UPDATE: Map & Boeing Comment On Malaysian Plane Shot Down in Ukraine

According to Russian news agency Interfax, a Boeing 777 was shot down near the Russian-Ukrainian border earlier Thursday. Benzinga contacted Boeing for comment on the speculation.

Spokesperson Doug Alder commented in an email, “We are aware of media reports-- and gathering more information.”

Shortly after, Boeing tweeted:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Our thoughts and prayers are with those on board MH17, as well as their families and loved ones. We stand ready to provide assistance.</p>— Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) <a href="https://twitter.com/BoeingAirplanes/statuses/489804488333869056">July 17, 2014</a></blockquote>

The plan was supposedly flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with 295 passengers aboard. Note the image of the flight path before the plane was last below from FlightAware.

News of the supposed attack has sent markets spiraling downward. At last check the S&P 500 was down 0.6 percent while the VIX was up 15 percent.

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs