The sound explosions rang out across much of Ukraine overnight, especially around the capital of Kiev.
According to reports, it's believed Russian troops now have the Ukrainian capital surrounded. The Kremlin says Russia is ready to send a delegation to neighboring Belarus in response to the Ukrainian government's offer to discuss a non-aligned status for his country. Moscow has demanded Ukraine drop its bid to join NATO, and adopt a neutral status.
Ukraine is major exporter of grain and sunflowers, in fact it's one of the top exporters of wheat. The less than 48-hour attack led by Russia has impacted some of the companies that ship product out of Ukraine. Cargill said on Thursday that one of the ocean vessels it charters was hit by a projectile in the Black sea, south of Ukraine. It says the ship remained seaworthy and all crew were safe and accounted for. In the meantime, other US agriculture companies are shutting down their operations in Ukraine for the time being. That includes Archer Daniels Midland and Bunge.
The start of Russia's invasion against its western neighbor impacted commodity markets on Thursday. Errol Anderson with ProMarket Communications in Calgary says the markets are affected by emotion right now. "Ukraine is one of the big four wheat exporters in the world. Also, they are an exporter of oil. A lot of volatility here. We don't really know where the top or the bottom is right now because human emotion is really driving these markets at the current time. Some markets are streaking higher and some are under incredible pressure right now, including the stock market and cryptos overall."
Click here to see more...