Russia invades Ukraine: LIVE UPDATES
Kyiv remains under Ukrainian control as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refuses to leave his country on the third day of Russia’s invasion.
Coverage for this event has ended.
A Ukraine government Telegram channel claimed that Russian forces blew up a gas pipeline in Kharkiv on early Sunday morning.
The Telegram post said that the blast was not the result of a nuclear strike, despite a similar appearance.
A suspected Russian missile strike exploded at a civilian oil depot outside Kyiv early Sunday morning local time, Ukrainian officials said, near the start of the fourth day of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
"A missile attack launched on the oil depot in Vasilkov near Kyiv," Ukrainian MP Anna Purtova told Fox News around 2 a.m. in the region.
She described it as an "ecological catastrophe."
She also called on the U.S. and European Union to implement a no-fly zone over Ukrainian airspace.
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During a phone call on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron asked Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko to demand that Russian troops leave his country.
Macron "made a point of denouncing the seriousness of a decision which would authorize Russia to deploy nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil," a readout of the call provided by the presidential palace said.
Macron requested that Lukashenko demand the "withdrawal of Russian troops from Belarusian soil as quickly as possible, as these troops are waging a unilateral and unjust war."
EXCLUSIVE: ORLANDO, Fla. — Former President Trump warned that Russia’s multi-front invasion in Ukraine could lead to "world war" and told Fox News Digital that the Biden administration is going to have to "do a lot more than just sanctions" to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During an exclusive one-on-one interview with Fox News Digital on the sidelines of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, the former president said Russia’s war on Ukraine "never should have happened."
"It is a horrible thing. It would never have happened under any circumstance, and it is what it is," Trump said. "But there's great bravery being shown, and I think they’re doing one hell of a job—much more so than anybody would have thought possible."
When asked if he had a message to Putin, the president said: "I have no message."
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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced Friday that it is ending a partnership with the Skolkovo Institute of Science, which is in Moscow.
An announcement on MIT's website stats that the decision was made "In light of the unacceptable military actions against Ukraine by the Russian government."
"In light of the unacceptable military actions against Ukraine by the Russian government, MIT President L. Rafael Reif, in consultation with senior leadership, determined that MIT’s relationship with the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) must end," the statement reads.
According to WGBH, the partnership has raised espionage fears within the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
A Ukrainian man filmed himself offering a group of Russian soldiers a tow back to Russia after their tank ran out of fuel on the side of the road, video circulating on social media purportedly shows.
"Can I tow you back… to Russia," the Ukrainian man asked the soldiers in Russian after they told him they were out of gas.
Fox News has not independently verified the video but has confirmed the accuracy of the subtitles in the video and that the man was speaking Russian with a Ukrainian accent. It is unclear when the exchange took place.
The question elicited laughter from the soldiers, as one said they didn't know where they were going and another said they were going to Kyiv.
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Russia and China have maintained a close working relationship for years, but that relationship appears to be in question after Russian President Vladimir Putin made the decision to invade Ukraine and take on serious economic sanctions.
Two Chinese state-owned banks announced Friday, as reported by Bloomberg News, that they will restrict financing for Russian commodity purchases.
Offshore units of Industrial & Commercial Bank of China have stopped issuing U.S. dollar-denominated letters of credit for purchases of physical Russian commodities ready for export, while the Bank of China has also limited funding.
The implementation of those restrictions, which could be temporary, brings into question Beijing's support for Moscow as Western alliances deliver harsh sanctions on Russia. According to Bloomberg, the four largest banks in China have complied with prior sanctions from the U.S. against Iran, North Korea and officials in Hong Kong because they need access to the U.S. dollar clearing system.
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A missile has hit an oil depot in Vasilkov near Kyiv, a government Telegram channel said on early Sunday morning local time.
A video provided to Fox News by Ukraine Parliament member Anna Purtova shows a large fire burning outside the city.
“A missile attack launched on the oil depot in Vasilkov near Kyiv. Ecological catastrophy! Europe, USA, close the sky over Ukraine!," Purtova said.
