Gunshots Heard In Kyiv As Ukrainian President Warns Of Overnight Russian Attacks

Russian State Media Banned From Advertising On Facebook

Facebook has banned Russian state news outlets from advertising on the social network worldwide, Facebook’s head of security policy Nathaniel Gleicher tweeted Friday night, amid concerns Russia is using state-owned media organizations to spread false narratives about its invasion of Ukraine.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, Kremlin-funded news outlets like RT have sought to justify the military campaign, sometimes repeating baseless allegations that Ukraine’s government was committing genocide.

On Thursday, Russia demanded that Facebook’s parent company Meta Platforms stop attaching fact-checks to posts from certain state media outlets, a request the company turned down, Meta’s Vice President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg said. Russian officials said Friday they will partially restrict access to Facebook within the country due to what the Russian government described as censorship.

Ukraine’s Military Claims It Destroyed Russian Vehicles In Kyiv Amid Overnight Fighting

The Ukrainian military announced on Facebook it destroyed a column of Russian vehicles—including a tank—in a neighborhood on the western side of Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv early Saturday morning. Local newspaper Ukrayinska Pravda posted a video of vehicles enveloped in flames at the same location.

Russia also attacked an eastern district of Kyiv overnight, but it faced pushback from the Ukrainian military, according to Ukrainian officials. And Ukraine says it shot down a Russian Il-76 airlift plane that was carrying troops about 20 miles southwest of Kyiv. The Ukrainian military’s claims have not been independently verified.

Explosions and bursts of gunfire were audible throughout Kyiv starting late Friday night, and fighting appeared to continue into Saturday morning, Forbes Ukraine reported. Hours earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned residents to expect fighting overnight.

Biden Administration Reportedly Weighing Communication Line With Russian Military

The United States hopes to open a communication hotline with Russia to cut the risk of any accidental military confrontations near Ukraine, NBC News and CNN reported Friday, citing multiple unnamed U.S. officials. It’s not clear whether Russia will agree, NBC noted.

President Joe Biden says he will not send U.S. forces into Ukraine, but thousands of additional American troops have been sent to nearby Poland—a member of the NATO alliance—in recent weeks, putting U.S. forces within several hundred miles of Russia’s massive invasion of Ukraine.

Russia and the United States set up a similar 24-hour “deconfliction line” in Syria more than six years ago, to ensure that U.S. and Russian aircraft don’t accidentally collide or confront each other.

Russian Attacks Reported Overnight On Edges Of Kyiv

Russian forces are trying to attack a large power station near eastern Kyiv’s Troieshchyna district, meeting resistance from Ukraine’s military, Ukrainian officials said early Saturday morning. Meanwhile, newspaper Ukrayinska Pravda posted a video of what it described as Russia attempting to attack a Ukrainian military unit in a western section of Kyiv.

Explosions were audible in Kyiv early Saturday, following an earlier round of gunfire and explosions before midnight, Forbes Ukraine Deputy Editor-in-Chief Volodymyr Landa reported. Crews from CNN also reported loud explosions and bright flashes near Kyiv Saturday morning, and the New York Times reported small arms fire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities would likely face a challenging night, amid intense fighting from invading Russian troops.

Russian Ally Kazakhstan Reportedly Turns Down Russia’s Request For Troops

Kazakhstan has declined to send troops to help with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and will not recognize the independence of two Russia-backed separatist states in eastern Ukraine, NBC News reported Friday, citing unnamed officials. A former Soviet state, Kazakhstan has a close relationship with Russia–Russia deployed thousands of “peacekeeping” troops to Kazakhstan last month to help the government crack down on protests.

A White House official told Forbes: “We welcome Kazakhstan’s announcement that they will not recognize the [Luhansk People’s Republic] and [Donetsk People’s Republic]. We also welcome Kazakhstan’s refusal to send its forces to join Putin’s war in Ukraine.”

Despite Kazakhstan’s reluctance to get involved, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been supported by another ally: Belarus. Many Russian forces have invaded Ukraine via Belarus, and the Russian and Belarusian militaries held joint exercises before the war began.

Roads Into Lviv Jammed As People Flee To Western Ukraine

Massive traffic jams have formed outside the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, a bastion of relative safety amid Russia’s invasion, Forbes Ukraine reports. Some cars near Lviv have traveled less than 10 miles in three hours, causing some drivers to either start walking or sleep in their vehicles overnight, according to Forbes Ukraine Deputy Editor-in-Chief Volodymyr Landa.

As Russian forces engage in heavy fighting near Kyiv and the eastern city of Kharkiv and invade through Ukraine’s south, Lviv and the rest of western Ukraine have been somewhat calmer.

Ukrainians began to leave Kyiv hours after Russia first launched its attacks early Thursday morning, with traffic jams forming on the city’s roads and long lines at gas stations. On Friday, the country’s rail system began running free evacuation trains from Kyiv to western Ukraine, according to Forbes Ukraine. The United Nations says more than 50,000 people have fled Ukraine since the start of the invasion, most of whom have crossed into Poland and Moldova, but Ukrainian authorities have banned all men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country.

Biden Administration Wants $6.4 Billion To Address Ukraine Crisis

The White House asked lawmakers Friday to approve $6.4 billion in humanitarian and defense spending to deal with the crisis in Ukraine, an administration official told Forbes. If approved, some $2.9 billion in funding would go to Ukraine and neighboring countries for humanitarian, economic and security assistance, and $3.5 billion would go to the Pentagon. The administration official cautioned that discussions may shift as on-the-ground conditions change.

Ukraine has received more than $500 million annually from the United States in recent years, including funding for defense, humanitarian and economic purposes. Over the last year, the United States has committed more than $650 million in security aid and $50 million in humanitarian aid to the country.

The extra funding could be included in a broader omnibus spending package covering the remainder of the fiscal year, Axios reported, citing an unnamed congressional leadership aide. Lawmakers have struggled for months to pass a spending package for the current fiscal year, instead keeping the government open through a series of short-term bills, and Congress needs to pass either a budget or another stopgap bill by March 11 to avoid a government shutdown.

Forbes has reached out to the White House for comment.

U.S. Will Sanction Russia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund

The Biden Administration plans to sanction the Russian Direct Investment Fund, a state-owned sovereign wealth fund, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced Friday evening. Psaki says the fund will face “full blocking sanctions,” which means its U.S.-based assets will be frozen and all U.S. entities will be barred from doing business with it.

Forbes has reached out to the Treasury Department for more details.

Hours after Russia invaded Ukraine, President Joe Biden vowed to sanction Russia’s two largest banks, restrict Russian imports of U.S.-made technology and target several Russian elites. The United Kingdom and European Union unveiled similar sanctions this week. On Friday, officials in the U.S., U.K. and E.U. announced they will also impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Ukraine Shoots Down Russian Plane Carrying Troops, Military Claims

Ukraine’s air defense forces shot down a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 airlift plane that was carrying soldiers, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces said on Facebook early Saturday. The plane was shot down near Vasilkov, a city about 20 miles southwest of Kyiv.

The Il-76 is a four-engine heavy airlifter that can carry more than 100 paratroopers or 50 tons of cargo.

Russia Vetoes U.N. Security Council Resolution Condemning Invasion Of Ukraine

Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution to condemn its invasion of Ukraine Friday, according to multiple reports. The resolution was supported by 11 out of 15 Security Council members, including the United States, France and United Kingdom. Three countries abstained: India, the United Arab Emirates and China.

Ukraine’s President Warns Of Heavy Fighting Tonight

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said multiple cities are under attack—including the capital of Kyiv—and residents should expect a difficult night ahead, Forbes Ukraine reports.

“I appeal to the defenders: This night on all fronts the enemy will use all available forces to break our resistance. … Tonight they will storm. We all need to understand what awaits us. We have to persevere tonight. The fate of Ukraine is being decided now,” Zelensky said.

Explosions And Gunfire Heard In Kyiv As Invasion Enters Third Night

Several explosions and about 20 minutes of gunfire were audible across the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv late Friday night, Forbes Ukraine’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief Volodymyr Landa reported. Authorities have not yet provided details on the fighting.

As Russia’s invasion nears the 48-hour mark, authorities warn Russian troops are approaching Kyiv, with elements spotted in outlying parts of the city. Russia’s advance toward Kyiv has been slower-than-expected due to heavy resistance from Ukrainian forces, U.S. officials say, but Kyiv’s mayor warned earlier Friday the city will face a “difficult” night, Forbes Ukraine reports.

Ukrainian Military Says Russian Armor Near Konotop Stopped Amid Heavy Fighting—And Fuel Shortages

Russian tanks have been forced to halt near the northern Ukrainian city of Konotop amid fierce fighting, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense claimed in a Facebook post on Friday. The post said some of the Russian vehicles also appeared to run low on fuel, forcing Russian troops to try to buy fuel from nearby communities.

The Ministry of Defense’s assertions have not been independently confirmed.

Konotop—a city of over 80,000—is about 50 miles from Ukraine’s border with Russia and more than 100 miles northeast of the capital city of Kyiv. Russian forces are approaching Kyiv, but they’ve faced heavier-than-expected resistance from Ukrainian troops, according to the United States.

Biden Administration Will Sanction Putin

The United States will impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and “members of the Russian national security team,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed. The United States and European Union announced sanctions on Putin and Lavrov earlier Friday, part of a sweeping response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The White House plans to release more details later Friday, according to Psaki.

Sanctioning the head of a foreign country is unusual. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un are on the U.S. sanctions list. But the Biden Administration opted against sanctioning Saudi Crown Prince and de facto leader Mohammad bin Salman last year, after determining that he was involved in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

NATO Activates Response Force For First Time

NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Tod Wolters activated the alliance’s Response Force for the first time Friday as part of a defensive measure against Russia’s invasion into Ukraine. Portions of about 40,000 land, air, sea and special operations troops from the allied countries are now on standby and can be deployed quickly, if needed. “The Kremlin’s objectives are not limited to Ukraine,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said during a press conference. Stoltenberg did not specify how many troops would be activated out of the entire Response Force. 

