INTERNATIONAL: Asian currencies and equities sank on Thursday (February 24) as Russia invaded Ukraine, sending oil prices soaring.

Japan's Nikkei index marked its lowest close in 15 months on Thursday as investors worldwide dumped risk assets after Russian forces attacked Ukraine. The Nikkei share average closed 1.81% lower at 25,970.82, its weakest since Nov. 20, 2020, after paring earlier losses of up to 2.5%. The broader Topix fell 1.25% to 1,857.58. Both indexes notched a fifth straight session of decline.

South Korean shares closed lower on Thursday, marking their worst day in a month, as investors dumped equities after Russian troops fired missiles at several Ukrainian cities. The won fell to a three-week low, and the benchmark bond yield fell. The benchmark KOSPI.KS11 ended down 70.73 points, or 2.60%, at 2,648.80 — logging the sharpest decline since Jan. 27. It has fallen 11.04% so far this year.

China stocks ended lower on Thursday, tracking a sell-off in global equities after Russia invaded Ukraine with strikes on major cities. At closing, the Shanghai Composite Index lost 1.7% or 59.19 points to 3,429.96 points.

Hong Kong markets fell sharply on Thursday, with the benchmark Hang Seng index landing at 22,901.56 - a drop of 758.72 points or 3.21%.