For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine.
The latest developments of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, all times EST:
11:30 p.m.: "The fight is here."
11:05 p.m.: Cities around the world have held protests over Russia's advance into Ukraine:
10:36 p.m.: A look at the plight of Ukrainian refugees:
10 p.m.: Ukraine's army said Saturday it had repelled a Russian attack on one of capital city Kyiv's main avenues, Agence France-Presse reported.
Russia "attacked one of the military units on Victory Avenue in Kyiv. The attack was repulsed," Ukraine's army said on its verified Facebook page, without specifying where exactly the incident took place.
An AFP journalist said there were loud explosions heard in central Kyiv early Saturday.
In a separate post, the army said "heavy fighting" was underway in the town of Vasylkiv south of Kyiv, adding that Russia was "trying to land paratroopers."
9:14 p.m.: Russia blocked a move Friday in the U.N. Security Council to condemn and halt its invasion of Ukraine, but several nations said they would seek accountability from the full U.N. membership in the General Assembly, VOA’s United Nations correspondent reported.
"Let me put it plainly: Vote yes if you believe in upholding the U.N. Charter. Vote yes if you support Ukraine’s – or any state’s – right to sovereignty and territorial integrity. Vote yes if you believe Russia should be held to account for its actions,” U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the council. “Vote no, or abstain, if you do not uphold the Charter, and align yourselves with the aggressive and unprovoked actions of Russia. Just as Russia had a choice, so do you.”
8:07 p.m.: VOA’s Henry Ridgwell reports from London that NATO triggered its Response Force for the first time Friday to defend the eastern flank of the alliance, as Russian forces pushed deeper into Ukraine.
"There must be no space for miscalculation or misunderstanding. We will do what it takes to protect and defend every ally and every inch of NATO territory," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels.
7:50 p.m.: In Kyiv, pain but also hope.
6:14 p.m.: A prolonged war in Ukraine puts at risk billions of dollars in projects between Ukraine and its top trading partner, China, experts say. Among them, a 3-year-old deal by Chinese networking giant Huawei to install 4G wireless services in the Kyiv metro system. Shipments of agricultural products likely will slow.
Russia and Ukraine also do a brisk aerospace and defense trade that began with the delivery of China's first aircraft carrier in the late 1990s.
6:11 p.m.: Protests against the invasion of Ukraine continued Friday in several cities in Russia, although with smaller numbers of protesters, according to The Associated Press.
6:03 p.m.: White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reports a protest is happening in Washington.
5:48 p.m.: The United Nations Security Council has voted.
5:17 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy address the nation Friday night:
He added, "This night will be difficult, very difficult. But the morning will come."
5:11 p.m.: The U.N. Security Council is to vote on a resolution to strongly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to demand it halt its use of force and withdraw from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.
5:10 p.m.: VOA's Heather Murdock reports from Kyiv on the effect the invasion is having on Ukraine.
4:08 p.m.: Russia says no more business as usual with the US.-
3:48 p.m.: VOA Eastern European Chief Myroslava Gongadze shared this tweet from Kyiv indicating an air raid is underway.
3:45 p.m.: VOA White House Correspondent Patsy Widakuswara says the U.S. is joining the European Union in sanctioning President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov and members of the Russian national security team.
3:30 p.m.: The White House issued its statement on today’s NATO summit and the phone call between U.S. President Biden and Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy.
3:18 p.m.: Russia faced more negative fallout in the sports world Friday, tied to its recent invasion of Ukraine.
Sports Illustrated reported that soccer federations in Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic have stated that they will “not consider traveling to Russia” for World Cup qualifiers.
Also, the Independent reported that the Formula 1Russian Grand Prix, which had been scheduled September 25 in Sochi, is now cancelled.
2:55 p.m.: VOA’s Cindy Saine says when U.S. State Department Spokesman Ned Price was asked about locally employed Ukrainian staff working at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv he replied, "We are exploring all legal options available to us that would enable us to support them." He said they are all being paid, whether they can work or not.
2:51 p.m.: VOA’s Nike Ching reports that China has said Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to hold talks. But State Department Spokesman Ned Price said diplomacy cannot take place "at the barrel of a gun."
2:44 p.m.: Britain announced sanctions against Russia’s president and foreign minister.
2:27 p.m.: U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken commented on reports of civilian deaths in Ukraine.
2:24 p.m.: VOA’s Eastern European Chief Myroslava Gongadze collected information about the impact of the conflict on Ukraine’s civilians from former General Prosecutor Gyunduz Mamedov. He said Friday that since Russia invaded, civilian casualties in Ukraine already total at least 42 civilians including 2 children. He announced the creation of a headquarters to collect information on human right abuses related to the current crisis.
2:21 p.m.: VOA State Department Correspondent Nike Ching shared a statement Friday afternoon issued by Spokesperson Ned Price:
“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to offer support and condemn reports of mounting civilian deaths, including those of Ukrainian children, due to air strikes and rocket launch systems in and around Kyiv. The Secretary expressed his outrage at the Kremlin’s brutal tactics and underscored continued U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Secretary also emphasized to Foreign Minister Kuleba that the United States would continue to provide support to Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russian aggression.”