President Joe Biden deployed about 7,000 U.S. troops to Europe on Thursday to help aid NATO’s defenses, but he has been clear the troops are there to help neighboring NATO countries and that they will not be fighting in Ukraine.

U.S. Reportedly Planning To Sanction Putin Friday

The Biden Administration plans to impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as Friday, CNN reported, citing two unnamed sources. The move would follow sanctions against Putin announced by the European Union and the United Kingdom earlier Friday.

After Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday, the United States sanctioned Russia’s two largest banks, restricted Russia from importing some U.S. technology and targeted several Russian elites. President Joe Biden also didn’t rule out sanctioning Putin himself in a Thursday speech.

Forbes has reached out to the White House for comment. The White House’s daily press briefing is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Kyiv Mayor Warns Of ‘Difficult’ Night Ahead Amid Reports Of Explosions In City

From Forbes Ukraine:

• Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko called the current situation in Kyiv “threatening” late Friday.
• “The next night, especially in the morning, will be very difficult,” Klitschko said, adding that Russian troops are close to the capital city, and that military and law enforcement officers are working to neutralize sabotage groups in Kyiv.
• Multiple explosions were heard on the outskirts of Kyiv around 8 p.m. local time—five of which were audible near the Kyiv Thermal Power Plant No. 6.
• Russian troops fired on ambulance crews and hospitals near Kyiv and Zaporizhia on Friday, according to Ukrainian Minister of Health Viktor Lyashko. 
• Mariusz Błaszczak, head of the Polish Ministry of Defense, said a convoy of trucks with ammunition has arrived in Ukraine, along with other assistance from Poland.
• The U.K., Germany and Italy have voiced support to ban Russia from the SWIFT banking system.
• The Council of Europe suspended Russia from its right of representation, meaning Russia will be temporarily banned from voting on issues in front of the human rights organization.
• The Czech Republic and Poland will close their airspaces to Russian airlines starting Saturday. 
• Ukraine’s rail system is running free evacuation trains transporting 4,000 people per hour to the western part of the country.

Biden Speaks With Ukrainian President Zelenskyy As Russian Forces Approach Kyiv

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, as Ukraine battled a Russian invasion that is closing in on the capital of Kyiv.

The two leaders spoke for about 40 minutes, according to the White House. They discussed “strengthening sanctions, concrete defense assistance and an anti-war coalition,” Zelenskyy tweeted, thanking the United States for its “strong support.”

The United States and its allies imposed sanctions on Russia after the invasion began, and sent military aid to Ukraine before the attack, but Biden has repeatedly pledged not to deploy U.S. troops to Ukraine.

The call comes as Russian troops approach Kyiv and Kharkiv in the north and invade from the Crimean Peninsula in the south, according to a senior U.S. defense official. Ukrainian forces have put up more resistance than expected and have slowed Russia’s approach toward Kyiv, the official said, but explosions were audible on the city’s outskirts Friday evening, according to Forbes Ukraine.

Russia Launches Amphibious Assault In Eastern Ukraine, U.S. Says

The Russian navy is landing troops in southeastern Ukraine, a senior U.S. defense official said Friday, as Russian ground forces continue to advance from the south. The amphibious assault is taking place west of the city of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov, the official said, putting “potentially thousands of naval infantry ashore.”

Some Russian troops based in the southern Crimean Peninsula have also started heading northeast toward Mariupol, splitting off from a group of Crimea-based troops who invaded and headed northwest toward the city of Kherson.

Any troops invading by sea will likely make up a fairly small part of Russia’s overall force. Russia only has enough amphibious ships to land several thousand naval infantry, compared to the roughly 190,000 Russian troops that were reportedly amassed near Ukraine last week.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian forces are approaching the capital of Kyiv and the northeastern city of Kharkiv, though the senior U.S. defense official said the line of advance near Kyiv is slower than Russia likely expected, amid pushback from Ukrainian forces.

Russia Limits Access To Facebook

The Russian government said it will “partially restrict access” to Facebook after the social media company allegedly imposed restrictions on pro-Kremlin news media accounts. Read more on the move, which Russia called censorship, here.

Russian Invasion Of Ukraine Day 2: Latest Developments

Battle For Kyiv

The U.S. said Friday that Russian forces targeting Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv are facing more resistance from Ukrainian troops than the Kremlin likely expected. Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitchko said Friday the city had gone into a “defensive phase.”

European Union freezes assets of putin and lavrov

The European Union agreed to freeze the assets of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as part of the union’s second sanctions package. Read more about the sanctions here.

U.S.: Russia using Disinformation to try to persuade ukrainian troops to surrender

Russia appears to be publishing false reports of Ukrainian troop surrenders, part of a campaign to “discourage [Ukrainian forces] and induce surrender through disinformation,” a U.S. official told Forbes.

Russia says it is open to negotiating with ukraine — even as it advances on kyiv

Russia signaled Friday it was prepared to negotiate with Ukraine, on the second day of fighting amid Russia’s invasion.