The US, Canada, France, Italy, UK, Germany and the European Commission decided to disconnect Russian banks from the SWIFT global remittance system in an effort to escalate Western sanctions on Russia; Russia is waging a military war on neighbouring Ukraine.
Fierce fighting continues on all fronts as Russia’s military operation enters its fourth day, with sirens blaring after a fresh round of Russian bombing in the capital Kiev.
Politically, European foreign ministers are expected to discuss on Sunday a collective agreement to provide financial and military support to Kiev while raising the level of economic sanctions on Russia, including closing European airspace to Aeroflot.
The Greek foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to Athens after 10 civilians of Greek origin were killed by Russian shelling near the Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
To view developments on the third day (Saturday) of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, click here.
Here’s an update on Sunday, the fourth day of the Russian invasion:
Putin orders nuclear deterrent on high alert after NATO statement of hostility
AFP: French Football Federation president calls for ban on Russia from 2022 World Cup
WSJ: Ukrainian Air Force Reveals Using Turkish-Made Drones to Hit Russian Targets
The New York Times: Spain uses two largest transport planes to send military equipment to Ukraine
Norway announces intention to close its airspace to Russian planes and airlines
Al Jazeera reporter: Explosion heard near central Kiev
France announces intention to close its airspace to Aeroflot starting tonight
Smoke rises from Vasilkiev in Kiev region
Assistant to the President of Russia: Ukraine has agreed to hold talks in Belarus, our delegation will travel from Minsk to Gomel
Ukrainian Gas Pipeline Operator: After explosion near Kharkiv facility, gas transport is still operating normally
Ukraine’s Interior Ministry: Russian ships violated international maritime law under cover of anti-terrorist operation
Ukrainian Interior Ministry: Russian Navy seizes two Ukrainian warships, captures 50 civilian crew members
Interfax: Ukraine temporarily closes border crossings with Russia, Belarus and Moldova from midnight
Mass demonstrations in Germany’s capital Berlin against Russia’s war on Ukraine
German government: welcomes Japan’s decision to join the ranks of countries sanctioning Russia
Ukrainian media: Two Russian helicopters shot down north of Kiev
Macron in statement with G7 leaders: We will work together to make Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a strategic failure for Putin
Statement from G7 leaders: We commit to create a transatlantic task force to secure financial sanctions against Russia
G7 statement: We will exclude some Russian banks from SWIFT system
Belarusian President: How the Belarusian Territory Has Not Launched an Attack on Ukraine
Belarusian president: I discussed the response to the Ukraine threat with President Putin
Belarusian president: 3 missiles fired from Belarusian territory towards Ukraine
Belarus President: Ukrainian troops are on our borders, we must defend our country
Northern Ukrainian Forces Command: Destroy a Russian military convoy near the city of Chernihiv in the north of the country
Kremlin: Putin tells Bennett Russia is ready for talks in Belarus, says Ukraine did not take advantage
Putin: Russian special forces must always be ready to defend the country
Kremlin: Israeli PM proposes Tel Aviv mediation to Putin in phone call to halt military action
Ukrainian media: Russian hackers hijack two Ukrainian ships with civilian crews
Macron: I ask the Belarusian president to ensure the withdrawal of Russian troops from his country
Russia gives Ukraine until 3 p.m. local time to determine its position on talks in Gomel, Belarus
Polish embassy in Paris: 187,000 people have crossed the border between Ukraine and Poland since the start of the Russian aggression
Borrell: We will impose tougher sanctions on Russia during EU foreign ministers meeting scheduled for today
Reuters quoted Italian PM’s office: Rome will close its airspace to Russian planes
Ukrainian media: Vandals are trying to hinder the operation of the Kiev railway line, the police are working to repair
Pope Francis: Urgent need to open humanitarian corridors to help Ukrainian refugees
Mayor of Irpin, Ukraine: We were able to repel the attack by the Russian army and regain control of the city
Reuters quoted the governor of Kharkiv: The Ukrainian army has complete control of the city.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: We shot down a cruise missile fired from Belarus to Kiev today.
Ukrainian President: We have submitted a complaint against Russia to the International Court of Justice and we expect the trial to begin next week.
President of Ukraine: We demand an urgent decision to order Russia to cease its military activities now.
President of Ukraine: We have submitted a complaint against Russia to the International Court of Justice.
UN: The number of refugees in Ukraine has exceeded 368,000 and continues to rise.
