Russia’s War on Ukraine: Refugees Cross 2 Million, Harris Visits Poland

Russia’s War on Ukraine: Refugees Cross 2 Million, Harris Visits Poland


Refugees maintain one another as they speak to an officer in Medyka, Poland, after crossing the border from Ukraine. “This is the fastest-moving refugee disaster … since World War II,” the UN’s excessive commissioner for refugees has mentioned.

Wally Skalij/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 occurring

Ukraine’s navy and residents proceed to withstand the Russian invasion. As Russia’s assaults escalate, casualties develop and the refugee scenario turns into a significant 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 “warfare in opposition to 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 had been marked by offended 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.

Read extra: How to Help Ukrainian Refugees

Here is breaking information on the warfare. 

Thursday, March 10

Russia bombs institute housing nuclear reactor

Russian planes shelled the Institute of Physics and Technology in Kharkiv, Ukraine, which homes an experimental nuclear reactor, the Ukrainian Parliament tweeted March 10. The assault prompted a close-by lodge to catch hearth, the tweet added with an accompanying video.

Facebook permits violent speech in opposition to Russian invasion

Meta is suspending its Facebook guidelines to permit some violent speech in opposition to the Russian invaders of Ukraine, saying it views these feedback as a type of political speech.

“We have briefly made allowances for types of political expression that might usually violate our guidelines like violent speech akin to ‘loss of life to the Russian invaders,'” Meta spokesman Andy Stone mentioned in a tweet.

Facebook nonetheless will not permit requires violence in opposition to Russian civilians, nevertheless.

Google will present air raid alerts

Google has began rolling out a speedy Air Raid Alerts system for Android customers in Ukraine, the corporate introduced March 10.

“Tragically, tens of millions of individuals in Ukraine now depend on air strike alerts to attempt to get to security,” Google mentioned in a press release.

Disney pulls out of Russia

While Disney final week paused theatrical releases of its new motion pictures, the corporate has now additionally paused content material and product licensing, channels, native productions, National Geographic journal and excursions, and Disney Cruise Line actions.

You can see an inventory of tech and leisure corporations which can be leaving Russia right here.

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks in Poland

During a joint press convention with the president of Poland, Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed that the US is dedicated to supporting NATO allies and serving to with humanitarian help as refugees flee Ukraine.

Harris additionally met with Ukrainian refugees throughout her journey to Warsaw. The vp introduced almost $53 million in extra help, by the US Agency for International Development, to assist civilians affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

No breakthrough after talks between prime diplomats from Russia and Ukraine

High-level talks held in Turkey between diplomats for Ukraine and Russia did not yield an settlement, in keeping with The Washington Post. Ukraine’s international minister reportedly mentioned the nation would not give up, whereas Russia’s international minister mentioned Russia would not again down due to Western sanctions and boycotts. 

Wednesday, March 9

Sony stops PS5 gross sales

Following growing stress for the corporate to stop gross sales of its PS5 gaming system in Russia, Sony Interactive Entertainment introduced it has suspended all {hardware} and software program shipments, in addition to the launch of Gran Turismo 7 and PlayStation Store operations in Russia.

The firm’s film studio has stopped upcoming theatrical releases in Russia. 

Chernobyl disconnected from energy grid

The Chernobyl nuclear energy plant in Ukraine has been disconnected from the electrical energy grid and minimize off from its exterior energy provide, the nation’s vitality operator and state-run nuclear firm reportedly mentioned on Wednesday. That comes after Russian forces seized management of the plant earlier within the invasion. 

The International Atomic Energy Agency says it was notified however sees “no vital influence” on security. Chernobyl, the location of a 1986 nuclear catastrophe, is not energetic however function numerous radioactive waste administration services, in keeping with the IAEA.

Tuesday, March 8

Lumen disconnects Russia from its community

The American telecommunications firm mentioned it is going to “instantly cease enterprise within the area.” 

