Every week into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a checkpoint stands in Independence Square within the capital metropolis, Kyiv.
Anastasia Vlasova/Getty Images
This story is a part of War in Ukraine, CNET’s protection of occasions there and of the broader results on the world.
What’s taking place
Ukraine’s army and residents proceed to withstand the Russian invasion. As Russia’s assaults escalate, casualties develop and the refugee state of affairs turns into a serious disaster.
Why it issues
Leaders within the US and Europe have imposed extreme financial sanctions on Russia, however that could be simply the beginning in a brand new period of hostility between the West and Moscow.
Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, in a transfer Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy known as a “struggle towards the entire of Europe.” International leaders have joined US President Joe Biden in condemning the “brutal assault.” The US, EU and UK have imposed financial sanctions on Russia, together with ones aimed instantly at Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Tensions had been rising for months and have been marked by indignant speeches from Putin, in addition to a buildup of Russian forces alongside Ukraine’s borders. Ukraine, which had been a part of the Soviet Union for a lot of the twentieth century, declared its independence in 1991. Since then, the nation has been establishing nearer ties with Western Europe and the US.
Here is breaking information on the struggle.
Read extra: Over 1 Million Refugees Have Fled Ukraine. Here’s How to Help
Friday, March 4
Amazon amps up AWS safety in Ukraine
Amazon Web Services is working with Ukrainian prospects and companions to maintain their apps safe, together with serving to prospects migrate any on-premises infrastructure into AWS to forestall bodily or cyberattacks from disrupting companies, and offering malware intelligence and safety instruments.
“For a number of weeks, we’ve been partnering intently with Ukrainian IT organizations to fend off assaults and dealing with organizations in Ukraine, and all over the world, to share real-time, related intelligence,” AWS mentioned late Friday. “As this exercise has ramped up, our groups and applied sciences detected the threats, realized the patterns and positioned remediation instruments instantly into the fingers of consumers.”
Bloomberg, CNN, BBC, CBS cease journalists reporting in Russia
With Putin on Friday enacting a brand new legislation that punishes individuals who unfold “false info” in regards to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, information organizations together with the BBC, CNN, CBS and Bloomberg have stopped their journalists from reporting inside Russia. The legislation carries a sentence of as much as 15 years in jail.
“The change to the prison code, which appears designed to show any impartial reporter right into a prison purely by affiliation, makes it not possible to proceed any semblance of regular journalism contained in the nation,” mentioned Bloomberg’s editor-in-chief, John Micklethwait.
TikTok to label Russian state-controlled content material
TikTok mentioned Friday that it will begin warning viewers when movies are posted by Russian state-controlled media accounts. The labels might be added within the coming days to the underside of movies, just like different TikTok banners.
Russia blocks Facebook
The Russian authorities mentioned it is going to block entry to Facebook within the nation in response to the social community limiting accounts of some state-controlled media. The transfer escalates a choice by Russia’s communications regulator on Feb. 25 to partially prohibit entry to Facebook.
In a press release posted to Twitter, Facebook government Nick Clegg mentioned the social community would work to revive entry.
“Soon hundreds of thousands of atypical Russians will discover themselves minimize off from dependable info, disadvantaged of their on a regular basis methods of connecting with household and associates and silenced from talking out,” Clegg mentioned. “We will proceed to do all the pieces we will to revive our companies so they continue to be accessible to individuals to securely and securely categorical themselves and set up for motion.”
Microsoft stops gross sales in Russia
Microsoft suspended gross sales of its services and products in Russia, the corporate mentioned in a weblog put up Friday.
“We proceed to work proactively to assist cybersecurity officers in Ukraine defend towards Russian assaults, together with most just lately a cyberattack towards a serious Ukrainian broadcaster,” firm President Brad Smith wrote.
Google pauses all promoting in Russia
Google suspended promoting on search, YouTube and show advertising and marketing in Russia. It adopted Russian web watchdog Roskomnadzor accusing the Google-owned YouTube of operating campaigns to misinform Russians in regards to the invasion.
