March 4, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news

By Jessie Yeung, Julia Hollingsworth, Adam Renton, Joshua Berlinger, Sana Noor Haq, Blathnaid Healy, Adrienne Vogt, Meg Wagner and Melissa Macaya, CNN

Updated 0512 GMT (1312 HKT) March 5, 2022
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2:58 p.m. ET, March 4, 2022

Deconfliction phone line between US-Russia is being staffed by US European Command, Pentagon says

From CNN's Ellie Kaufman

The deconfliction line established this week between the US and Russia is a bilateral “US to Russia deconfliction level,” Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said during a briefing at the Pentagon on Friday.

The line is being managed by US European Command under Gen. Tod Wolters, the Commander of US European Command,

“It’s being administered as a bilateral US to Russia deconfliction level, that’s why it’s being handled out of US European Command headquarters and not Gen. Wolters under his NATO hat,” Kirby said.

Kirby said the deconfliction line is valuable “to reduce the risks of miscalculation and to be able to communicate in real-time, if need be, particularly now the airspace over Ukraine is contested by both Russian and Ukraine aircraft.”

The phone line is “at a lower operational level,” Kirby said.

“It’s basically staffed by staff-level officers there at European Command headquarters," he continued.

More background: The deconfliction phone line that was set up this week between the US and Russia did work in its initial setup, a senior US defense official told reporters on Friday.

The phone line worked in the initial test call the US made to Russia, the official said.

“It is in place, the Russians have acknowledged it, in our initial test of it, they answered the phone, so we know that they know who’s calling and that they will at least, in terms of the initial initiation of it, the setting up of it, it worked, and they did answer the line,” the official said.

The establishment of the agreement was particularly noteworthy because until now Pentagon officials have said they have not had any direct communications with Russian counterparts since the invasion. 

There had been an effort to establish the communications line since late last month. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last spoke with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu on Feb. 18. The two also spoke one week earlier. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley last spoke to the Chief of Russian General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov on Feb. 11th.

The US has specifically rejected any no-fly zone over Ukraine saying it would put US pilots into a combat scenario in order to enforce such a plan. But the door is not shut on a potential future air humanitarian corridor to guarantee safe flight of relief supplies hostilities cease, officials say.                      

A deconfliction protocol has existed for several years between US and Russian forces in Syria. For the most part it has worked, although US officials have complained on several occasions the Russians have not given enough advance warning of their operations. The US does not give Russia detailed information but did notify them recently when US aircraft would be operating in a broad area northeast Syria. 

3:16 p.m. ET, March 4, 2022

Russia is blocking Facebook in the country

From CNN’s Brian Fung

Russia announced Friday it is blocking Facebook in the country, according to its communications regulator.

 “In March 2022, a decision was made to block access to the Facebook network (owned by Meta Platforms, Inc.) in the Russian Federation,” the statement said.

Meta president Nick Clegg responded to the ban, saying the company was doing “everything we can to restore our services” but that soon Russian users would be cut off from reliable information.

The White House also responded to the move, saying it was "deeply concerned."

"This is a pattern," press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Friday, referring to Russia's effort to restrict information about the war in Ukraine by independent journalists, state-backed media, and now social media platforms.

"This is not necessarily a new approach that they have taken, but to crack down on information in their country to reach the people. So, certainly, we are deeply concerned about this and concerned about the threat to freedom of speech in the country," Psaki said.

2:42 p.m. ET, March 4, 2022

Ukraine's UN ambassador calls for urgent discussion on no-fly zone

From CNN's Kristina Sgueglia

Ukraine's UN ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya addresses the UN Security Council on Friday.
Ukraine's UN ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya addresses the UN Security Council on Friday. (Richard Drew/AP)

During a United Nations Security Council emergency meeting on Ukraine, the Ukrainian ambassador called for an urgent discussion on banning flights through air space in Ukraine and said there was damage to the nuclear plant attacked by Russian forces.

Sergiy Kyslytsya said Russia “committed an act of nuclear terrorism while shelling and seizing” the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

He also said his Russian counterpart, Vassily Nebenzia, had lied in his remarks. Nebenzia told the council that the nuclear plant is fully operational and there is no threat of a release of radioactive material.

Several employees responsible for maintaining nuclear security at the site have reportedly been killed by Russian soldiers, Kyslytsya said, and there has been no rotation of personnel since yesterday morning. 

