Explosions heard near Kyiv as Russia intensifies bombardment of multiple cities
1 min agoOvernight shelling sparks fire at warehouse northeast of Kyiv, Ukrainian authorities say From CNN's Radina GigovaA frozen goods warehouse caught fire early Saturday morning due to shelling in Brovary district, northeast of Kyiv, according to Ukraine's Interior Ministry.The shelling happened in the village of Kvitneve about 3:30 a.m. local time (8:30 p.m. ET Friday), the ministry said. Preliminary reports show there were no casualties.11 min agoUK Defense Ministry: Bulk of Russian forces are 25 kilometers from KyivFrom CNN's Radina Gigova in Atlanta The bulk of Russian ground forces are currently about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from the center of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, the UK's Ministry of Defence said Saturday in its latest intelligence assessment."Fighting north-west of Kyiv continues with the bilk of Russian ground forces now around 25 kilometers from the center of the city," the ministry said. "Elements of the large Russian column north of Kyiv have dispersed. This is likely to support a Russian attempt to encircle the city. It could also be an attempt by Russia to reduce its vulnerability to Ukrainian counter attacks, which have taken a significant toll on Russian forces," the ministry said. CNN teams in Kyiv reported explosions in the early hours of Saturday morning, but it's unclear whether the explosions were Russian or Ukrainian strikes.The other key cities of Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy and Mariupol remain encircled by Russian forces, the ministry added.1 hr 40 min agoFor loved ones ripped apart by war in Ukraine, phone messages bring hope and despairFrom CNN's Tamara Qiblawi, Mohammed Tawfeeq and Olga VoitovychIn the midst of a days-long, chaotic cross-country train ride to the northwestern city of Lviv, near Ukraine's border with Poland, a terrible realization dawned on Marina.The 54-year-old carer, who managed to evacuate an orphanage in a besieged industrial town in the eastern Luhansk province, had no way to return to her own family.Marina, who did not give her surname, was still reeling from the journey — days spent desperately trying to calm the panic-stricken children in her care against the backdrop of booms and thuds of Russia's brutal assault, while still fearing for her family at home."And now I am all alone," Marina told CNN from a daycare center-turned-shelter in Lviv, where she and the children from her orphanage were camped out. "I have left my own (adult) children to save the children in the orphanage."CNN is not disclosing Marina's full name because of the risks to her family who have not been evacuated.Families separated: The fracturing of families underpins many of the stories of displacement in Ukraine, with millions of people trapped in besieged cities with virtually no way out. Several people CNN spoke to in recent days said they have been unable to contact their loved ones since the start of the invasion. They described frenzied escapes from the country's worst-affected cities, in which parents, spouses, siblings and grandparents were left behind.With the Russian assault knocking out power and telephone networks, whole cities have been cut off from the outside world. Many say they don't know if their loved ones are still alive."I don't understand why the government didn't try to evacuate us before the invasion started," Marina said. "I don't want to blame them. Still, I can't help but think my predicament could have been avoided."Read the full story:2 hr 1 min agoDeath and destruction in Ukraine overshadows Roman Abramovich's Chelsea legacyFrom CNN's Issy Ronald and Jack BantockRoman Abramovich is seen in this file photo watching the Europa League final between Chelsea and Arsenal in Baku, Azerbaijan on May 29, 2019. (Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)For almost 20 years, Roman Abramovich rocketed Chelsea from a club on the periphery of the elite to a global football superpower — but Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in his reign coming to an abrupt end.Bloody conflict in Ukraine and international outrage over Russia's invasion placed a renewed focus on Abramovich and his ownership of Chelsea.It's a focus that has shone a light on the jarring friction between sport and politics: Abramovich the dream-realizing football owner — adored by much of the Chelsea fanbase — versus Abramovich the Russian oligarch.Impact of sanctions: Days after the war began, as the West responded by imposing sanctions on Russia and its oligarchs, Abramovich's assets — including Chelsea — appeared increasingly vulnerable to a more punitive financial environment and he soon announced his plans to sell the club.Before the sale could be completed, however, the UK government announced that Abramovich would be subject to sanctions as one of "Russia's wealthiest and most influential oligarchs, whose business empires, wealth and connections are closely associated with the Kremlin."What this means for Chelsea: The club will be somewhat shielded from the sanctions, allowed to continu
Overnight shelling sparks fire at warehouse northeast of Kyiv, Ukrainian authorities say
From CNN's Radina Gigova
A frozen goods warehouse caught fire early Saturday morning due to shelling in Brovary district, northeast of Kyiv, according to Ukraine's Interior Ministry.
The shelling happened in the village of Kvitneve about 3:30 a.m. local time (8:30 p.m. ET Friday), the ministry said. Preliminary reports show there were no casualties.
UK Defense Ministry: Bulk of Russian forces are 25 kilometers from Kyiv
From CNN's Radina Gigova in Atlanta
The bulk of Russian ground forces are currently about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from the center of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, the UK's Ministry of Defence said Saturday in its latest intelligence assessment.