Ukraine’s largest nuclear plant seized by Russian forces
Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear energy plant, the biggest in Europe, was seized by Russian forces, based on Ukraine’s state nuclear regulator.
A fireplace broke out in a close-by coaching constructing amid the assault, however did not have an effect on the reactor buildings. There are no indicators of elevated radiation ranges across the plant, based on the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The US Embassy in Ukraine known as the assault on the nuclear energy plant a “struggle crime.”
Thursday, March 3
Airbnb suspends operations in Russia and Belarus
Airbnb is halting all operations in Russia and Belarus, the home-sharing firm’s CEO and co-founder, Brian Chesky, mentioned in a tweet Thursday.
It’ll block calendars from accepting new bookings in these international locations till additional discover, along with limiting these customers from making new reservations as company, the corporate informed CNBC.
Airbnb is suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus
— Brian Chesky 🇺🇦 (@bchesky) March 4, 2022
Intel halts shipments to Russia
Intel has suspended all shipments to its prospects in Russia and Belarus, it introduced Thursday.
“We will proceed to face with the individuals of Ukraine and the worldwide group in calling for an instantaneous finish to this struggle and a swift return to peace,” Intel mentioned in a press release. The Intel Foundation has raised greater than $1.2 million for reduction via an worker donation and matching marketing campaign.
Russia blocks entry to app shops, social media, Western information websites
Russia has blocked entry to a number of huge app shops and Western information organizations comparable to BBC and Deutsche Welle, in addition to social media websites together with Facebook and Twitter, based on Der Spiegel reporter Mathieu von Rohr, who tweeted the information Thursday.
US declares extra sanctions on Russian oligarchs
The US mentioned it is sanctioning an expanded record of Russian elites and their relations which have supported Russian President Vladimir Putin. The sanctions will freeze the belongings of the people and goal their “yachts, luxurious residences, cash, and different ill-gotten features,” mentioned the White House.
The Department of State can also be imposing visa restrictions on 19 Russian oligarchs in addition to 47 relations and shut associates.
Russia, Ukraine comply with ‘humanitarian corridors’ to permit civilians to evacuate
After a second spherical of talks on Thursday, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations agreed to restricted cease-fires in some native areas of Ukraine to create “humanitarian corridors” that will allow civilians trapped by the struggle to flee, reported The Washington Post. The cease-fires will reportedly solely be in place alongside evacuation corridors and for restricted instances.
“The foremost problem that was resolved immediately is the problem of saving individuals, civilians, who discovered themselves within the zone of army clashes,” Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky mentioned, based on the Post.
The delegations have reportedly agreed to convene a 3rd assembly.
Wednesday, March 2
BMW, Ford, GM pull again from Russia
Automakers together with BMW, Ford and GM have introduced plans to cut back their operations in Russia. BMW mentioned Wednesday it is going to cease native manufacturing in Kaliningrad and halt exports to Russia. Ford is suspending its operations in Russia “efficient instantly, till additional discover.”
They comply with GM on Monday saying it would droop enterprise in Russia, whereas Honda has additionally reportedly suspended Russian exports. Mazda additionally plans to.
Tesla superchargers made free for these fleeing Ukraine
Electric car house owners leaving Ukraine can use Tesla superchargers at no cost in Trzebownisko, Poland; Košice, Slovakia; Miskolc, Hungary; and Debrecen, Hungary, a report Wednesday mentioned. There are round 30,000 EVs in Ukraine, based on the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine and Russia to enter second spherical of talks
Delegations from Ukraine and Russia are planning to fulfill for his or her second spherical of talks on Wednesday, based on The New York Times, citing Zelenskyy adviser Oleksiy Arestovych.
EU bans Russian state-run information businesses in Europe
The European Union on Wednesday prohibited state-controlled information shops Russia Today and Sputnik from broadcasting and publishing inside Europe.