Residents are being advised to stay inside and close their windows.
Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich contributed to this report
NHL legend and Hall of Famer goaltender Dominik Hasek slammed Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin on Saturday for his remarks on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and called on the league to suspend the contracts of all Russian players.
Hasek, a six-time Vezina Trophy winner, took to Twitter to blast Ovechkin, calling him an "alibist" and a "liar" after he told the media on Friday that he was calling for an end to the conflict.
"What!? Not only an alibist, a chicken s---, but also a liar! Every adult in Europe knows well, that Putin is a mad killer and that Russia is waging an offensive war against the free country and its people," Hasek said. "The NHL must immediately suspend contracts for all Russian players!"
He continued: "Every athlete represents not only himself and his club, but also his country and its values and actions. That is a fact. If the NHL does not do so, it has indirect co-responsibility for the dead in Ukraine."
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The United States, Canada, and other European allies released a joint statement on additional sanctions being placed on Russia, which states that "selected" Russian banks are removed from the SWIFT financial system.
"We commit to ensuring that selected Russian banks are removed from the SWIFT messaging system. This will ensure that these banks are disconnected from the international financial system and harm their ability to operate globally," reads the joint statement from leaders of the European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, which was released on Saturday.
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Satellite images show Russian ground forces approaching Nova Kakhovka. Credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies
Satellite imagery from Maxar shows Russian ground forces approaching Nova Kakhovka, Ukraine.
Former CIA Station Chief in Moscow and Fox News contributor Dan Hoffman told Fox News that "Time is the enemy of Vladimir Putin," as the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth day.
Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a "special military operation" in Ukraine early Thursday morning local time, saying "our confrontation with these [Ukrainian] forces is inevitable."
Despite Russian forces moving closer to the center of Kyiv, Zelenskyy declined an offer from the United States to be evacuated from the city.
"The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride," Zelenskyy said, according to the Associated Press who spoke with a senior intelligence official.
YouTube has taken action against several of its Russian channels, including state-backed Russia Today, to prevent them from using the platform to generate revenue.
The company, as reported by Reuters, cited "extraordinary circumstances" in its reasoning and said it is "pausing a number of channels’ ability to monetize on YouTube, including several Russian channels affiliated with recent sanctions."
YouTube spokesperson Farshad Shadloo said content from the outlets impacted by the decision will also show up less frequently as recommendations, according to Reuters. He also stated that content from RT and other Russian channels would not be accessible in Ukraine due to a "government request."
The decision follows similar moves by Facebook and Twitter to prevent Russian state media from advertising and monetizing content on its platform.
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As official with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said on Saturday that nearly 116,000 have left Ukraine, and massive lines of people are waiting to enter Poland and Moldova.
In addition to those who have left the country, another 100,000 are currently displaced in Ukraine. The official says that the situation is “very fluid and fast-moving.”
If the situation continues to escalate, the agency forecasts that 4 million people could leave Ukraine.
Brigadier General Blaine Holt said a cyberattack is ongoing against the Kremlin, according to two unnamed sources.
Holt said that the attack is ongoing as the Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing, and in its third day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday.
The two spoke about the need for the international community to isolate Russia both diplomatically and financially, which includes excluding Russia from the SWIFT financial system, according to a readout of the call from a Downing Street spokeswoman.
Johnson also "He paid tribute to the incredible heroism and bravery of President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people," according to the readout, which also said that the two agreed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is being met with "a greater Ukrainian resistance than he calculated on."
According to the readout, Johnson and Zelenskyy also "expressed their mutual concern about the role Belarus is playing as a conduit for President Putin's violence."
Zelenskyy said in a tweet that the two also agreed on "further joint steps to counter the aggressor."
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby tweeted Saturday afternoon that Russian claims that the United States was involved in naval operations with Ukraine near the Zmiiny Island are false.
"We did not provide ISR or any other support," Kirby said. "Chalk this up to just one more lie by the Russian Ministry of Defense."
