The Russian President Vladimir Putin has pulled the trigger for the invasion of Ukraine, after a televised speech that shocked the world. 

As explosions rang out across Ukraine, western nations could do little more than monitor what was unfolding. 

Today, Russia expert and former Moscow resident Professor Samuel Greene helps us make sense of a day that will reshape the world, and Kyiv resident Olga Polotska describes the moment Russia’s strikes on her hometown began. 

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Professor Samuel Greene, Director, King’s Russia Institute, King’s College London 

Dr Olga Polotska, Executive Director, Ukraine National Research Foundation, Kyiv

As Vladimir Putin moves closer to a full blown war in Ukraine by ordering troops into two separatist regions in the east of the country, western nations are rolling out sanctions in a bid to bring the Russian leader back from the brink. 

Bill Browder, the American businessman instrumental in a long-running campaign to sanction the Kremlin, says only the toughest financial consequences will deter Putin, who's desperate to retain his immense wealth and stay in power. 

Today, we ask him: What makes the Russian leader tick, and can anything stop a bloody, protracted war? 

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Bill Browder, businessman and political activist

More than a million homeowners in Australia have never experienced a rate rise, but they're about to. 

It's now widely tipped that the Reserve Bank of Australia is ready to push rates up within months, bringing pain to many overstretched mortgage holders. 

Today, the ABC's Business Editor Ian Verrender on why you should start saving now.  

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Ian Verrender, ABC Business Editor

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, could be about to unleash the biggest invasion in Europe since the Second World War. 

Western leaders warn a Ukraine invasion would be a bloody and protracted affair, sparking a migrant crisis and having deep economic implications across the world, including for Australians. 

Today, long-time foreign correspondent for the ABC, Eric Campbell, helps make sense of the conflicting accounts of what's really happening on the ground. 

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Eric Campbell, ABC TV Foreign Correspondent

Australia's begun reopening its borders to international travellers and some states are easing COVID restrictions, but it's just a fraction of what Boris Johnson is about to do in England. 

The British Prime Minister's set to declare victory in the fight against COVID, and will this week move to scrap all restrictions including self-isolation rules. 

It'll be a welcome distraction for a leader under immense pressure over the Downing Street lockdown parties scandal, but scientists say he's moving too fast. 

Today, a former director of the World Health Organisation, Dr Anthony Costello, on Boris Johnson's litany of pandemic mistakes, and why nations like Australia shouldn't follow in his footsteps. 

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Professor Anthony Costello, Institute for Global Health, University College London

The head of Australia's peak spy agency, ASIO, says matters of national security shouldn't be politicised.

But it's a bit late for that: All this week, the Federal Government's been on the attack, after it was revealed China had tried but failed to target potential Labor Party candidates in New South Wales ahead of the election.

Today, the host of Insiders on ABC TV, David Speers, on the prime minister's 'reds under the beds' scare campaign.

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David Speers, Host, ABC TV Insiders

Prince Andrew's fall from grace is complete, after he settled in the rape case brought by Australian-based woman Virginia Giuffre. 

It means the Prince avoids having to face a gruelling cross examination in a US court, which would have delved into the allegations as well as his ties to child sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein.

Today, the ABC's Royal Correspondent, Juliet Rieden, on the journey of a disgraced prince and what it means for Epstein's other victims.

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Juliet Rieden, ABC Royal Correspondent

It was the biggest rally they'd managed so far: On the weekend, up to 10,000 'Convoy to Canberra' protesters gathered outside the parliament. 

So who are they, what do they want, and why should you care?

Today we speak to independent researcher into far right extremism and conspiracies, Dr Kaz Ross.

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Kaz Ross, independent researcher

We all think we know how bad the Omicron wave was, but we're only now starting to get a better sense of just how dire things became at its peak in our hospitals. 

More healthcare workers are speaking out about the chaotic scenes in emergency rooms and outside hospitals, where ambulances were kept waiting with critical patients onboard. 

Today, ABC Background Briefing reporter Mayeta Clark on why nurses in NSW have voted to strike for the first time in 10 years, and why others across the nation are quitting their jobs. 

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Mayeta Clark, ABC Background Briefing reporter

In Australia, elections are always won or lost in a few dozen marginal electorates based on the views of the so-called undecided.

So as this year's poll draws near, what do they make of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese? 

Today, 4 Corners Reporter Sean Nicolls on the voters who really matter.

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Sean Nicholls, Reporter, ABC 4 Corners