“We are witnessing huge propaganda and disinformation over this outrageous assault on a free and impartial nation,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned in a press release.” We won’t let Kremlin apologists pour their poisonous lies justifying Putin’s struggle or sow the seeds of division in our Union.”
Read extra: Russia’s Ukraine War Raises Specter of an Online Splinternet
Tuesday, March 1
Biden declares ban on Russian plane in US airspace
US President Joe Biden introduced throughout his first State of the Union handle that Russian plane can be prohibited from getting into US airspace in an effort to extend the strain on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine. The US joins Canada and the European Union in banning plane owned or registered by Russians from flying throughout its borders.
“Tonight, I’m asserting that we’ll be a part of our allies in closing off American air house to all Russian flights, additional isolating Russia and including extra squeeze on their economic system,” the president mentioned.
The ban will reportedly be enforced from 6 p.m. PT on Wednesday.
Google provides refugee assets
Google on Tuesday added an SOS alert on Search throughout Ukraine to level individuals trying to find evacuation info to UN assets for refugees and asylum seekers. The search big mentioned it is also upping its account safety protections and eradicating misinformation, whereas Google Pay “might change into unavailable in sure international locations.”
Snapchat halts advertisements throughout Russia and Ukraine
Snapchat stopped all promoting operating in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus on Tuesday, in addition to halting promoting gross sales to Russian and Belarusian entities.
“We don’t settle for income from Russian state-owned entities,” Snap mentioned, however the Snapchat app stays reside in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus as a result of Snap mentioned it is “an necessary communications device for household and associates.”
Biden and Zelenskyy focus on sanctions, protection
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden spoke once more Tuesday. “Just had a dialog with @POTUS. The American management on anti-Russian sanctions and protection help to Ukraine was mentioned,” Zelenskyy tweeted. “We should cease the aggressor as quickly as doable. Thank you in your help!”
Apple stops promoting merchandise in Russia
Apple halted on-line transactions in Russia and exports to its Russian companions, along with together with limiting Apple Pay transactions within the nation, it mentioned Tuesday. The firm additionally disabled some options of Apple Maps in Ukraine to guard civilians.
“We are deeply involved in regards to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand with all the people who find themselves struggling on account of the violence,” it mentioned in an e-mailed assertion. “We are supporting humanitarian efforts, offering support for the unfolding refugee disaster, and doing all we will to help our groups within the area.”
DirecTV removes RT America programming
Satellite TV supplier DirecTV will not carry RT America, certainly one of Russia’s state-controlled worldwide tv networks, within the US, DirecTV mentioned Tuesday.
“We are accelerating this yr’s contract expiration timeline and can not provide their programming efficient instantly,” DirecTV mentioned in a press release. “We felt it crucial to maneuver the timeline up from mid-year following the devastating current occasions in Ukraine.”
Facebook is demoting Russian state media content material
Meta mentioned Tuesday that it is demoting content material shared on Facebook and Instagram by Russian state-controlled media shops. Meta can also be making the content material tougher to search out and labeling it on each platforms. “This hyperlink is from a writer Facebook believes could also be partially or wholly beneath the editorial management of the Russian authorities,” the label says.
Ukrainian president requires his nation to be admitted into EU
Zelenskyy implored lawmakers to grant European Union membership to Ukraine, in an emotional video convention handle to the European Parliament.
“The EU might be a lot stronger with us. We have proven our energy and that we’re equals,” he mentioned, as beforehand reported by the BBC. “On your aspect, you’ll be able to show to us that you’re by our aspect, that you’ll not surrender on us.”
YouTube blocks Russian state media channels
YouTube blocked channels related to Russian state-controlled media shops RT and Sputnik, dad or mum firm Google mentioned.
“It’ll take time for our methods to totally ramp up,” Google’s European department mentioned in a tweet. “Our groups proceed to watch the state of affairs across the clock to take swift motion.”
