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Maps of Ukraine and Russia show Russian invasion


Russian military forces moved closer to Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital city, on Friday, the second day of the invasion. Explosions and gunfire were reported near the city before dawn.

Read more about the invasion: Biden details new Russian sanctions, says 'aggression cannot go unanswered'.

Ukraine says 13 soldiers were killed after refusing to surrender on Snake Island

Thirteen Ukrainian border guards stationed on Snake Island, a strategic small outpost in the Black Sea, were reportedly killed after a Russian warship asked them to surrender. A border guard responded with an expletive before being bombed, according to unverified audio. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said all 13 will be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine posthumously.

Read more about Snake Island: Ukrainian soldier on Snake Island tells Russian officer 'go (expletive) yourself' before being killed.

Russia demands NATO exclude Ukraine

NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a major factor in Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine, which wants to join NATO and the European Union. Other former Soviet republics have joined NATO over the years, and Putin is against Ukraine’s inclusion. In diplomatic talks, he demanded assurances from NATO that it wouldn’t admit Ukraine. NATO said the decision is up to Ukraine.

Read more about Russian security demands: Why is Russia invading Ukraine? Could it be the start of WWIII? Here's what we know.

Putin declares Ukraine Donbas regions as independent republics

The Donbas region in eastern Ukraine has been divided by Russia-backed militants since 2014, when Russia illegally annexed Crimea. These forces control the “people’s republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk. Putin recognized both as independent republics Feb. 21, then sent Russian troops into them for “peacekeeping duties.”

Read more about Donbas: What is Donbas and how does it fit into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?.

Airports attacked, Ukraine cancels all civilian air travel

Russian forces attacked Boryspil International Airport, near the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Ukraine closed its airspace to commercial flights, saying Russian missile attacks presented too high a risk. Reuters reported the airport was evacuated. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Texas, said on Twitter that Russia wants the airport as a base of operations.

Russian troops capture Chernobyl nuclear power plant

The closed plant is the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster. A reactor core melted down in April 1986, releasing radioactive particles into the air and across Europe. The Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted, “If Russia continues the war, Chornobyl can happen again in 2022.”

Central European nations prepare for Ukrainian refugees

The list of nations planning to take in Ukrainian refugees fleeing invading Russian includes former members of the USSR and countries formerly allied with or occupied by Russia:

  • Czech Republic (formerly occupied by Russia)
  • Estonia (former member of USSR) 
  • Hungary (formerly occupied by Russia)
  • Latvia (former member of USSR) 
  • Lithuania (former member of USSR) 
  • Moldova (former member of USSR) 
  • Poland (formerly occupied by Russia)
  • Romania (formerly occupied by USSR) 
  • Slovakia (formerly occupied by Russia)

These nations and others are braced for a massive flood of refugees, Reuters and other sources reported. As many as 5 million could leave the country.

SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; The Associated Press

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