Al Jazeera: At dawn today, the Russian army conducted an airdrop operation in the area between the capital Kiev and the city of Dnieper.
German Transport Minister: We will close our airspace to Russian planes starting this afternoon.
Pro-Russian separatists: We captured two new towns in the Luhansk region.
German Chancellor: We must remain united with our NATO partners against Russia.
Chairman of the Kharkiv Committee: The battle with the Russian army in the city center continues and we are making progress.
German Chancellor: It is clear that Putin does not want to keep the diplomacy and dialogue with Russia open.
Reuters quoted diplomats: The IAEA Board of Governors is holding an emergency meeting on Ukraine.
Scholz says Putin is trying to restore Russian empire (Reuters)German Chancellor: Putin’s war on Ukraine leads to higher oil prices, which will support its consumers.
German Chancellor: The collapse of the Russian market confirms that our sanctions are effective.
German Chancellor: We need cybersecurity to deal with cyberattacks on our society
German Chancellor: Putin will not stop using force, measures we have taken help to unify our position
UN: At least 64 civilians killed since Russia launched attack on Ukraine
Turkish Presidential Palace: We reiterate our call to Russia to immediately stop the attacks and start ceasefire talks
German Chancellor: Putin tries to restore Russian Empire and wants new world order
UK foreign secretary: We will push for EU ban on Russia at foreign ministers meeting
German Chancellor: We will defend every square metre of our allies and we are serious about it
German Chancellor: Putin launches war of aggression against Kiev because Ukrainian freedoms ignore his authoritarian regime
Ukrainian News Agency: Russian tanks bombed a civilian bus in Sumy region and blocked the arrival of ambulances
German Chancellor: We stand with Ukraine and all those who stood up to Putin
German Chancellor: Russia’s attack on Ukraine is a turning point in the history of our continent
German Chancellor: Putin won’t change his policies, but Russian leaders will feel the heavy price to be paid
Al Jazeera reporter: Belgium closes airspace to Aeroflot
German Chancellor: Putin has created a new reality that requires a clear response, we will hand over weapons to Ukraine
Icelandic foreign minister: We have decided to close our airspace to Russian air traffic in solidarity with Ukraine
Chinese Foreign Minister: Sanctions on Russia will not only cause economic damage to Moscow and the West, but also hinder political solution
UK foreign secretary: I support calls for those who want to fight to go to Ukraine, including Britons
Ukrainian Air Force: We have received a large number of air-to-air missiles from Western partners
Reuters quoted Ukraine’s deputy defense minister: Since the start of the invasion, Russia has lost about 146 tanks
(Al Jazeera)EU: Foreign ministers meet today to discuss further measures to counter Russian attack
Ukraine’s presidential adviser: Russia’s willingness to hold talks with Ukraine is evidence of its plan’s failure
Adviser to the President of Ukraine: We have noticed a slowdown in the progress of Russian troops in Ukraine
Adviser to the President of Ukraine: The Russian plan has not been realized, and the Russian army has made no progress in the south
Ukrainian presidential adviser: We destroyed half of Russian vehicles entering Kharkiv
Explosion in Ukraine’s capital Kiev
Ukrainian News Agency: Russian soldiers killed in a drone strike at Gustmel airport
International Judo Federation suspends Putin’s honorary president title amid Putin’s military campaign against Ukraine
Images released by Ukrainian media say Ukrainian troops have captured a Russian military commander
Ukrainian foreign minister: We beat Hitler together in the past, we can beat Putin again
Ukraine’s foreign minister: I invite those who wish to join us in this battle to speak to our diplomatic corps in their country
Reuters quoted European officials: Not all EU member states are in favor of Ukraine joining the EU
Separatists in Donetsk: our troops take control of 4 new towns in the center of Volnovaka
FT: Russians turn to ATMs after Western decision to exclude some Russian banks from SWIFT system
Danish foreign ministry tells Al Jazeera: Danish airspace closed to Russian planes
Russian Presidential Assistant: If Ukrainian negotiating delegation decides to come to Belarus, Russia guarantees its safety
Ukrainian Armed Forces: Russian troops focus on siege of Kiev’s Polesia and Seversky regions
Al Jazeera cameras observe Russian reinforcements crossing border to Ukrainian territory
Reuters: EU officials say most EU countries have closed their airspace to Russia, with more expected to join