Monday, Feb. 28
Facebook to limit some Russian state media throughout the EU
Meta, the dad or mum firm of Facebook, will restrict entry to RT and Sputnik throughout the European Union.
“We have obtained requests from quite a lot of Governments and the EU to take additional steps in relation to Russian state managed media. Given the distinctive nature of the present state of affairs, we might be limiting entry to RT and Sputnik throughout the EU right now,” mentioned Nick Clegg, who oversees international affairs at Meta, in a tweet.
Clegg did not specify when these new restrictions would begin. Facebook beforehand restricted entry to a number of accounts, together with from Russian state-controlled media, in Ukraine after a request from the federal government there.
Twitter to label tweets that hyperlink to Russian state media
Twitter on Monday started including labels to tweets that shared hyperlinks to Russian state-backed media websites and can also be taking steps to cut back their unfold on the social community. The label reads “This Tweet hyperlinks to a Russia state-affiliated media web site” and hyperlinks to a Twitter assist middle web page on authorities and state-affiliated media accounts.
“Since the invasion, we have seen greater than 45,000 Tweets a day sharing hyperlinks to Russian state-affiliated media shops,” mentioned Yoel Roth, Twitter’s head of web site integrity, in a sequence of tweets explaining the corporate’s choice. “While we have labeled the accounts of lots of of worldwide state media shops for years, Tweets sharing their content material lacked seen context.”
Twitter mentioned it might roll out the labels to different state-affiliated media shops within the coming weeks.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations finish preliminary talks
Ukraine and Russia despatched delegations to neighboring Belarus to enter the primary talks for the reason that Russian invasion started, the Washington Post and New York Times reported. The talks reportedly lasted virtually 5 hours and extra are anticipated within the coming days.
The delegations “recognized quite a lot of precedence matters on which particular options have been outlined,” mentioned Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, based on the Washington Post. No particular decision was reached and each side will reportedly return to their international locations for consultations.
Sunday, Feb. 27
Google Maps reside site visitors knowledge briefly disabled in Ukraine
Google Maps instruments providing reside details about site visitors circumstances and exercise in shops and eating places have been briefly disabled in Ukraine, the search big confirmed to CNET by way of e mail.
The choice to disable these options was apparently made to guard native customers’ security after session with Ukrainian regional authorities, as beforehand reported by Reuters.
Meta restricts some Russian accounts in Ukraine
The big social community mentioned it had restricted entry to some accounts in Ukraine, together with some belonging to Russian state media organizations. Meta took the transfer on the request of the Ukrainian authorities. It’s additionally contemplating comparable requests from different international locations.
The firm had beforehand established a middle staffed with native Russian and Ukrainian audio system to watch the platform. It additionally expanded its fact-checking functionality and prevented Russian state media accounts from operating advertisements, successfully demonetizing them.
Elon Musk prompts Starlink in Ukraine amid web disruption
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk mentioned Saturday that the corporate’s Starlink satellite tv for pc web service is energetic in Ukraine and that extra terminals are being despatched to the nation as invading Russian troops disrupt web entry. Musk’s actions have been in response to a plea from a senior Ukrainian authorities official for him to supply extra Starlink stations to the nation. The satellite-based service gives an alternative choice to land-based methods that may usually be troublesome to deploy in distant areas or weak to interruption by army motion or pure catastrophe.
Saturday, Feb. 26
US, allies to expel some Russian banks from SWIFT funds system
Significantly ramping up sanctions, the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the European Commission mentioned Saturday that they’ve dedicated to “guaranteeing that chosen Russian banks are eliminated” from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication messaging system. Millions of economic messages and cash switch orders are despatched over SWIFT by banks worldwide, together with the US Federal Reserve System, the Bank of England and the European Central Bank. The allies mentioned the transfer will be sure that the affected Russian banks “are disconnected from the worldwide monetary system,” harming “their skill to function globally.”