"Fighting north-west of Kyiv continues with the bilk of Russian ground forces now around 25 kilometers from the center of the city," the ministry said.
"Elements of the large Russian column north of Kyiv have dispersed. This is likely to support a Russian attempt to encircle the city. It could also be an attempt by Russia to reduce its vulnerability to Ukrainian counter attacks, which have taken a significant toll on Russian forces," the ministry said.
CNN teams in Kyiv reported explosions in the early hours of Saturday morning, but it's unclear whether the explosions were Russian or Ukrainian strikes.
The other key cities of Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy and Mariupol remain encircled by Russian forces, the ministry added.
For loved ones ripped apart by war in Ukraine, phone messages bring hope and despair
From CNN's Tamara Qiblawi, Mohammed Tawfeeq and Olga Voitovych
In the midst of a days-long, chaotic cross-country train ride to the northwestern city of Lviv, near Ukraine's border with Poland, a terrible realization dawned on Marina.
The 54-year-old carer, who managed to evacuate an orphanage in a besieged industrial town in the eastern Luhansk province, had no way to return to her own family.
Marina, who did not give her surname, was still reeling from the journey — days spent desperately trying to calm the panic-stricken children in her care against the backdrop of booms and thuds of Russia's brutal assault, while still fearing for her family at home.
"And now I am all alone," Marina told CNN from a daycare center-turned-shelter in Lviv, where she and the children from her orphanage were camped out. "I have left my own (adult) children to save the children in the orphanage."
CNN is not disclosing Marina's full name because of the risks to her family who have not been evacuated.
Families separated: The fracturing of families underpins many of the stories of displacement in Ukraine, with millions of people trapped in besieged cities with virtually no way out.
Several people CNN spoke to in recent days said they have been unable to contact their loved ones since the start of the invasion. They described frenzied escapes from the country's worst-affected cities, in which parents, spouses, siblings and grandparents were left behind.
With the Russian assault knocking out power and telephone networks, whole cities have been cut off from the outside world. Many say they don't know if their loved ones are still alive.
"I don't understand why the government didn't try to evacuate us before the invasion started," Marina said. "I don't want to blame them. Still, I can't help but think my predicament could have been avoided."
Read the full story:
Death and destruction in Ukraine overshadows Roman Abramovich's Chelsea legacy
From CNN's Issy Ronald and Jack Bantock
For almost 20 years, Roman Abramovich rocketed Chelsea from a club on the periphery of the elite to a global football superpower — but Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in his reign coming to an abrupt end.
Bloody conflict in Ukraine and international outrage over Russia's invasion placed a renewed focus on Abramovich and his ownership of Chelsea.
It's a focus that has shone a light on the jarring friction between sport and politics: Abramovich the dream-realizing football owner — adored by much of the Chelsea fanbase — versus Abramovich the Russian oligarch.
Impact of sanctions: Days after the war began, as the West responded by imposing sanctions on Russia and its oligarchs, Abramovich's assets — including Chelsea — appeared increasingly vulnerable to a more punitive financial environment and he soon announced his plans to sell the club.
Before the sale could be completed, however, the UK government announced that Abramovich would be subject to sanctions as one of "Russia's wealthiest and most influential oligarchs, whose business empires, wealth and connections are closely associated with the Kremlin."
What this means for Chelsea: The club will be somewhat shielded from the sanctions, allowed to continue fulfilling its fixtures under a special license. But it does mean Chelsea is not able to sell merchandise or tickets to upcoming games, engage in the transfer market, or issue new contracts to players while under the ownership of Abramovich.
Read the full story:
CNN team reports at least 2 explosions in Ukraine's Dnipro
From CNN's Bex Wright
CNN journalists in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro said they felt at least two explosions and saw what looked like the remnants of anti-aircraft fire early Saturday.
The team also saw smoke rising east of the river.
Air raid sirens started at 5:25 a.m. local time Saturday (10:25 p.m. ET Friday) and are still sounding.
Friday assault: Dnipro was hit by three strikes early Friday, which hit a school, an apartment building and a shoe factory. One civilian was killed.
It's 7 a.m. in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know
Russian forces are pressing closer to Kyiv, and stepping up their assault on other key cities in Ukraine. Here are the latest developments.
- Attacks on key cities: Russian forces expanded their offensive to the west of Ukraine for the first time on Friday, with strikes targeting military airfields. To the east, there's growing evidence that the town of Volnovakha has fallen to Russian forces and their allies in the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic. The southern city of Kherson appears to have been captured, according to US defense intelligence.
- Russian forces advance on Kyiv: CNN teams in Kyiv reported hearing explosions in the early hours of Saturday, as the capital comes under pressure. The cities of Kharkhiv, Mariupol, Mykolaiv and Sumy are also under a sustained Russian onslaught. On Friday, major cities including Dnipro, Lutsk, and Chernihiv were struck by missiles, with fatalities reported. The strikes hit civilian structures including a school, apartment buildings, a shoe factory, a soccer stadium and library.