Chief of Staff of Ukraine: More than 3,000 Russian soldiers were killed, more than 200 were captured, 16 aircraft and 102 tanks were destroyed
Ukraine Chief of Staff: We have destroyed dozens of Russian planes, helicopters and tanks, the enemy has lost the initiative
RIA Novosti: Russian delegation will wait until 3 p.m. to confirm whether Ukraine will join Gomel talks
Reuters: Ukrainian presidential adviser says their troops destroyed half of Russian vehicles entering Kharkiv
Ukraine chief of staff: Russian invaders are trying to use helicopters to attack Ukraine’s infrastructure and we are fighting them
Reuters: Ukrainian presidential adviser says the enemy has lost the initiative, as the development of the Belarus talks proves
Reuters: Ukrainian presidential adviser says he sees no Russian military progress in south of the country
UK foreign secretary: We must make sacrifices now and it will cost the economy
UK foreign secretary: If we don’t stop Putin now, conflict will spread to Baltic states, Poland and Moldova
Ukrainian army commander: Bayraktar drone destroys Russian army convoy in Kherson region
Central Bank of Russia: We have sufficient resources to support the stability of the Russian financial sector and ensure its proper functioning
UK foreign secretary: If Russians negotiate seriously, they should withdraw from Ukraine
Ukrainian Interior Ministry official: It’s dangerous to leave Kiev, it’s better to stay at home, stay in a shelter
Belarus President: The only beneficiary of the situation in Ukraine is the US, which wants to knock out its rivals Russia and China
UK foreign secretary: What’s happening could be the beginning of Putin’s end
Belarus President: Ukrainian propaganda about piles of dead Russian soldiers is fake news
Belarus President: I call on Ukraine not to seek nuclear weapons and agree to Russia’s terms
British Foreign Secretary: I’m afraid this conflict will be very bloody, we must prepare for the possibility of Russia using worse weapons
UK foreign secretary: Ukrainian army continues to resist Russian advance with strength and courage
UK foreign secretary: We must do all we can to support Ukrainian resistance, we are the first to provide defensive weapons
UK Foreign Secretary: We have imposed sanctions hard, but it will take time for their impact to show up
Kremlin: Ukrainian side chose Belarusian city of Gomel as negotiating venue
Irish Foreign Minister: We will close our airspace to all Russian aircraft and we encourage our European partners to do the same
Reuters quoted Kremlin spokesman: We warned Ukraine that we will not stop military operations in upcoming talks
RIA Novosti: Belarusian president calls on Kiev to negotiate with Russia if it wants to maintain its presence as a state
RIA Novosti: Belarusian president invites Kiev for talks if it wants to maintain its presence as a state
Korosten administration in northwestern Ukraine: 1 civilian and 2 policemen killed, 3 wounded in confrontation with Russian troops
Al Jazeera reporter: Evacuation of Arab students from Ukraine has begun
Zelensky: Residents of cities like Vasilkov, Kiev, Chibenigov, Sumy, Kharkiv are living a similar life today as they did during World War II
Zelensky: The world must deny Russia the right to vote in the UN Security Council
Zelensky: Russia’s crimes against Ukrainians bear signs of genocide
Zelensky: Russia occupied Ukraine in revenge, they deliberately chose tactics to hurt people
Zelensky: We are open to dialogue in other places where there is no hostility to Ukraine
Zelensky: There is not a single headquarters in Ukraine that is not targeted by the occupying forces, they are fighting against everyone
Zelensky: We want Belarus to be as safe as we think it is, to make decisions independent of Russia
BREAKING | Zelensky: We refuse to hold talks in Minsk
Anadolu Agency: Zelensky suggested negotiating with Russia in Istanbul, Warsaw, Baku or Budapest, not in Belarus
Ukraine’s foreign minister: I call on those who wish to defend Ukraine to communicate with the Ukrainian diplomatic corps
Reuters: Ukrainian presidential adviser says Russian delegation knew it would be pointless to go to Gomel
Reuters: Zelensky says he is open to dialogue in other places that are not aggressive towards Ukraine
Reuters: Zelensky says Minsk talks could have been held had Russia not attacked Ukraine from Belarus
Reuters: Zelensky says occupation forces are attacking civilian areas without military infrastructure
Reuters: Zelensky says Russian occupying forces are attacking everything, even ambulances
Reuters: Zelensky said last night’s fighting was brutal, civilians and infrastructure were bombed
AFP: Fighting on the streets of Kharkov, Ukraine
Kremlin: Russian delegation ready to negotiate with Ukraine in Belarusian city of Gomel
Kremlin: Russian delegation arrives in Belarus to prepare for negotiations with Ukraine, including officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense and the Presidency
