Ukraine conflict: Simple visual guide to the Russian invasion

Getty Images Civilians evacuated from UkraineGetty Images

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.

Where is Ukraine? banner

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.

Map showing the location of Ukraine

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.

Image and text: Ukraine is… the second-largest country by area in Europe after Russia; It is also one of the poorest; it is home to about 40 million people - the seventh most populous in Europe. Around three million live in capital Kyiv; About eight in 10 Ukrainian citizens consider their native language to be Ukrainian, while almost two in 10 consider it Russian
Where has Russia attacked? banner

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. A second night of attacks followed with heavy gunfire and explosions in parts of the capital.

Map showing Russian strikes on Ukraine

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.

Anadolu Agency A wounded woman in Kharkiv, UkraineAnadolu Agency

An apartment building in Kyiv was hit by a missile on Saturday morning.

Why is Russia invading Ukraine? banner

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.

President Putin this month recognised the two regions held by the Russian-backed separatists as independent states and ordered Russian troops there, tearing up a peace deal.

Map showing separatist areas in Eastern Ukraine
How are Ukraine's people being affected? banner

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.

Cars leaving Ukraine's capital Kyiv

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.

Why did the war start now? banner
What does the war in Ukraine mean for the UK?

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.

Chart showing rising oil prices

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.