1:57 p.m.: VOA’s Jamie Dettmer, who is on assignment in central Ukraine, shared this Reporters’ Notebook first person account:
“While we’re absolutely not panicking, today has been objectively the scariest day of my life,” says Mia Willard, a Ukrainian-American.
A few days ago I was sitting in a coffee shop in the center of Kyiv discussing how events may unfold with the think tank analyst.
Neither of us could predict with any certainty what would happen.
On her Facebook Mia posted this today: “Around 4am our forces shot down the enemy’s jet nearly right above my house — coincidentally, when we stepped outside on our balcony. We saw the explosion close-up, rushing to the shelter. The jet then crashed a few blocks away, setting another residential building aflame. We've been hearing shelling the entire time.”
She praises the Ukraine armed forces, saying they are “doing an outstanding job sabotaging the enemy's paths to Kyiv (and not only the capital) and eliminating the threats when they get here. A battle for Kyiv could get worse,” she worries.
“Apartment buildings are already being hit as a result of the fighting. Civilians, including children, die. Then, Russia calls us Neo-Nazis,” she says. “I don’t know what a delusional world Putin lives in, but Ukraine would highly appreciate the world’s support in these dangerous times,“ she added.
1:55 p.m.: VOA’s National Correspondent Steve Herman reports that Delta Airlines announced Friday it suspended its codeshare agreement with Russian carrier Aeroflot effective immediately.
1:49 p.m.: China’s foreign minister has posted a statement about Ukraine saying, in part, "China firmly advocates respecting and safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and earnestly abides by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. This position is consistent and clear, and it applies equally to Ukraine."
1:37 p.m.: According to Polygraph.info, a fact-checking website produced by Voice of America (VOA), “The Russian Federation has attacked or engaged in military aggression against several neighbors since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.”
1:15 p.m.: VOA’s Patsy Widakuswara shared this latest information from the White House.
12:39 p.m.: VOA’s Jeff Seldin shares Russia’s Defense Ministry update.
12:26 p.m.: Ukraine’s president said Friday he will stay in the capital Kyiv to defend Ukraine’s independence.
12:07 p.m.: NATO is activating defense plans, according to VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin:
11:53 a.m.: NATO released a statement Friday about Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
11:43 a.m.: VOA’s Nike Ching reports that the U.S. is warning Ukrainians about Russian disinformation. "Our information indicates Russia is creating a disinformation campaign by publicizing false reports about the widespread surrender of Ukrainian troops. Our information also indicates that Russia plans to threaten killing the family members of Ukrainian soldiers if they do not surrender," according to the statement.
11:32 a.m.: VOA’s Steve Herman reports that Russia has been kicked out of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
11:16 a.m.: VOA's Margaret Besheer reports that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet says Russia's military action clearly violates international law and puts at risk countless lives and must be immediately halted. She also expressed concern about the arrests of anti-war protesters in Russia.
10:48 a.m.: VOA’s Margaret Besheer has the latest Ukraine refugee estimates from the United Nations on Friday.
10:46 a.m.: Highlights of a Gallup survey released Friday show the following:
- 52% in U.S. see the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a vital threat
- 85% of Americans view Russia unfavorably
- 48% say NATO is doing a good job handling problems
The data come from Gallup’s February 1-17 World Affairs poll conducted before Russia invaded Ukraine.
10:33 a.m.: VOA’s Jeff Seldin spoke to a US official who says Russia’s advance on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv may be slower than anticipated.
10:20 a.m.: VOA Nike Ching reports that the U.S. State Department today re-issued its Travel Advisory for Ukraine to include information regarding Russia’s military actions: Ukraine Travel Advisory Level 4 – Do Not Travel
9:57 a.m.: Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, calls on the U.S. to lead an effort to ban Russia from SWIFT. The SWIFT system, or Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, is a global provider of secure financial messaging, and facilitates financial transactions and money transfers across the world.
9:38 a.m.: “Russia has shattered peace on the European continent,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the start of a meeting Friday to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
9:34 a.m.: The Russian attack on Ukraine has put a spotlight on another place that could face an invasion by its larger neighbor, as some analysts draw quick comparisons to China's threats to assert its control over self-ruled Taiwan.
9:25 a.m.: VOA’s Phil Mercer looks at protests that erupted in Australia.
9:20 a.m.: After Russian troops invaded Ukraine, Americans took to the streets to call for peace and an end to the war. VOA’s Senior Washington Correspondent Carolyn Presutti reports.