Kremlin: Russian delegation arrives in Belarus, ready to negotiate with Ukrainians
Portuguese Ministry of Defense: At Kiev’s request, we will provide military assistance to Ukraine
AFP: Finland closes airspace to Russian planes
Ukrainian Navy: We obstructed the landing of naval paratroopers of the Russian army during our operation in the Black Sea region
Al Jazeera reporter: At dawn today, the Russian army carried out an airdrop operation in the area between the capital Kiev and the city of Dnipro
Ukrainian army commander: our air defense system shot down a winged missile fired by a Belarusian TU-22 aircraft in Kiev
Russian Ministry of Defense: Our army once again launched winged missiles from ships and warplanes at Ukrainian military installations
Council of Sumy Oblast, Northeastern Ukraine: Russian troops are trying to raid the city from Kim Prom’s side
Al Jazeera reporter: Since the start of the operation, the Luhansk separatists have penetrated the defense lines of the Ukrainian army to a depth of 52 kilometers
Russian Defense Ministry: Ukrainian extremists attack Mariupol suburbs and a school
Russian Ministry of Defense: We destroyed 31 S-300 air defense systems of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Russian Ministry of Defense: Two Dot-U tactical missiles, 223 tanks and 8 fighter planes were destroyed
Reuters: Zelensky says he will open doors for foreigners from outside Ukraine to volunteer
Al Jazeera reporter: Minutes after the siren went off, an explosion was heard in Kiev
Chairman of the Kharkiv Regional Committee: the surrender of our soldiers is not real, we are fighting fierce battles with Russian troops in the city
Russian Defense Ministry: We have taken control of Chernobayevka Airport near Kherson in southern Ukraine
Russian Defense Ministry: We destroyed 975 Ukrainian military infrastructure
Reuters: The Russian Defense Ministry says its forces are besieging the cities of Kherson and Berdyansk in southern Ukraine
Ukrainian ambassador to Austria: Fierce fighting in Kharkiv city
Reuters: Adviser to Ukraine’s interior minister says Russian troops are entering Kharkiv city
Chairman of the Kharkiv Regional Committee: The entry of Russian troops into the city is being dealt with
Mayor of the southern Ukraine city of Nikolayev: Despite the existence of subversive groups, the city is completely under the control of the Ukrainian army
Ukrainian Nuclear Monitoring Service: Russia bombed a Kiev warehouse storing nuclear waste while workers were inside
Ukrainian Defense Minister: 72 hours of resistance never stopped, Ukrainians continue to fight against Russian occupiers
Head of Civil Affairs Bureau of Sumy Oblast, east of Kiev: 6 Ukrainians, including 1 girl, killed in Russian attack on Akhtarka
Deputy Mayor of Kiev: The capital witnessed multiple clashes with subversive groups during the night
(Al Jazeera)Deputy Mayor of Kiev: The situation in the capital is calm, the city is under Ukrainian control
Reuters: Google says it will block ads from Russian state media
Al Jazeera reporter: Warehouses in the Ukrainian capital Kiev’s Vaslikiv district were shelled
Local media: Ukrainian PM calls on PayPal and Rakuten to stop e-payment services in Russia
ASEAN foreign ministers: We believe that there is still room for peaceful dialogue to prevent the situation in Ukraine from getting out of control
ASEAN foreign ministers: We are deeply concerned about armed hostilities in Ukraine
SWIFT System Management Board: We are preparing to comply with legal directives to sanction Russia
SWIFT System Management Board: Details of our dialogue with European authorities concerning Russian entities subject to new measures
SWIFT System Management Board: We are preparing to comply with new legal directives on Russian financial sanctions
Head of the SWIFT system: We are preparing to implement new legal directives on Russian financial sanctions.
Ukrainian News Agency: Ukrainian troops shot down seven helicopters, four planes and destroyed a Russian convoy.
CNN: Russia pushed more heavy military equipment towards the Ukrainian border tonight than the previous two nights.
Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office Statement: The Prime Minister strongly condemns the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and calls for dialogue between all parties.
The Washington Post stated on Facebook: 10,000 Russian IT workers call for an end to the war on Ukraine.
Al Jazeera: The Ukrainian authorities have accused the Russian army of blowing up a gas pipeline in the town of Danikova in Kharkiv.
Al Jazeera: According to the official Ukrainian news agency, a woman was killed and 60 civilians were injured in an explosion at a residential building in Kharkiv.
