Commodities advanced to the highest level in almost six months as escalating tension in Ukraine fueled concern that energy and agricultural supplies will be disrupted while increasing demand for gold as a haven. The Standard & Poor’s GSCI Index (SPGSCI) of 24 raw materials climbed as much as 1.6 percent to 660.26, the highest level since Sept. 9, and was at 659.55 at 8:10 a.m. in London. Brent crude in London jumped 2 percent, wheat in Chicago surged 3.9 percent, while gold futures in New York increased 1.9 percent. Natural gas and corn also advanced. Russia , the world’s largest energy exporter, seized control of the Black Sea region of Crimea in Ukraine, where tension has escalated since Russia-backed Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown as president on Feb. 22. More than half of Russia’s gas exports to the European Union are shipped through Ukraine, which is set to be the […]