People in the United Kingdom woke up this morning to horrifying news that Russia had begun a military invasion of Ukraine.
It is a seismic day for the world and everyone, particularly those in Ukraine, are trying to come to terms with the unfolding and hugely worrying situation.
Many in this country will be wondering and worrying what the crisis means for them - and we have taken a quick look at the ramifications of Russia's actions for our country.
Firstly, what has happened?
Russian president Vladimir Putin this morning announced he was launching a 'special military operation' in the east of Ukraine.
Mr Putin said his goal was the “demilitarisation” of Ukraine, and he warned that if western nations were to interfere they would endure “consequences they had never seen”.
The UK, the US and other western countries have always made clear they will side with Ukraine in any conflict.
What is the UK's role in this crisis?
While we may be on the other side of Europe to Russia and Ukraine, the United Kingdom is a key player in this crisis.
The country may no longer be a member of the European Union, but we are a high profile member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) along with the United States and other key allies.
READ MORE: Russia invasion of Ukraine and everything we know so far
While Ukraine is not actually a member of NATO, it is strongly allied with the organisation and the countries that are part of it.
The UK and other western nations have continually said they will support Ukraine if any invasion takes place.
Today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "This is a catastrophe for our continent. I will make an address to the nation this morning on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I will also speak to fellow G7 leaders and I am calling for an urgent meeting of all NATO leaders as soon as possible."
How involved will the UK be?
This is a big question and the answer is not yet known.
The UK government have attempted to reach diplomatic resolutions with Russia, including a trip to Moscow by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss - but they ultimately all failed.
The UK has sent a small number of military personnel to nearby areas including Poland and has supplied around 2,000 anti-tank missiles to the country.
NATO has said it is unwilling to send troops to Ukraine, but not everyone agrees that this is ruled out as a possibility.
Speaking to the BBC this morning, Sir Richard Sheriff, former deputy supreme commander of NATO told the BBC: "Absolutely there is a possibility that we as a nation could be at war with Russia, because if Russia puts one bootstep across Nato territory, we are all at war with Russia. Every single one, every single member of the Nato alliance."
Yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a number of sanctions against Russia.
Five banks have had their assets frozen, along with three Russian billionaires - who will also be hit with UK travel bans - but he was urged to go much further and there may be further sanctions announced today.
Could invasion push up UK gas prices?
Another potential impact of the ongoing crisis that could be felt here in the UK concerns energy bills.
The country is currently facing an historic cost of living crisis, with high energy prices already causing big problems for households.
Unfortunately Russia's invasion of Ukraine could make things worse.
The UK actually sources very little of its gas from Russia, but the knock on effect of the Russian crisis could affect global markets.
Putin could respond to sanctions from western countries, including the halting of the building of a giant gas pipeline from Russia to Germany known as Nord Stream 2, by cutting off gas supplies to Europe.
This would cause the wholesale cost of gas to rocket, seeing prices rise everywhere, including the UK.
What about fuel and food?
The decision of Russia to invade Ukraine has already sent gas prices rising, according to the RAC.
The organisation's fuel spokesman, Simon Williams said: "Russia's decision to invade Ukraine is already causing oil prices to rise and will undoubtedly send fuel prices inexorably higher towards the grim milestone of £1.50 a litre.
"'The price of oil is likely to go above $100 and stay there on the back of traders fearing future disruptions in supply. This spells bad news for drivers in the UK struggling to afford to put fuel in their cars.
"With retailers quick to pass on any wholesale price rises they experience, we could sadly see the average price of unleaded hit £1.50 in the next few days and diesel approaching £1.54."
People in the UK have already been facing soaring inflation rates, meaning food shops have become much more expensive.
A war could lead to significant disruption to ship movements around the Black Sea, which would fuel higher food inflation given that Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan and Romania all ship grain from ports in the area.
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