Al Jazeera reporter: There was a huge explosion in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.
Prime Minister of Ukraine: Thank you for imposing a new package of financial sanctions on Russia.
Al Jazeera: Heavy and medium weapons clashed in the north and west of Ukraine’s capital Kiev.
Emergencies (Al Jazeera)NBC quoted US officials: Russian banks previously sanctioned will be excluded from the SWIFT system first.
NBC quoted US officials: Most international banks will stop doing business with Russian banks that have been excluded from the SWIFT system.
Al Jazeera sources: A fuel depot in the city of Kasiriyev, south of the Ukrainian capital Kiev, was bombed.
Russian Embassy in Greece: We deny that Russian troops were involved in the bombing of Greek civilians in Ukraine’s Donbas region.
UK PM Boris Johnson: We will continue to work together to ensure Putin pays the price for his aggression.
Johnson: We have taken action with our partners to withdraw Russia from the international system, including withdrawing Russian banks from the SWIFT system.
CNN quoted defense officials as saying that the Russian military operations are facing stubborn resistance, and the supply lines are obviously weak.
CNN quoted a defense official: Russia has not yet achieved air superiority over Ukraine and still suffers from resistance from Ukraine’s air defense system.
CNN quoted U.S. officials: Ukraine’s air defense system performed better than U.S. intelligence expected.
CNN quoted US officials: Russian military personnel, equipment and aircraft suffered heavy losses, exceeding expectations.
Joint Statement: We are committed to targeting individuals and entities supporting Russian military operations in Ukraine.
Joint statement: We are committed to taking measures to prevent the Central Bank of Russia from using its foreign exchange reserves.
Statement: The US, Canada, France, Italy, the UK, Germany and the European Commission are excluding Russian banks from the SWIFT system.
RIA Novosti: Finland’s ambassador to the US announced that Finland will close its airspace to Aeroflot.
Al Jazeera: There was a serious exchange of fire in the capital Kiev.
European Commission President: We will coordinate with the US, Germany, France and Italy to exclude Russian banks from the SWIFT system.
European Commission President: Our measures will prevent wealthy Russians from using their money in European financial markets.
European Commission President: We will weaken Putin’s ability to finance his war machine.
President of the European Commission: We will freeze the assets of the Russian central bank so that it cannot be liquidated.
European Commission President: Some Russian banks will be excluded from the global banking system SWIFT.
What is the SWIFT financial system (Al Jazeera)Greece’s foreign ministry: Russia’s ambassador to Athens has been summoned after 10 civilians of Greek origin were killed in a Russian bombing near Mariupol.
French Presidential Palace: President Macron in a phone call asked the Belarusian president to expel Russian troops from his country’s territory.
Ukrainian MP: In the capital, Kiev, the next hour could be tough.
Greek PM: 10 civilians of Greek origin were killed near the city of Mariupol in southern Ukraine due to a Russian raid.
Al Jazeera: Due to the possible attack, the Ukrainian authorities asked residents of the capital, Kiev, to go to shelters.
Al Jazeera: Explosions were heard in Oberon, Hostomer, Butcha and Polcavik near Kiev.
Bloomberg Expert: Sanctions on Russia’s central bank could lead to a complete collapse of Russia’s financial system.
German Transport Minister: I have ordered preparations to close German airspace to Russian aircraft.
Financial Times: Washington is considering sanctions on Russia’s central bank to prevent Moscow from using its foreign exchange reserves.
Al Jazeera: European foreign ministers will discuss on Sunday a collective agreement to provide financial and military support to Kiev.
Al Jazeera: European foreign ministers will discuss the closure of European airspace to Aeroflot on Sunday.
Al Jazeera: European foreign ministers will discuss on Sunday the unification decision to exclude Russia from the SWIFT banking system.
Ukraine’s Chernihiv city government: We appeal to residents to stay overnight in shelters in case of a Russian missile attack.
French Presidential Palace: We will send more military equipment and fuel to Ukraine.
Lethal weapons arriving in Ukraine (Al Jazeera)French Presidency: Some of the sanctions we have imposed on Russia involve the international banking system SWIFT, as well as freezing the assets of Russians.
French Presidency: We will coordinate with the EU and the US to strengthen economic and financial sanctions against Russia.
Ukraine’s representative to the United Nations: Ukraine calls for emergency assembly because Russia blocks Security Council action.
Al Jazeera reporter: The siren sounded in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.