Civilians in Kyiv are being urged to seek shelter amid reports of street fighting.

• The fighting that occurred two days ago resulted in hundreds of casualties and damaged numerous bridges, schools, and apartment buildings.
• It was unclear in the fog of war how much of Ukraine remained under Ukrainian control and how much or little Russian forces had seized.
• The Kremlin agreed to negotiate with Kyiv, but it seemed like a ploy to extract more concessions from Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rather than a step towards a diplomatic resolution.

On Saturday morning, Russian troops advanced towards Ukraine's capital, resulting in street battles. City officials urged residents to seek shelter, but Ukraine's president rejected an American proposal to evacuate, declaring, "The battle is here."

The clashes that occurred two days after the fighting resulted in hundreds of casualties and destroyed bridges, schools, and apartment buildings. According to U.S. officials, Russian President Vladimir Putin is determined to overthrow Ukraine's government and establish his own regime.

Putin's boldest effort to redraw the world map and revive Moscow's Cold War-era influence was represented by the assault. This triggered new international efforts to end the invasion, including direct sanctions on Putin.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a cease-fire as his country faced explosions and gunfire, with the fate of Kyiv uncertain. In a somber statement, he announced that several cities were under attack.

"Tonight, Ukraine's fate is being decided, and we must remain steadfast," he stated.

According to a senior American intelligence official, Zelenskyy rejected the U.S. government's request to evacuate Kyiv, with the president stating that "the fight is here" and he required anti-tank ammunition, not a ride.

Kyiv city officials advised residents to seek refuge, keep away from windows, and take safety measures to avoid flying debris or gunfire.

The Kremlin agreed to negotiate with Kyiv, but it seemed like a ploy to extract more concessions from Zelenskyy rather than a step towards a diplomatic resolution.

Despite the Russian military's continued advance, it remains unclear how much of Ukraine is still under Ukrainian control and how much or little Russian forces have seized, as the situation remains murky in the fog of war.

An II-76 Russian transport plane carrying paratroopers was shot down by Ukraine's military near Vasylkiv, 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Kyiv. The number of people on board was not specified. These planes can carry up to 125 paratroopers.

Near Bila Tserkva, 50 miles (85 kilometers) south of Kyiv, a second Russian military transport plane was shot down, as confirmed by two American officials with direct knowledge of the situation in Ukraine.

The Russian military has not commented on either plane.

The imposition of stricter sanctions on Russia by the U.S. and other global powers intensified as the invasion caused ripples throughout the world economy and energy supplies, potentially leading to a further impact on ordinary households. According to U.N. officials, millions of people could be forced to flee Ukraine. In response, sports leagues imposed penalties on Russia, and the Eurovision song contest barred it from participating in the May finals in Italy.

Despite the U.N. Security Council's demand for Russia to stop attacking Ukraine and withdraw troops, Russia remained resolute and vetoed the resolution. The U.S. and its supporters believed that the veto would underscore Moscow's international isolation. The 11-1 vote, with China, India, and the United Arab Emirates abstaining, demonstrated partial opposition to Russia's invasion of its smaller, militarily weaker neighbor.

For the first time, NATO decided to send parts of its response force to protect its member nations in the east. The alliance did not specify the number of troops to be deployed, but stated that it would involve land, sea, and air power.

On the second day of Russia's invasion, the largest ground war in Europe since World War II, the focus was on the Ukrainian capital. Explosions were heard by Associated Press reporters before dawn, and gunfire was reported in various locations.

In the evening near Maidan Nezalezhnosti, the central Kyiv square that was the focal point of protests resulting in the 2014 ouster of a pro-Kremlin president, a loud explosion occurred. The reason behind it remains unclear.

Near a major power plant on Kyiv's eastern outskirts, five explosions occurred, as stated by Mayor Vitaly Klitschko. No details were provided on the cause of the explosions, and no immediate electrical outages were reported.

Ukrainian officials reported at least 137 deaths on their side from the first full day of fighting, while Russian authorities did not release any casualty figures.

Up to 4 million people could flee if the fighting escalates, according to U.N. officials who reported 25 civilian deaths, mostly from shelling and airstrikes, and said that 100,000 people were believed to have left their homes.

Zelenskyy stated on Twitter that he had a phone conversation with U.S. President Biden about enhancing sanctions, providing defense aid, and forming an antiwar coalition.

On Friday, Biden approved up to $350 million in additional security aid for Ukraine, increasing the total security assistance provided to Ukraine over the past year to $1 billion. The speed at which the aid will be disbursed is not yet clear.

Zelenskyy's whereabouts were kept secret after he informed European leaders in a call on Thursday that he was Russia's top priority and that they might not see him alive again. His office later released a video of him standing with senior aides outside the presidential office, stating that he and other government officials would remain in the capital.

Earlier, Zelenskyy proposed to negotiate on Putin's demand that Ukraine declare neutrality and abandon its goal of joining NATO. The Kremlin initially agreed to talks in Minsk, but later preferred Warsaw and eventually halted communication. Later, Zakharova stated that Kyiv would discuss the prospects for talks on Saturday.

Putin denied the anticipated assault for weeks, arguing that the West left him with no other choice by refusing to negotiate Russia's security demands.

Putin urged Ukraine's military to surrender, stating that it would be easier to agree with them than with the "drug addicts and neo-Nazis" who have taken the entire Ukrainian people hostage in Kyiv.

The Kremlin links Ukrainian right-wing groups to neo-Nazis, which Zelenskyy, a Jew, vehemently denies.

Putin has not revealed his final plans for Ukraine. Lavrov hinted that Russia wants the Ukrainian people to decide their own future. Peskov stated that Russia recognizes Zelenskyy as president but did not specify how long the military operation would continue.

As Russian forces invaded Ukraine from three sides, Ukrainians quickly adapted to life under attack, with an estimated 150,000 troops massing nearby.

A fire was ignited in a Kyiv apartment building after Russian shelling tore off part of the building.

Russian forces were questioned by resident Yurii Zhyhanov, who inquired, "What are you doing? What is this?" As many Ukrainians did, he hastily gathered his belongings, took his mother, and escaped, with car alarms blaring in the background.

In Kyiv, a soldier's corpse was discovered near an underpass, while remnants of a crashed aircraft billowed smoke among residential homes. Black plastic covered the remains of the body parts found nearby. Following another day of turmoil, individuals emerged from bomb shelters, basements, and subways to confront the unrest.

Lucy Vashaka, a 20-year-old worker at a small Kyiv hotel, stated, "We're all scared and worried. We don't know what to do then, what's going to happen in a few days."

John Kirby, the press secretary at the Pentagon, stated that the U.S. believes the offensive, including its advance on Kiev, has progressed more slowly than Moscow had planned. He added that Ukraine forces have been fighting back. However, Kirby emphasized that the military campaign is still in its early stages and circumstances can change rapidly.

The Biden administration announced on Friday that it would freeze the assets of Putin and Lavrov, in line with the EU and Britain's decision to directly sanction top Russian leadership.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Zakharova, characterized the sanctions against Putin and Lavrov as a display of the West's complete ineffectiveness.