Invasion of Ukraine Developments

Battle for Kyiv

Ukrainian soldiers beat back a Russian attack in the capital Kyiv only hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky warns Moscow would attempt to take the city before dawn. He has said at press briefing that his country will triumph over Russian forces. A day before, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the Ukrainian army to overthrow the government.

West sending weapons

Zelensky says "weapons and equipment from our partners are on the way to Ukraine" after talking to French President Emmanuel Macron, while Prague is sending automatic and sniper rifles, pistols and ammunition valued at 7.6 million euros ($8.6 million). Us also to release $350 million in military aid to Ukraine.

SWIFT decision soon

A decision to cut Russia off from the global SWIFT payment system will be taken in a matter of days, the governor of a central bank within the euro zone told Reuters. The United States and the European Union add Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to their sanctions list. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also says he is planning "imminent" sanctions against them.

'3,500 Russian soldiers killed'

According to a post on Ukrainian military's Facebook page, more than 3,500 Russian soldiers involved in the invasion have been killed and almost 200 taken prisoner. They add that Russia has also lost 14 aircraft, eight helicopters, and 102 tanks so far. The BBC is unable to independently verify any of these claims. Russia has so far not acknowledged any casualties.

No 'war' or 'invasion'

Russia orders its media to remove reports describing its attack on Ukraine as an "assault, invasion, or declaration of war" or face being blocked and fined.

Couple readies for war hours after marriage

Ukrainian citizens Yaryna Arieva and Sviatoslav Fursin got married just hours after Russia launched its invasion of their country. They spent their first day as a married couple collecting their rifles and getting ready to defend Ukraine. It was supposed to be a May wedding, but the couple were no longer sure of what their future holds. Arieva and Fursin have both signed up with the Territorial Defense Forces, a branch of Ukraine's armed forces that is comprised mostly of volunteers. Once armed, the couple headed to the office of their political party, the European Solidarity.