Social media websites tamp down on advertisements
Google-owned YouTube reportedly prohibited Russian state-owned media outlet RT and different Russian channels from creating wealth off of advertisements on the video web site. Facebook had made an identical transfer on Friday, banning Russian state media from operating advertisements or monetizing on its platform. It adopted up Saturday with a weblog put up in regards to the invasion-related steps it is taking, together with increasing its third-party fact-checking capability in Russian and Ukrainian.
Twitter, in the meantime, had mentioned Friday that it was “briefly pausing commercials in Ukraine and Russia to make sure crucial public security info is elevated and advertisements do not detract from it.” On Saturday, it mentioned “we conscious that Twitter is being restricted for some individuals in Russia and are working to maintain our service secure and accessible.”
Russian advance slows
A Pentagon official mentioned Russian forces have been “more and more annoyed by their lack of momentum,” The New York Times reported Saturday, as outgunned Ukrainian forces held on to the capital, Kyiv, in a single day amid what quite a lot of information shops characterised as intense road preventing.
Britain’s ministry of protection cited “robust Ukrainian resistance” and logistical troubles because the causes of the slowdown, the Times mentioned, whereas the Kremlin asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered a pause Friday to permit for doable negotiations with Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continued his requires the nation to “stand agency” as Russian forces push in from the north, from Crimea within the south and from the east via Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk and Sumy.
Friday, Feb. 25
Meta halts Russian state media advertisements
The Facebook proprietor mentioned late Friday it was “prohibiting Russian state media from operating advertisements or monetizing on our platform anyplace on the earth.”
The transfer adopted a partial block on entry to Facebook in Russia after the nation’s communications regulator claimed the social community had censored some Russian media.
US and EU personally sanction Putin
The European Union and the United States agreed to personally sanction Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday.
“Following a phone name dialog President Biden held with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and in alignment with the choice by our European allies, the United States will be a part of them in sanctioning President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov and members of the Russian nationwide safety group,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki mentioned throughout a press briefing Friday afternoon.
Psaki added that the secretary of the Treasury may also impose “full blocking sanctions on the Russian Direct Investment Fund — a state owned monetary entity that features as a sovereign wealth fund, which is meant to draw capital into the Russian economic system in high-growth sectors.”
Russian forces attain Kyiv
Russian troops reportedly reached Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, early Friday morning. CBS News reported explosions and gunfire within the metropolis.
Zelenskyy posted a video of himself and different authorities officers. He mentioned they have not fled town and are defending Ukraine.
Zelenskyy talks with Biden
Ukraine’s president mentioned he spoke with Biden on Friday, tweeting that they mentioned “strengthening sanctions, concrete protection help and an anti-war coalition.”
Earlier Friday, a Kremlin spokesperson reportedly mentioned Putin was keen to barter with Ukraine, however later feedback by the Russian chief forged doubt on peace talks, based on The New York Times.
Thursday, Feb. 24
Ukraine dying toll reaches 137
At least 137 individuals have been killed on the primary day of Russia’s assault, Zelenskyy mentioned.
“Peaceful Ukrainian cities are beneath strikes,” Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter, calling the Russian army actions “a full-scale invasion.”
“This is a struggle of aggression,” Kuleba mentioned.
Russia seizes Chernobyl
Russian forces took management of the Chernobyl nuclear energy web site by Thursday afternoon, based on the Associated Press.
“This is a declaration of struggle towards the entire of Europe,” Zelenskyy mentioned on Twitter.
More sanctions hit Russia
Biden gave an handle later Thursday, saying the US would minimize off Russian banks and cease Russia’s skill to finance and construct its army.
“Putin’s aggression towards Ukraine will find yourself costing Russia dearly economically and strategically,” Biden mentioned.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson additionally mentioned Thursday that Russian banks would face a full asset freeze, and he banned Russia’s nationwide airline, Aeroflot, from touchdown within the UK. Britain prolonged sanctions to Belarus for helping within the Russian invasion.
Biden, G7 condemn Russia
Following a gathering Thursday, the leaders of the Group of Seven nations — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US — issued a joint assertion condemning Russia.
