The week in 35 photos

After months of military buildup and brinkmanship, Russia has launched an unprecedented military assault on Ukraine.

Explosions rang through a number of Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv, in a broad attack that began before dawn on Thursday.

Earlier in the week, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into separatist-held parts of eastern Ukraine in what the Kremlin called a "peacekeeping" mission, just hours after he signed decrees recognizing the independence of the Moscow-backed regions.

European countries and the United States have begun rolling out sanctions in response to Russia's actions.

Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.