Abramovich issued a statement Saturday on Chelsea's website, saying he has "always viewed his role as a custodian of the Club" and said that handing over "stewardship" to trustees of Chelsea's charitable Foundation would keep the club's "best interests at heart." He did not make any mention of ownership or intentions to sell the club, but reports have claimed he is either looking to sell the club or cash in on a substantial $2 billion loan.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, the West responded with swift condemnation and severe sanctions. Abramovich has not yet been named by the United Kingdom on its list of sanctioned individuals.
If the sale occurred, Abramovich would want to get the value of his loan - $2 billion – rather than just the present value of the club, meaning it would rank as the biggest takeover not just in England but in Europe overall.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall to chair a Security Council meeting in Moscow, Russia, on Friday. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Parents of Russian conscripts who say they've lost communications with their loved ones are pleading with Kremlin officials for answers as to where family members have been sent amid concerns they have been forced to sign contracts to fight as part of President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, according to the report.
Olga Larkina, the director of Russia’s Committee of Soldiers’ Mothers, spoke to Russian investigative news outlet Meduza, describing how Russian conscripts – those fulfilling military enlistment requirements – had been pressured, or at times even forced to sign contracts to become soldiers for the Russian military.
"Mothers are telling us that their sons have been calling them and saying they’re being forced to sign contracts. We believe it’s wrong to force a conscript to become a contract soldier," Larkina said, according to the translated article. "The parents who have gotten in touch have told us their sons were just taken by military officers, stamped, and that’s it — now they’re contract soldiers."
Russian law is said to dictate that a conscript interested in signing a contract could do so after three months. The process to transfer a soldier from conscripted to contract service reportedly takes months in most cases, but officials are said to be skipping steps.
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Air raid sirens and explosions were heard in Kyiv at night following the third day of fighting with Russia, Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst reported.
Fox News Pentagon reporter Lucas Tomlinson similarly reported air raid sirens in the western Ukraine city of Lviv.
Ukrainian officials reported that Russia may deploy saboteurs throughout Kyiv to help advance its forces into the city center.
(Imagesat International)
An image released Saturday by Imagesat International -- an Israel-based satellite company -- shows vehicles backed up for miles as people in Ukraine try to flee the country for Poland.
Protesters hold placards and flags during a protest against Russia's attack on Ukraine in front of the Shibuya station in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday. (Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images)
Anti-war protests broke out in several big cities throughout the world, including Tokyo, London and Taipei, as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s attack, unleashed by President Vladimir Putin earlier this week, reached its third day on Saturday, when Kremlin forces forged ahead in their efforts to overtake the capital city of Kyiv. Hundreds of deaths have been reported so far as Ukrainian forces remain unrelenting in their efforts to protect their homeland, parts of which have already been destroyed.
From Tokyo to London to Taipei, Ukrainians living abroad and protesters have turned out on the streets to join anti-war rallies spreading around the world.
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Anti-war protests broke out in several big cities throughout the world, including Tokyo, London and Taipei, as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s attack, unleashed by President Vladimir Putin earlier this week, reached its third day on Saturday, when Kremlin forces forged ahead in their efforts to overtake the capital city of Kyiv. Hundreds of deaths have been reported so far as Ukrainian forces remain unrelenting in their efforts to protect their homeland, parts of which have already been destroyed.
From Tokyo to London to Taipei, Ukrainians living abroad and protesters have turned out on the streets to join anti-war rallies spreading around the world.
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An American independent journalist covering the war in Ukraine described witnessing a humanitarian crisis as he embarked on a 20-hour journey to get out of the country, finding himself with no other option as Russia invaded.
"It's a disaster," Manny Marotta told Fox News.
Thursday morning, Marotta "woke up to the sound of air raid sirens and the announcement on loudspeakers that bombing might commence soon." It was then that he and another foreign journalist began looking for ways out of the country.
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Finland’s ambassador to the U.S. boasted about his country’s strong military and said he didn’t see an "immediate threat" after a Russian official suggested military action if the Nordic nation were to join NATO.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Finland and Sweden would "face some military and political consequences" if they joined.