- Ukrainian mayor detained: The mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, was seen on video Friday being led away by armed men from a government building in the southeastern city. A short time later, the Russian-backed Luhansk regional prosecutor claimed Fedorov had committed terrorism offenses and was under investigation. Ukraine's President said Fedorov's detention was a "crime against democracy," and Kyiv's Foreign Ministry called it a war crime violating the Geneva Conventions.
- Chernobyl power: Technicians are working to repair damaged power lines to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, according to the UN's nuclear watchdog. Ukrainian authorities said the lines were entirely cut this week due to Russian shelling. The plant, which has been relying on diesel generators for backup power since Wednesday, is under Russian control with more than 200 staff effectively living and working there under difficult conditions.
- Biden's warning: US President Joe Biden warned Friday that Russia would pay a "severe price" if it uses chemical weapons, and reiterated the US will not send ground troops to Ukraine. "We will not fight the third world war in Ukraine," Biden said — adding the US would help provide weapons, money and food aid for the country instead.
- The human toll: At least 2.5 million people have fled Ukraine, the UN said Friday. The UN has recorded 1,546 civilian casualties in Ukraine as of Friday, including 564 killed and 982 injured — though they estimate the real number is much higher.
How this baker is resisting the Russian onslaught without picking up a gun
From CNN's Teele Rebane
As Ukrainians around the country gathered glass bottles for Molotov cocktails and armed themselves against the Russian onslaught, Pavlo Servetnyk headed for the kitchen.
For the past two weeks since the Russians invaded, he's been barely sleeping, working 20 hours a day to feed the people of Russian-occupied Kherson. Each day, the 28-year-old bakes thousands of loaves of bread, loads them into his truck or car, and drives them through the deserted streets, delivering them to people who are increasingly being cut off from outside food supplies as Russian forces choke the city of nearly 300,000.
Kherson was the first major city to fall since the war began. Unified against a common enemy, Ukrainians are finding ways to resist — without even carrying a gun.
Before the war, Servetnyk was a successful chef — he won Ukrainian MasterChef in 2019, and ran a pizza restaurant in Kherson. But on Feb. 24, the Russians invaded Ukraine — and his life changed.
As the Russians shelled his country, Servetnyk and his partner drove to his parents' house in a village on the outskirts of Kherson, desperate to flee Ukraine. "Get into the car, we will go somewhere," he told them. His parents — who had witnessed other periods of tumult in their lives — laughed. "Where would we escape? Who is waiting for us there?" he remembers them saying. "The Russians are coming soon, they tell us that this is Russia now and we will go on with our lives."
So Servetnyk decided to stay and resist. Many of Kherson's bakers had either fled or gone into hiding, so Servetynyk turned his pizza restaurant into a bakery, and began making thousands of loaves of bread. To feed more people, he also roped in other bakers and distributed their bread, too.
"We did not escape, did not leave, but rather started saving people as best as we could," he says.
Read the full story:
Zelensky calls detention of Melitopol mayor a "crime against democracy"
From CNN's Jennifer Hauser
The detention of the mayor of the southeastern Ukrainian city of Melitopol is a "crime against democracy," Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday in a video posted on Facebook.
Earier Friday, Melitopol mayor Ivan Fedorov was seen on video being led away from a government building in the city by armed men. A short time later, the Russian-backed Luhansk regional prosecutor claimed Fedorov had committed terrorism offenses and was under investigation.
Fedorov's detention was "a sign of the weakness of the invaders," Zelensky said.
"They did not find any support on our land, although they counted on it. Because for years they've been lying to themselves that people in Ukraine were supposedly waiting for Russia to come.
"This is Ukraine here. It is Europe here. It is a democratic world here."
Zelensky added that the mayor's detention was "not only against a particular person, not only against a particular community and not only against Ukraine."
"This is a crime against democracy," he said.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry called the detention of Fedorov a "war crime," saying the Geneva Convention prohibits civilian hostages from being taken.
Explosions heard in Kyiv as Russian troops press closer to Ukraine's capital
CNN teams in Kyiv reported hearing explosions in the early hours of Saturday morning, with chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward describing "a nonstop volley ... of just heavy booms in the distance," continuing for several minutes.
It's not clear whether the explosions were Russian or Ukrainian strikes, she said.
Fighting is continuing on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, with the city's administration saying areas to the north remain the most dangerous, including the suburbs of Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel, as well as the district of Vyshorod further north of Kyiv. Fighting has also escalated in Brovary, across the Dnieper River, east of the city.
As Russian forces press in from several directions, "the worry becomes ... that the intention is to fully surround the city, to starve the city, to bombard the city and then ultimately to try to overthrow (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky's government," Ward said.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko told CNN the city currently only has resources — including food and medical supplies — for one to two weeks.
CNN's Ward added that "Ukrainian forces are everywhere" in Kyiv. "They have dug up defensive positions along all the main thoroughfares leading into the city, they've put tank traps around. This is a heavily fortified city now. And even if Russian forces are enable to encircle it, it will still be an almighty battle for them to get to the heart of it."