At close, the Sensex is down 768.87 points or 1.40% at 54,333.81, and the Nifty was down 252.60 points or 1.53% at 16,245.40, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine escalated, with Russian forces attacking and seizing control over Europe's largest nuclear power plant earlier today. Dr Reddy’s Lab was the top Sensex gainer, up 2.78% accompanied by ITC, Tech Mahindra, and Ultratech Cement. On the other hand, Titan, Maruti Suzuki, and Asian Paints were the top laggards. The BSE MidCap index declined 2.3 percent and the BSE SmallCap index, meanwhile, settled 1.3 percent lower. Sectorally, only the Nifty IT index eked out again on the NSE, rising 0.14 percent. The Nifty Auto index was the worst hit index today for a second straight day as it ended 3.3 percent down today. All other remaining indices fell between 1 and 3 percent. India VIX closed 0.71% lower.