"We are not in a position that we will get scared because of one statement," Ambassador Mikko Hautala told Fox News. "We have one of the best armies in Europe."
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The International Criminal Court's prosecutor has put combatants and their commanders on notice that he is monitoring Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has jurisdiction to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Prosecutor Karim Khan said his office “may exercise its jurisdiction over and investigate any act of genocide, crime against humanity or war crime committed within the territory of Ukraine.” That's because Ukraine, while not a member state of the ICC, has accepted the court's jurisdiction.
In a warning that could apply to Russia's civilian and military leadership, Khan said that “any person who commits such crimes, including by ordering, inciting or contributing in another manner to the commission of these crimes may be liable to prosecution before the Court.”
He added: “It is imperative that all parties to the conflict respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
In dramatic footage shared by Katerina Manoff with Fox News Digital, Ukrainians record blasts ringing outside the capital of Kyiv on Friday.
The Russian effort to invade Ukraine appears to have been underfunded and under-equipped to handle the swift takeover that Russian President Vladimir Putin was hoping for.
Russia is "increasingly frustrated" by the lack of momentum in the invasion, particularly in the north of the country, a U.S. official said Saturday. Despite the months of planning and preparation, Russia has yet to achieve air superiority, and Ukraine retains command-and-control.
And a senior U.S. defense official told Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin that the Russian military is not moving or fighting at night: Most movement starts just before dawn and occurs during the day because they don’t have night vision and are not trained in night vision, which contributed to slower than expected progress.
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The websites of the Kremlin and Russian Ministry of Defense are currently down following reports of cyberattacks.
Ukrainian MP’s Liaison to the international community Pavel Unguryan issued a plea Saturday to establish a tribunal and prosecute Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes.
Unguryan, on behalf of the Movement Free Ukraine, criticized President Biden for issuing sanctions that are “nowhere near strong enough” and issued a number of demands.
“It is now the time to put far more damaging financial weapons into play; those which would instantly have a negative impact on the Russian military and economic machine,” he wrote.
Unguryan called for greater punishments, such as cutting Russia from the SWIFT banking system and expanding the list of individuals subject to personal sanctions, and introducing a “no-fly zone” over Ukraine.
Most notably, he urged for “a decisive decision to grant Ukraine the EU and NATO membership.”
Ukrainian mom Olena Gnes joins ‘Cavuto Live’ from a Kyiv bomb shelter and pleads for military intervention to prevent a ‘genocide’ in Ukraine.
Former Keystone pipeline worker Neal Crabtree joins ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ to provide insight into how the Ukraine-Russia war will impact gas prices for Americans.
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense is claiming Saturday that it has captured the commander of a Russian tank battalion.
In a Facebook post, it displayed an image purportedly showing the commander with his hands bound, while others showed personal documents allegedly belonging to him.
"His tank was hit by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, miraculously survived," it read. "Believe in the Armed Forces! Glory to Ukraine!"
Russian military activity in Ukraine. (Fox News)
The Russian Defense Ministry announced Saturday that its armed forces have been "given orders today to develop the offensive along all axes in line with the operation plan," according to reports.
"After statements by the Kyiv regime yesterday that it was ready for negotiations, combat activities along the key axes of the operation were halted," Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov was quoted as saying by Interfax.
"After the Ukrainian side rejected a negotiating process, all units were given orders today to develop the offensive along all axes in line with the operation plan," he added.
The development comes after a United Kingdom intelligence assessment determined that the "speed of the Russian advance has temporarily slowed likely as a result of acute logistical difficulties and strong Ukrainian resistance."
"The captures of Kyiv remains Russia's primary military objective," that assessment added.
The official said it is tens of thousands and wouldn't be more specific.
Putin had 150K assembled but not all were combat forces.
Mariusz Błaszczak, the Minister of National Defence of Poland, has tweeted that the "convoy with the ammunition that we hand over to Ukraine has already reached our neighbors.
"We support Ukrainians, we stand in solidarity and we firmly oppose Russian aggression," he added.
Retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, Ret. Gen. David Perkins and Ret. Brig. Gen. Don Bolduc discuss what it means for Putin as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues.
The U.S. sees signs that Russia is "increasingly frustrated" by a lack of momentum in the invasion of Ukraine, particularly in the north of the country, a U.S. defense official said Saturday.
Russia is meeting a "determined" Ukrainian defense that has "slowed them down," the official said.
The U.S. official said that Russia has yet to achieve air superiority.
European leaders have moved closer to cutting Russia off from the SWIFT banking system as Germany remains the sole holdout over implementing the extreme measure following the invasion of Ukraine.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine Thursday local time. World leaders and diplomats widely condemned the attack and promised strong sanctions in response.
Foreign ministers of the Baltic States and Poland wanted to cut Russia from SWIFT as part of the initial wave of sanctions, but Germany, Italy, Hungary and Cyprus resisted the move.
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A Turkish official has denied that his country has decided to close off Russian access to the Black Sea.
The official told Reuters that it has not yet “made a decision” to close the straits, not making clear whether the move is under consideration.
A U.S. defense official also said he could not confirm Turkey closing Russian access to Black Sea
A Kyiv high-rise apartment building was hit by a missile strike overnight as Russian troops continue to invade Ukraine. Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst reports on the latest in Kyiv.
University of Florida law student Volodymyr Boitchouk, whose brother and grandfather are still in Ukraine, explains why his family is prepared to fight, and die, for their country.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will ban the passage of Russian warships to the Black Sea, Zelenskyy announced Saturday.
Zelenskyy hailed the decision as “significant military and humanitarian support for Ukraine.”
“The people of Ukraine will never forget that!” Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter.
Russia had moved to block off part of the Black Sea in what it claimed was a “counter-terrorism operation” in Ukrainian waters.
UPDATE: A Turkish official has denied that his country has decided to close off Russian access to the Black Sea. A U.S. defense official also said he could not confirm Turkey closing Russian access to Black Sea.
A family sits in the Kyiv subway, using it as a bomb shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday. (AP/Emilio Morenatti)
As Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vows to remain in his country and continue the fight in Kyiv and other areas against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, Fox News Digital is receiving passionate pleas from faith leaders across the U.S. for the aggression to stop and for peace to reign.
Santiago "Jimmy" Mellado, CEO and president of Compassion International based in Colorado Springs, Colo., told Fox News Digital in an emailed comment late Friday, "Every time there is suffering, babies and children pay the highest price."
Compassion International is a Christian child development organization that "works to release children from poverty in Jesus' name," the group says in its mission statements.
Santiago also told Fox News Digital, "With another conflict now tragically added to the active wars in our world, I invite us all to pray for the children and families caught in the middle."
Click here for more from Fox News.
Fox News correspondent Steve Harrigan reports from Kyiv, Ukraine, where small arms battles took place overnight.
Firefighters work by a damaged apartment building in Kyiv that was hit by a recent shelling on Saturday.
Photos and videos of Ukraine's capital show an ongoing effort by Russian military forces to edge toward Kyiv and take control of the city while its residents stand ready to defend their democracy.
Residents of Kyiv were encouraged to shelter underground in the city's train tunnels as explosions and street fighting took place overnight into Saturday morning, marking the third day of fighting as Russia attempts to take control of the Ukrainian government.
"The fights are ongoing in many cities and districts of our country, but we know that we are defending our county, land, future of our children. Kyiv and the key towns around our capital are being controlled by our army," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a Saturday address.
Zelensky added that Russia "used all their force" against Ukraine on Friday into Saturday morning, including "missiles, jet fighters, drones, artillery, armored equipment, saboteurs, paratroopers."
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Ukraine Member of Parliament Kira Rudik said multiple Russian attempts to break Kyiv's defense were stopped Saturday, and she promised "more surprises" for Russian President Vladimir Putin's army.
Rudik also said U.S. sanctions on Russia came "very, very late."
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to hold a call with the White House national security team Saturday at 10 a.m. ET.
Biden will participate from his home in Wilmington, Delaware, after he departed the White House Friday.
