European stock markets are falling sharply after the Russian military attacked and gained control of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index slid 2.5%, with automotive stocks plunging 4.7% to lead losses as all sectors and major bourses fell into negative territory.
A fire erupted at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant after an attack by Russian forces. Ukraine’s nuclear agency said Russian troops have now taken control of the nuclear facility.
International leaders have condemned the bombardment and United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he would call for an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss the attack.
Russia has been ratcheting up its assault on Ukraine in recent days, shelling major cities and advancing toward the capital city of Kyiv. The invasion has drawn unprecedented economic sanctions from Western governments.
Market in Asia also fell as investors continued to monitor the invasion, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index and Japan’s Nikkei 225 both falling more than 2% to lead losses.
U.S. stock futures are also down ahead of a key jobs report. At the bottom of the European blue chip index, German energy company Uniper (UN01) is down 12%.