“Life has taken a flip in Russia and Lumen is unable to proceed to function on this market,” Lumen mentioned on its web site, including that its bodily presence and enterprise companies in Russia are “extraordinarily small and really restricted.”

American quick meals giants pause Russian operations

McDonald’s introduced March 8 that it’s briefly closing all eating places in Russia and pausing all operations there, however will proceed paying Russian staff’ salaries. 

“Our values imply we can not ignore the useless human struggling unfolding in Ukraine,” McDonald’s mentioned in a press release, including that its Ronald McDonald House Charities cell clinics shall be on the Poland-Ukraine and Latvia-Ukraine borders to offer humanitarian help and medical care for youngsters and households. RMHC Ukraine can be offering medical provides all through Ukraine.

Yum Brands, the mother or father firm of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, suspended funding and restaurant growth in Russia. All income from continued operations in Russia shall be directed to humanitarian efforts.

Instagram ups privateness on Ukraine consumer accounts

Meta mentioned it is going to start hiding details about personal Instagram customers in Russia and Ukraine, together with their following and follower lists. Users in these international locations are additionally being informed tips on how to discover and bulk-delete any content material they’ve posted, or earlier likes and feedback.

Biden bans Russian oil imports

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday banned imports of oil and pure gasoline from Russia.

“Americans have rallied to assist the Ukrainian folks and made it clear we won’t be a part of subsidizing Putin’s warfare,” Biden mentioned from the White House. “This is a step we’re taking to inflict additional ache on Putin, however there shall be a solid as nicely right here within the United States.”

Over 2 million refugees flee Ukraine

More than 2 million refugees have escaped Ukraine, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi mentioned in a tweet Tuesday. Around 1 million of them are kids, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder informed CNN.

Today the outflow of refugees from Ukraine reaches two million folks.

Two million.

— Filippo Grandi (@FilippoGrandi) March 8, 2022

Monday, March 7

Biden meets with EU, UK leaders on video name

Biden held a video name Monday morning with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, discussing “their dedication to proceed elevating the prices on Russia for its unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.”

They additionally affirmed they’re going to proceed offering humanitarian, financial and safety help to Ukraine, in addition to outlining communication they’ve every had with Zelenskyy and Putin.

Sunday, March 6

US considers banning Russian oil

Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press that the US is in “very energetic discussions with our European companions about banning the import of Russian oil” as a part of sanctions in opposition to Russia.

“We wish to ensure that we’re performing in coordination,” Blinken mentioned.

Netflix suspends companies in Russia

Netflix introduced that it is suspending its streaming service throughout Russia on Sunday. It adopted Netflix final week refusing to adjust to a neighborhood legislation mandating it should air Russian state-sponsored media channels.

Saturday, March 5

PayPal, main bank card corporations halt companies in Russia

PayPal mentioned it is suspending its companies in Russia and cited the nation’s “violent navy aggression in Ukraine.” The firm had discontinued home companies in Russia in mid-2020 however nonetheless allowed cross-border transactions. Later Saturday, the Associated Press reported that Mastercard and Visa additionally can be suspending operations in Russia. Mastercard playing cards issued by Russian banks will not be supported, and playing cards issued outdoors the nation will not work at Russian ATMs or shops, the AP mentioned, including that Visa transactions will cease within the coming days. Plenty of tech corporations have additionally stopped promoting services and products in Russia as a response to the invasion.

Refugee disaster grows

At least 1.2 million folks have fled Ukraine to neighboring international locations within the 10 days since Russia’s invasion started, the chief of the United Nations refugee company informed The New York Times on Saturday. “This is the fastest-moving refugee disaster — let’s name it a refugee disaster, please, it is a refugee disaster — since World War II,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi informed the Times. Kelly T. Clements, the UN’s deputy excessive commissioner for refugees, emphasised in a tweet that “an individual with a narrative is behind each quantity.”

Putin ramps up his threats, deal to evacuate civilians falls aside

Russian President Vladimir Putin likened worldwide sanctions in opposition to his nation to “a declaration of warfare.” He additionally mentioned “the way forward for Ukrainian statehood” was in danger. 

