Live Updates Russia-Ukraine war | Russian forces gained no tactical advantage, we’re winning, says Ukraine

We have met today to discuss the gravest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades. We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, enabled by Belarus. We call on Russia to immediately cease its military assault, to withdraw all its forces from Ukraine and to turn back from the path of aggression it has chosen.

This long-planned attack on Ukraine, an independent, peaceful and democratic country, is brutal and wholly unprovoked and unjustified. We deplore the tragic loss of life, enormous human suffering and destruction caused by Russia’s actions.

Peace on the European continent has been fundamentally shattered. The world will hold Russia, as well as Belarus, accountable for their actions. We call on all states to condemn this unconscionable attack unreservedly.

No one should be fooled by the Russian government’s barrage of lies.

Russia bears full responsibility for this conflict. It has rejected the path of diplomacy and dialogue repeatedly offered to it by NATO and Allies. It has fundamentally violated international law, including the UN Charter.

Russia’s actions are also a flagrant rejection of the principles enshrined in the NATO-Russia Founding Act: it is Russia that has walked away from its commitments under the Act. President Putin’s decision to attack Ukraine is a terrible strategic mistake, for which Russia will pay a severe price, both economically and politically, for years to come.

Massive and unprecedented sanctions have already been imposed on Russia. NATO will continue to coordinate closely with relevant stakeholders and other international organisations including the EU.  At the invitation of the Secretary General, we were joined today by Finland, Sweden and the European Union.

We stand in full solidarity with the democratically elected president, parliament and government of Ukraine and with the brave people of Ukraine who are now defending their homeland.

Our thoughts are with all those killed, injured and displaced by Russia’s aggression, and with their families.

NATO remains committed to all the foundational principles underpinning European security, including that each nation has the right to choose its own security arrangements.  We will continue to provide political and practical support to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself and call on others to do the same.

We reaffirm our unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, including its territorial waters. This principled position will never change.

In light of Russia’s actions, we will draw all the necessary consequences for NATO’s deterrence and defence posture. Allies have held consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty. We will continue to take all measures and decisions required to ensure the security and defence of all Allies.

We have deployed defensive land and air forces in the eastern part of the Alliance, and maritime assets across the NATO area. We have activated NATO’s defence plans to prepare ourselves to respond to a range of contingencies and secure Alliance territory, including by drawing on our response forces.

We are now making significant additional defensive deployments of forces to the eastern part of the Alliance. We will make all deployments necessary to ensure strong and credible deterrence and defence across the Alliance, now and in the future.

Our measures are and remain preventive, proportionate and non-escalatory. Our commitment to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty is iron-clad. We stand united to protect and defend all Allies. Freedom will always win over oppression.

Gunfire and explosions reported in Kyiv as Ukraine’s leader accuses Putin of waging “war against Europe”

Explosions from what Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called “horrific Russian rocket strikes” were heard in Ukraine’s capital on Friday morning amid unverified reports that the fighting had already reached the heart of Kyiv. Videos posted online showed what residents said were Russian tanks driving through their city, and gunfire and air raid sirens were heard in the capital.

Appearing on television from an undisclosed location, Ukraine’s president warned the world that Vladimir Putin was attacking not only his country, but waging “a war against Europe,” and he said the West wasn’t doing enough to stop it.

Ukrainian officials say they’re fighting on multiple fronts to repel a “full-scale invasion,” and President Joe Biden has accused Putin of choosing to carry out “a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.”

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov doubled down Friday on Putin’s claim that the invasion was necessary to “demilitarize” Ukraine’s Western-backed government, which the Kremlin has labeled a “Nazi cell.” Lavrov said after Ukraine was “liberated from this burden, Ukrainians will have the chance to freely choose their future.”

But CBS News’ Haley Ott reports that Ukrainians are rushing to back up their country’s military forces, hoping to prevent any future on Russia’s terms.

Ott said people streamed into a makeshift recruitment center in Kyiv on Friday morning, saying they were ready to die to defend their city. One commander said thousands had reported for duty — very few of them with military experience. Guns were being distributed to those who showed up, and the commander said they were quickly running out.

Ukraine’s president said at least 137 people were killed in the first day of Russia’s assault, and with fighting reportedly reaching downtown Kyiv, that was likely to rise quickly.

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE updates: Putin tells Ukrainian army to seize power; heavy clashes on in Kyiv

India is planning to stage another evacuation as Russian troops continue pressing their offensive with loud explosions rocking Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Intense fighting has also raged in the country’s east.

The regional governor, Dmytro Zhivitsky, has said that Russian convoys have kept rolling west toward the Ukrainian capital.India is exploring ways to set up a rupee payment mechanism for trade with Russia to soften the blow on New Delhi of Western sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, government and banking sources said.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed dissatisfaction over the western coalition’s efforts against Moscow.Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, claiming it’s intended to protect civilians.

Ukraine has asked South Korea for support in the face of mounting cybersecurity attacks on government infrastructure.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government, which has yet to be recognised by any country, has called for restraint from both sides and said it was concerned about civilian casualties in Ukraine.

Russia’s foreign minister Sergiy Lavrov dismissed Ukraine’s offer to negotiate, claiming Zelenskyy was “lying”.