Late Friday, Biden authorized $350 million more in U.S. defense aid to Ukraine.
Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman and the head of the United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev speaks, in Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday. (Yekaterina Shtukina, Sputnik, Government Pool Photo via AP)
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev posted on social media Saturday that "we don't especially need diplomatic relations... It's time to padlock the embassies and continue contacts looking at each other through binoculars and gun sights," according to Reuters.
"The sanctions are being imposed for one simple reason -- political impotence arising from their [the West's] inability to change Russia's course," Medvedev reportedly wrote on his VK network page, apparently shrugging off the economic measures that have been imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Medvedev also said the sanctions give the Kremlin a good reason to pull out of dialogue on nuclear stability and that Russia's suspension from the Council of Europe human rights watchdog gives it an opportunity to restore the death penalty for criminals, Reuters reports.
A Polish border guard assists refugees from Ukraine as they arrive to Poland at the Korczowa border crossing on Saturday. (AP/Czarek Sokolowski)
Hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled Ukraine for neighboring European countries as the third day of Russia’s full-scale invasion intensifies with fighting in the capital Kyiv.
The conflict has already driven nearly 120,000 Ukrainians from their homes and across its borders to Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, the United Nations refugee agency said Saturday.
"Almost 116,000 have crossed international borders as of right now. This may go up, it’s changing every minute," said Shabia Mantoo, the spokeswoman of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. "It’s very fluid and changing by the hour."
Mantoo added that some refugees have even fled into Belarus, where some Russian troops had were stationed before entering Ukraine days earlier.
The U.N. estimates that up to 4 million people could flee Ukraine if the fighting with Russian forces escalates.
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Saturday that he has "authorized, pursuant to a delegation by the President, an unprecedented third Presidential Drawdown of up to $350 million for immediate support to Ukraine’s defense."
"This brings the total security assistance the United States has committed to Ukraine over the past year to more than $1 billion," he added in a statement.
"This package will include further lethal defensive assistance to help Ukraine address the armored, airborne, and other threats it is now facing," Blinken continued. "It is another clear signal that the United States stands with the people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereign, courageous, and proud nation."
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A Los Angeles Times reporter has captured videos showing the insides of an apartment building in Kyiv that was struck by a rocket Saturday morning.
The center of Moscow is full of police and vans in anticipation of protests that may well not happen today as people get stopped for even trying to put up a piece of paper with an anti-war message in some cases, Fox News’ Amy Kellogg reports.
Russia’s state media watchdog has made a list of independent news organizations and has forbidden them from using the words “war” and “invasion” in their coverage.
Western coverage of the war is also being heavily criticized. One show ran with lots of video of Ukrainians said to have handed over their arms and surrendered. They were shown unharmed, fed, given water and being put on clean buses home to their families.
According to Russian TV, there are also no Russian saboteurs in Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video to social media on Saturday morning showing himself walking around the streets of Kyiv after a night of artillery fire in different parts of the city, telling the nation "I'm here." (Credit: President of Ukraine)
Kyiv remains under Ukrainian control as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refuses to leave his country on the third day of Russia’s invasion.
Russia started its advance into the capital city Friday night but appeared to make limited progress until early Saturday morning local time when gunfire could be heard in the city center. Government officials urged people to seek shelter and avoid going near windows or out onto balconies.
A British intelligence report Saturday claimed the bulk of Russian forces are now 18.5 miles from the capital city and that Russia has failed to gain control of the airspace over Ukraine, greatly reducing the Russian Air Force’s impact and potentially leveling the fight.
"Russian casualties are likely to be heavy and greater than anticipated or acknowledged by the Kremlin," the report from the British Ministry of Defense said.
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Posts from Russian state media outlets will be flagged as well.
Estonia's prime minister announced Saturday that the country is banning Russian airlines from operating within its airspace.
"We invite all European Union countries to do the same," Kaja Kallas said in a tweet. "There is no place for planes of the aggressor state in democratic skies."