Meanwhile, an settlement between Ukraine and Russia on evacuating civilians from the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha broke down, with Ukrainian officers saying Russian forces had continued shelling, and the Russians blaming the deal’s collapse on Ukraine.

Friday, March 4

Cogent disconnects Russia from its community

Cogent Communications mentioned Friday it is disconnected its high-capacity web service in Russia, in keeping with a report. Cogent operates over 100,000 miles of fiber optic hyperlinks throughout the globe.

“In gentle of the unwarranted and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Cogent is terminating your whole companies efficient at 5 PM GMT on March 4, 2022,” the US firm mentioned in an e-mail to prospects, in keeping with community monitoring and evaluation agency Kentik.

Crypto exchanges resist banning Russia

Coinbase and Binance, two of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, have to this point refused to ban Russian customers, citing truthful remedy and doubtlessly a necessity given Russia’s financial turmoil. They mentioned they’re complying with present sanctions and can institute a full ban if required.

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 got been partnering carefully with Ukrainian IT organizations to fend off assaults and dealing with organizations in Ukraine, and around the globe, 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 arms 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 data” concerning 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 felony code, which appears designed to show any unbiased reporter right into a felony 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 shall be added within the coming days to the underside of movies, much 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 proscribing accounts of some state-controlled media. The transfer escalates a call 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 tens of millions of extraordinary Russians will discover themselves minimize off from dependable data, disadvantaged of their on a regular basis methods of connecting with household and mates and silenced from talking out,” Clegg mentioned. “We will proceed to do every little thing we are able to to revive our companies so they continue to be accessible to folks to soundly and securely specific 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 in opposition to Russian assaults, together with most just lately a cyberattack in opposition to a significant Ukrainian broadcaster,” firm President Brad Smith wrote.

Google pauses all promoting in Russia

Google suspended promoting on search, YouTube and show advertising in Russia. It adopted Russian web watchdog Roskomnadzor accusing the Google-owned YouTube of working campaigns to misinform Russians concerning the invasion.

Ukraine’s largest nuclear plant seized by Russian forces

Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear energy plant, the most important in Europe, was seized by Russian forces, in keeping with Ukraine’s state nuclear regulator. 

A hearth 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, in keeping with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The US Embassy in Ukraine known as the assault on the nuclear energy plant a “warfare 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 proscribing these customers from making new reservations as visitors, the corporate informed CNBC.

Airbnb is suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus

— Brian Chesky 🇺🇦 (@bchesky) March 4, 2022

Elon Musk warns likelihood of SpaceX being focused is excessive

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has warned that the Starlink satellite tv for pc web service, which stays stay in Ukraine, may very well be focused by Russia. 

“Important warning: Starlink is the one non-Russian communications system nonetheless working in some elements of Ukraine, so likelihood of being focused is excessive. Please use with warning,” Musk tweeted Thursday.

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 folks of Ukraine and the worldwide group in calling for a direct finish to this warfare and a swift return to peace,” Intel mentioned in a press release. The Intel Foundation has raised greater than $1.2 million for aid by 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 akin to BBC and Deutsche Welle, in addition to social media websites together with Facebook and Twitter, in keeping with 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 property of the people and goal their “yachts, luxurious flats, cash, and different ill-gotten good points,” mentioned the White House. 

The Department of State can 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 might allow civilians trapped by the warfare to flee, reported The Washington Post. The cease-fires will reportedly solely be in place alongside evacuation corridors and for restricted instances. 

“The major subject that was resolved at this time is the problem of saving folks, civilians, who discovered themselves within the zone of navy clashes,” Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky mentioned, in keeping with 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 automobile 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, in keeping with the Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine and Russia to enter second spherical of talks 

Delegations from Ukraine and Russia are planning to satisfy for his or her second spherical of talks on Wednesday, in keeping with The New York Times, citing Zelenskyy adviser Oleksiy Arestovych.

