points.

In the periphery, the Italian FTSE MIB loses 4.1%, while the Spanish IBEX 35 plunges 3.6%.

Geopolitical concerns are driving investors to the security of government bonds, with the 10-year US yield losing 9 basis points at 1.90% and the corresponding German yield falling six basis points. at 0.16%. The yield in the British 10-year decline is 7 bp. at 1.41%