“President Putin has chosen a premeditated struggle that may deliver a catastrophic lack of life and human struggling,” Biden mentioned in a press release. “Russia alone is accountable for the dying and destruction this assault will deliver.”
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg mentioned Russia’s actions are “an act of aggression towards a sovereign, impartial and peaceable nation.” He added, “it is a deliberate, cold-blooded and long-planned invasion.”
Russia invades Ukraine
Russia invaded Ukraine at round 4:30 a.m. native time Thursday, with Russian forces launching assaults from the nation’s jap border with Ukraine, from the north in Belarus and from the south in Crimea.
Zelenskyy declared martial legislation in Ukraine.
Putin repeated discredited claims of violence towards ethnic Russians in Ukraine to justify the invasion.
Countries in Central Europe, together with Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, ready to obtain an inflow of refugees.
Wednesday, Feb. 23
Zelenskyy appeals for peace
Zelenskyy made a plea for peace Wednesday in a last-minute effort to keep away from struggle.
“The individuals of Ukraine and the federal government of Ukraine need peace,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “But if we come beneath assault, if we face an try to remove our nation, our freedom, our lives and lives of our youngsters, we’ll defend ourselves. When you assault us, you will note our faces, not our backs.”
Ukrainian banks and authorities hit by suspected cyberattack
Multiple Ukrainian authorities web sites went offline Feb. 23 as the results of a mass distributed denial of service assault, based on the top of the Eastern European nation’s Ministry of Digital Transformation. Some banking web sites have been down as nicely, Mykhailo Fedorov mentioned on Telegram.
DDoS assaults cripple websites by overwhelming them with a flood of requests to serve up net pages.
Tuesday, Feb. 22
First sanctions
The European Union on Tuesday agreed to a package deal of sanctions towards Russia, focusing on banks that fund the nation’s army operations and banning commerce between the EU and the 2 breakaway areas in jap Ukraine, whereas Germany halted approval of the Nord Stream 2, a pure fuel pipeline operating from Russia to Germany.
Biden on Tuesday mentioned the US will present defensive help to Ukraine and reinforce NATO allies. The Pentagon put 8,500 US troops on excessive alert to bolster NATO’s response power.
Monday, Feb. 21
Putin acknowledges breakaway areas as impartial
Putin on Feb. 21 acknowledged two Moscow-backed areas in jap Ukraine — Donetsk and Luhansk — as impartial entities and ordered the deployment of Russian forces to “maintain the peace.” In a prolonged televised handle about his choice, Putin additionally aired historic grievances and made baseless claims of Ukrainian aggression, as reported by The New York Times.
Friday, Feb. 18
US blames Russia for cyberattacks
On Feb. 18, US officers mentioned they imagine Russia was accountable for cyberattacks towards Ukraine’s banks and army earlier this month. They have been the newest in a string of digital incursions that’ve been blamed on Russia, together with assaults that defaced authorities web sites and planted damaging malware on Ukrainian pc networks.
“This current spate of cyberattacks in Ukraine are in line with what a Russian effort would seem like, and laying the groundwork for extra disruptive cyberattacks accompanying a possible additional invasion of Ukraine sovereign territory,” mentioned Anne Neuberger, deputy nationwide safety adviser, throughout a briefing on the White House.
Monday, Jan. 10
US pushes again on Russia’s safety calls for
On Jan. 10, US and Russian officers met for strategic stability talks in Geneva. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman mentioned each international locations shared considerations, however the US was agency that it might “not enable anybody to slam closed NATO’s open door coverage.”
The assembly got here after the US and NATO in December rejected a Russian proposal that known as for “a Cold War-like safety association,” based on The New York Times, together with calls for for “ironclad” ensures that Ukraine and Georgia by no means change into members of NATO.
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a army alliance amongst two international locations in North America and 28 in Europe. The admission of both Ukraine or Georgia would enhance NATO’s presence alongside Russia’s border.
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