9:13 a.m.: VOA’s Jeff Seldin has the readout from a phone call between Britain’s Prime Minister and Ukraine’s President about Russian military advances today:
9:03 a.m.: According to Nike Ching, VOA’s State Department Correspondent, the U.S. has expelled Russia’s number 2 diplomat in Washington in retaliation for the Russian expulsion of the second ranking U.S. diplomat in Moscow earlier this month. The State Department said the expulsion is unrelated to Russia's invasion of Ukraine but part of a continuing dispute between the U.S. and Russia over embassy staffing. President Biden said yesterday "there is a complete rupture right now in U.S.-Russian relations if they continue on this path that they’re on." But it does not mean the U.S. is closing its embassy in Moscow and severing diplomatic ties with Russia, according to the State Department.
8:48 a.m.: VOA’s Jeff Seldin offers this analysis:
8:35 a.m.: VOA’s Jamie Dettmer reports: “Kremlin says Russia to send delegation to Minsk to negotiate with Ukrainians — this comes after two appeals today from Zelenskyy saying he was ready to sit and talk.”
8:14 a.m. : Updated - VOA’s Rob Garver reports:
8:09 a.m.: VOA's Heather Murdock filed this report from Kyiv, where citizens and Ukraine's military await the Russian advance:
7:43 a.m.: Pope Francis went to the Russian embassy on Friday to express concern over Russia's invasion of Ukraine to Moscow's ambassador in an unprecedented departure from diplomatic protocol. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope spent about 30 minutes at the embassy, which is close to the Vatican.
7:40 a.m.: VOA’s Jamie Dettmer further reports: “More shootings inside Kyiv — Ukrainian intelligence say not the result of a main force penetration but carried out by saboteurs and Russian special forces, some in civilian clothing.”
7:33 a.m.: VOA’s Jamie Dettmer tweeted “Unconfirmed reports circulating that Russian tanks, armored vehicles are moving south from Zhytomyr with aim of swinging east to target Kyiv from south; causing anxiety for Kyiv residents heading out from city on west side.”
7:05 a.m.: VOA's Jamie Dettmer reports: “Ukraine’s defense minister says even Ukrainians over 60 years of age should enlist. But I am sitting in a car with a reservist who has impatiently been waiting for days to be called up to join his unit. One key story about this invasion when people look back will be the lack of Ukrainian preparedness, something VOA wrote about the day before Russia launched the offensive.”
6:55 a.m.: The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reports that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday. According to SANA, al-Assad characterizes Russia’s action in Ukraine as “a correction to history” that will “re- balance the world” that was lost after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
6:25 a.m.: According to the Associated Press, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) will no longer host the Champions League final in St. Petersburg after Russia launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine. An extraordinary meeting of the UEFA executive committee will be held Friday to discuss the geopolitical crisis.
5:40 a.m.: A CNN reporter says Ukraine is telling its citizens to use Molotov cocktails against Russian forces.
5:23 a.m.: Scenes from Ukraine, via Al-Jazeera:
4:40 a.m.: Agence France-Presse has a map detailing where the fighting is:
4:29 a.m.: European Union leaders have announced what they called “massive” sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine during an emergency summit in Brussels that spilled into the early hours of Friday. The measures come amid reports of Russian troops moving ever closer to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. VOA's Lisa Bryant has the story.
3:55 a.m.: Human Rights Watch offers insight on international law.
3:38 p.m.: VOA's Jamie Dettmer reports: Ukraine’s Office of the President says ready to open negotiations with #Russia to agree "neutral status" but in return for security guarantees. “We should stop this war,” said adviser to the president.
3:10 a.m.: Reuters reports that the International Criminal Court may investigate allegations of war crimes in Ukraine.
3 a.m.: VOA's Jamie Dettmer reports: Gunfight under way in northernmost district of Kyiv between Ukrainians and Russia special forces, officials say.
2:41 a.m.: VOA's Jamie Dettmer reports: Ukraine intelligence officials tell newspaper Ukrainska Pravda that Russians aim to cause panic, havoc in Kyiv, disconnect electricity and communications, mount sabotage, prompt bigger refugee surge, seize government buildings and leadership, making them sign Russian-dictated peace deal by threatening to strike civilian infrastructure and cause more casualties.
2:37 a.m.: The Seattle Times reports on the propaganda war.
2:22 a.m.: VOA's Jamie Dettmer has photos from the outskirts of Kyiv:
2:13 a.m.: Would things be different if Trump were in the White House? It’s an argument that some experts on Russia policy agree with -- just not for the reasons being put forward by critics of President Joe Biden, a Democrat. VOA's Rob Garver has the story.
2 a.m.: American actor Sean Penn is in Ukraine.
1:54 a.m.: VOA's Jamie Dettmer reports: Sumy authorities say a lot of Russian armored vehicles passed through from Kharkiv heading in direction of Kyiv.
1:22 a.m.: Inside a bomb shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine:
1:05 a.m.: Thousands of Indian nationals are trapped in Ukraine.
12:10 a.m.: Facebook and rumors of "kill lists."
12:03 a.m.: VOA's Jeff Seldin on Vladimir Putin:
12:01 a.m.: Reuters reports that protests around the world denounce Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