Russia's military activity in Ukraine. (Fox News)
Ukraine’s Infrastructure Ministry has announced that a Russian missile was shot down before dawn Saturday as it headed for the dam of the sprawling water reservoir that serves Kyiv.
“If the dam is destroyed, the flooding will cause catastrophic casualties and losses - including flooding of residential areas of Kyiv and its suburbs,” the ministry said.
The mayor of a city south of the Ukrainian capital also said the country’s military has fended off a Russian attempt to take control of a military air base.
Natalia Balansynovych, the mayor of Vasylkiv, about 25 miles south of Kyiv, said Russian airborne forces landed near the city overnight and tried to seize the base. She said fierce fighting also raged on Vasylkiv’s central street.
She added that Ukrainian forces repelled the Russian attacks, and that the situation is now calm. Balansynovych said there were heavy casualties, but didn’t give any numbers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A toy amongst the debris near an apartment building damaged following a rocket attack, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Saturday. (AP/Emilio Morenatti)
Ukraine's Health Minister Viktor Lyashko said Saturday that three children are among the 198 killed so far in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It was not immediately clear whether that number includes casualties from Ukraine's armed forces fighting the Russian army.
The conflict also has left 1,115 people -- 33 of which are children -- wounded, the Associated Press reported, citing Lyashko.
A Ukrainian soldier investigates debris of a burnt military truck in a street in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Saturday. (AP/Efrem Lukatsky)
Kyiv's metro system announced Saturday that it is shutting down services in order to become a shelter for residents of Ukraine's capital.
"Warning! The subway went into shelter. There will be no transportation," read a tweet from Kyiv Metro.
The system has three lines and 52 stations, with the centrally-located Arsenalna station being around 344 feet underground -- making it one of the deepest in the world.
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to the nation via his smartphone in the center of Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday turned down an offer from the U.S. to help him evacuate the country.
“The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride,” the 44-year-old leader said, according to a senior American intelligence official with direct knowledge of the conversation.
Zelenskyy has vowed to stay in Kyiv even though he believes he is Russia's "target number one." Saturday morning he filmed himself on his phone on the streets of Kyiv, saying "I am here. We will be defending our country, because our strength is in our truth."
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi told him in a call that he supports ousting Russian President Vladimir Putin from the SWIFT banking system.
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Cyprus had confirmed it wouldn't block a decision to ban Russia from SWIFT.
The U.S. and its allies are considering the step in a further round of sanctions.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday he had spoken to European Union President Ursula von der Leyen about "effective assistance" for the besieged country.
"Ukraine is fighting the invader with weapons in hands, defending its freedom and European future," he tweeted. "Discussed with @vonderleyen effective assistance to our country from EU in this heroic struggle. I believe that the #EU also chooses Ukraine."
Kira Rudik, a member of Ukraine's parliament and the leader of the Voice party, said she is ready to fight for her country Friday as Russian troops closed in on the capital.
"I learn to use #Kalashnikov [rifle] and prepare to bear arms," she tweeted. "It sounds surreal as just a few days ago it would never come to my mind. Our #women will protect our soil the same way as our #men. Go #Ukraine!"
She said if someone would have asked her about using a gun to defend herself three days ago, "I would tell you like 'definite no' and we would have an argument or something like that. And then I had to wake up at 5 a.m. because there were attacks ... and it was the first siren and first bomb shelter in my life." She told MSNBC she had to then vote for martial law in her country and after that lawmakers asked for and received guns from the military.
She said it's hard to believe what has happened in her country, but at some point "you just say like 'I'm not going anywhere."
She also praised Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for refusing to leave Ukraine.
“He is acting in Ukraine’s best interests. He didn’t flee. He isn’t scared." She joked that since she's from the opposition party, "I normally criticize the hell out of him.”
"There was always a question what would be the force that would stop #Putin," she tweeted later. "We thought it would be some great #unity of great #countries, and it will take ages to put together. But it was us. It was always us from the very beginning. So proud of #Ukrainian army and people!"
After filming himself in Kyiv Saturday morning following Russian troops storming the capital overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted that it's a "crucial" moment to decide "once and for all" on whether Ukraine can join the European Union.