EU bans Russian state-run information companies in Europe

The European Union on Wednesday prohibited state-controlled information retailers 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 unbiased 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 warfare 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 stress 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 saying that we are going to be 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 sources

Google on Tuesday added an SOS alert on Search throughout Ukraine to level folks trying to find evacuation data to UN sources for refugees and asylum seekers. The search big mentioned it is also upping its account safety protections and eradicating misinformation, whereas Google Pay “might develop into unavailable in sure international locations.”

Snapchat halts adverts throughout Russia and Ukraine

Snapchat stopped all promoting working 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 stay in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus as a result of Snap mentioned it is “an necessary communications instrument for household and mates.”

Biden and Zelenskyy talk about 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 attainable. Thank you on your assist!”

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 concerning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand with all the people who find themselves struggling because of the violence,” it mentioned in an e-mailed assertion. “We are supporting humanitarian efforts, offering help for the unfolding refugee disaster, and doing all we are able to to assist our groups within the area.”

DirecTV removes RT America programming

Satellite TV supplier DirecTV will now not carry RT America, one among Russia’s state-controlled worldwide tv networks, within the US, DirecTV mentioned Tuesday. 

“We are accelerating this 12 months’s contract expiration timeline and can now not supply their programming efficient instantly,” DirecTV mentioned in a press release. “We felt it mandatory to maneuver the timeline up from mid-year following the devastating latest 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 retailers. Meta can be making the content material more durable to search out and labeling it on each platforms. “This hyperlink is from a writer Facebook believes could also be partially or wholly underneath 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 shall 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 facet, you may show to us that you’re by our facet, that you’ll not surrender on us.”

YouTube blocks Russian state media channels

YouTube blocked channels related to Russian state-controlled media retailers RT and Sputnik, mother or father firm Google mentioned.

“It’ll take time for our programs to completely ramp up,” Google’s European department mentioned in a tweet. “Our groups proceed to observe the scenario across the clock to take swift motion.”

Monday, Feb. 28

Facebook to limit some Russian state media throughout the EU

Meta, the mother or father firm of Facebook, will restrict entry to RT and Sputnik throughout the European Union. 

“We have acquired requests from numerous Governments and the EU to take additional steps in relation to Russian state managed media. Given the distinctive nature of the present scenario, we shall be proscribing entry to RT and Sputnik throughout the EU right now,” mentioned Nick Clegg, who oversees world 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 be taking steps to scale 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 heart 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 retailers,” mentioned Yoel Roth, Twitter’s head of website integrity, in a collection of tweets explaining the corporate’s resolution. “While we have labeled the accounts of tons of of world state media retailers for years, Tweets sharing their content material lacked seen context.”

Twitter mentioned it might roll out the labels to different state-affiliated media retailers within the coming weeks. 

Ukrainian and Russian delegations finish preliminary talks

Ukraine and Russia despatched delegations to neighboring Belarus to enter the primary talks because the Russian invasion started, the Washington Post and New York Times reported. The talks reportedly lasted nearly 5 hours and extra are anticipated within the coming days. 

The delegations “recognized numerous precedence matters on which particular options had been outlined,” mentioned Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, in keeping with the Washington Post. No particular decision was reached and either side will reportedly return to their international locations for consultations. 

Sunday, Feb. 27

Google Maps stay site visitors information briefly disabled in Ukraine

Google Maps instruments providing stay details about site visitors situations and exercise in shops and eating places had been briefly disabled in Ukraine, the search big confirmed to CNET through e-mail.

The resolution 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 related requests from different international locations.

The firm had beforehand established a middle staffed with native Russian and Ukrainian audio system to observe the platform. It additionally expanded its fact-checking functionality and prevented Russian state media accounts from working adverts, 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 had been in response to a plea from a senior Ukrainian authorities official for him to offer extra Starlink stations to the nation. The satellite-based service offers an alternative choice to land-based programs that may usually be troublesome to deploy in distant areas or susceptible to interruption by navy 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 make sure that the affected Russian banks “are disconnected from the worldwide monetary system,” harming “their capability to function globally.”