He said he had discussed "further effective assistance and the heroic struggle of Ukrainians for their free future" with Charles Michel, president of the European Council.
Liquor stores across the U.S. and Canada have started throwing out their stocks of Russian vodka in protest of President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, according to reports.
In Ontario, Canada, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy directed the provincial Liquor Control Board to have stores remove Russian vodka and other alcoholic products, according to the Canadian Press.
"Ontario joins Canada's allies in condemning the Russian government's act of aggression against the Ukrainian people and we strongly support the federal government's efforts to sanction the Russian government," Bethlenfalvy said. "We will continue to be there for the Ukrainian people during this extremely difficult time."
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A high-rise apartment building in Kyiv was hit by a missile, Ukraine's government said Saturday. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said Saturday morning a high-rise apartment building in Kyiv was hit during overnight fighting with Russian troops by a missile and around 80 residents were evacuated.
Two floors of apartment were gutted by the fire.
At least six civilians were injured in the attack, according to a rescue worker.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sviatoslav Yurash tells Laura Ingraham that Kyiv is a city of millions of people — and they are fighting back.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video to social media on Saturday morning showing himself walking around the streets of Kyiv after a night of artillery fire in different parts of the city, telling the nation "I'm here."
Zelenskyy said in a short video address to Ukrainians, "We will defend our country," and said that there's a lot of false information online.
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“The CCP’s repugnant support of Putin’s aggression is the clearest sign yet that the free world is fighting a new axis of tyrants," Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul said in a statement late Friday. "Instead of working to limit the bloodshed of innocent Ukrainians, General Secretary Xi Jinping stood shoulder to shoulder with Putin at the Olympics to unite against democracies and rebuffed attempts at peaceful solutions. It’s clear Xi and Putin are choosing violence instead of reason and cannot be trusted. Cooperating with thugs in supposed areas of mutual interest is not realistic and has no place in a serious U.S. policy towards China."
McCaul continued, "President Reagan was correct that “freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction” and the United States and our allies and partners must decide our place in history."
"Do not believe in fake information," Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on social media after the sun came up in Kyiv on Saturday morning. "I am here. We will be defending our country, because our strength is in our truth."
"We will be defending our country," he added.
Zelenskyy's post comes after loud explosions and intense gunfights broke out in Kyiv overnight as Russian troops reportedly entered the capital.
"A new day on the diplomatic frontline began with a conversation with @EmmanuelMacron," Zelenskyy added in a Twitter post. "Weapons and equipment from our partners are on the way to Ukraine. The anti-war coalition is working!"
Click here for Fox News’ earlier coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Kyiv officials are warning residents that street fighting is underway against Russian forces, and they are urging people to seek shelter.
The warning issued Saturday advised residents to remain in shelters, to avoid going near windows or on balconies, and to take precautions against being hit by debris or bullets.
"By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby delegate to the Secretary of State the following authorities, subject to fulfilling the requirements of section 614(a)(3) and section 652 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), in order to provide immediate military assistance to Ukraine," Biden announced on the White House website late Friday night.
This authorizes $350 million to provide immediate military assistance to Ukraine, in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, and to make the determinations required under such section to direct such a drawdown.
Earlier in the day, the White House asked Congress for $6.4 billion for humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and NATO Allies, as well as efforts to counter Russia’s cyber-attacks and misinformation in the region.
"As the President and bipartisan members of Congress have made clear, the United States is committed to supporting the Ukrainian people as they defend their country and democracy," an OMB official told Fox News.
"In a recent conversation with lawmakers, the Administration identified the need for additional U.S. humanitarian, security, and economic assistance to Ukraine and Central European partners due to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion.
The Administration will continue to closely coordinate with our European allies and partners to assess on-the-ground needs, and remain in close touch with Congress as these needs evolve.”
Fox has been told that some of the money could be stuffed into the pending omnibus spending bill but that most of the funds would fall into President Biden's budget.
Fox News' Chad Pergram contributed to this report
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