Social media websites tamp down on adverts

Google-owned YouTube reportedly prohibited Russian state-owned media outlet RT and different Russian channels from being profitable off of adverts on the video website. Facebook had made an identical transfer on Friday, banning Russian state media from working adverts or monetizing on its platform. It adopted up Saturday with a weblog put up concerning 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 vital public security data is elevated and adverts do not detract from it.” On Saturday, it mentioned “we conscious that Twitter is being restricted for some folks in Russia and are working to maintain our service protected and accessible.”

Russian advance slows 

A Pentagon official mentioned Russian forces had been “more and more pissed off 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 numerous information retailers characterised as intense avenue 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 attainable 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 by Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk and Sumy.

Friday, Feb. 25

Meta halts Russian state media adverts 

The Facebook proprietor mentioned late Friday it was “prohibiting Russian state media from working adverts or monetizing on our platform wherever on the planet.” 

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 part of them in sanctioning President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov and members of the Russian nationwide safety workforce,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki mentioned throughout a press briefing Friday afternoon.

Psaki added that the secretary of the Treasury will even 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 the 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 solid doubt on peace talks, in keeping with The New York Times.

Thursday, Feb. 24

Ukraine loss of life toll reaches 137

At least 137 folks had been killed on the primary day of Russia’s assault, Zelenskyy mentioned. 

“Peaceful Ukrainian cities are underneath strikes,” Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter, calling the Russian navy actions “a full-scale invasion.” 

“This is a warfare of aggression,” Kuleba mentioned.

Russia seizes Chernobyl

Russian forces took management of the Chernobyl nuclear energy website by Thursday afternoon, in keeping with the Associated Press. 

“This is a declaration of warfare in opposition to 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 capability to finance and construct its navy. 

“Putin’s aggression in opposition to Ukraine will find yourself costing Russia dearly economically and strategically,” Biden mentioned.

British Prime Minister 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 warfare that may convey a catastrophic lack of life and human struggling,” Biden mentioned in a press release. “Russia alone is answerable for the loss of life and destruction this assault will convey.”

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg mentioned Russia’s actions are “an act of aggression in opposition to a sovereign, unbiased and peaceable nation.” He added, “this can be 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 japanese 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 in opposition to 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 warfare.

“The folks of Ukraine and the federal government of Ukraine need peace,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “But if we come underneath assault, if we face an try to remove our nation, our freedom, our lives and lives of our youngsters, we are going to defend ourselves. When you assault us, you will notice 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, in keeping with the top of the Eastern European nation’s Ministry of Digital Transformation. Some banking web sites had been down as nicely, Mykhailo Fedorov mentioned on Telegram.

DDoS assaults cripple websites by overwhelming them with a flood of requests to serve up internet pages.

Tuesday, Feb. 22

First sanctions

The European Union on Tuesday agreed to a package deal of sanctions in opposition to Russia, concentrating on banks that fund the nation’s navy operations and banning commerce between the EU and the 2 breakaway areas in japanese Ukraine, whereas Germany halted approval of the Nord Stream 2, a pure gasoline pipeline working 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 drive.

Monday, Feb. 21

Putin acknowledges breakaway areas as unbiased

Putin on Feb. 21 acknowledged two Moscow-backed areas in japanese Ukraine — Donetsk and Luhansk — as unbiased entities and ordered the deployment of Russian forces to “hold the peace.” In a prolonged televised handle about his resolution, 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 consider Russia was answerable for cyberattacks in opposition to Ukraine’s banks and navy earlier this month. They had 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 laptop networks.

“This latest spate of cyberattacks in Ukraine are in step 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 issues, however the US was agency that it might “not permit 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,” in keeping with The New York Times, together with calls for for “ironclad” ensures that Ukraine and Georgia by no means develop into members of NATO. 

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a navy alliance amongst two international locations in North America and 28 in Europe. The admission of both Ukraine or Georgia would improve NATO’s presence alongside Russia’s border. 

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