CNN cannot independently confirmed any number of deaths.

“The building of unit 1, main building, is damaged. The overpass of the special building is damaged; the telephone line is disrupted and not available at the moment,” Kyslytsya said.

He said state nuclear safety inspectors are not allowed access to the site, and changes in the radiation situation have not been registered. Data from the automated radiation monitoring system of the power plant “does not work.”

In a statement Friday morning local time, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate (SNRI) confirmed the power plant was occupied by Russian military forces, but said officials remained in contact with plant management.

The plant's six reactors remained intact, though the compartment auxiliary buildings for reactor unit 1 had been damaged, the SNRI said in its statement. Four of the remaining units were being cooled down while one unit is providing power, the statement said.

He demanded clear and decisive action from the International Atomic Energy Agency. 

A top International Atomic Energy Agency official earlier told the council that “no security or safety systems have been compromised near the reactors themselves" at the plant.

Kyslytsya also said "urgent discussion" of a no-fly zone "should be a top priority for the security council.”

“Today, I have sent a letter to the UNSC president reminding of the council's decisions on no-fly zone during previous conflicts in order to prevent further civilian casualties,” he said.

“In this regard we request to consider the issue of protection of nuclear power plants and other critical infrastructure in Ukraine,” he added.

2:45 p.m. ET, March 4, 2022

Biden talked to Poland's president about Ukrainian refugees and consequences for Russia today

From CNN's Kaitlan Collins

Ukrainian refugees wait in an empty shopping center to be transported from Przemysl, Poland, on March 4.
Ukrainian refugees wait in an empty shopping center to be transported from Przemysl, Poland, on March 4. (Janek Skarzynski/AFP/Getty Images)

President Biden thanked Polish President Andrzej Duda for welcoming nearly 700,000 Ukrainians who have fled during the Russian invasion, the White House said of the call today between both leaders.

The White House noted that on the call, Biden highlighted how Poland is hosting 9,000 US forces, including 4,700 service members sent in recent weeks to bolster NATO allies. 

"The two leaders affirmed their commitment to the people of Ukraine, including the importance of providing urgent humanitarian assistance," according to the White House readout, which noted "ongoing efforts to impose severe consequences on Russia."
2:52 p.m. ET, March 4, 2022

Ukrainian president addresses several European cities, calls for solidarity

Demonstrators in Tbilisi, Georgia, watch an address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 4.
Demonstrators in Tbilisi, Georgia, watch an address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 4. (Vano Shlamov/AFP/Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for solidarity while speaking to several European cities on Friday.

During Zelensky's live message via Zoom, he encouraged Europe to stand with Ukraine and paused for a moment of silence to honor those who have fallen in this war, saying, "This first minute I would like to dedicate to the moment of silence to those who have fallen in the fight for their country, to our soldiers, to those who serve ... those who are working as pilots, those who are making heroic deeds in different areas protecting their country and have given their lives away for this."

"Let us commemorate the soldiers. Rest in Peace," he said in the call with several European cities, including Bratislava, Frankfurt, Prague, Lyon, Tbilisi, Vienna and Vilnius.

Zelensky also shared some thoughts on the forces from across Europe, as well as "ordinary people" in Ukraine.

"I would like to wish all the best to the people of Europe ... This is how our soldiers, our heroes ... are greeting each other these days. These are the people who are protecting their homes, they're protecting our Ukraine, protecting our Europe, they're protecting your Europe and they're greeting each other, wishing each other good health," said the Ukrainian president.

"But from recently the soldier greeting, this army greeting, is something that ordinary people are starting to use in their day-to-day language when greeting each other because we are protecting our country from Russian invasion, from the Russian attack. We are protecting our homes and our land full-fledged and out of [Russian] war and Russian aggression," Zelensky said. "Today our servicemen, some of our military servicemen, serving our country in the army, others are serving as doctors with scalpels in their hands doing the surgical operations. [Others] are working to protect the children and their families. And this is our heart, this is the heart of Ukraine, standing together against the evil."

Zelensky used the final portion of his address to speak to people across the entire European continent, promising victory for Ukraine and the whole of democracy.

"I would like to dedicate to you, to the people of Europe. I would like to call upon you not to be silent. I would like you to come out on the streets and support Ukraine, support our efforts and support our fight because if Ukraine will not stand, Europe will not stand. If we will fall, you will fall so please don't be silent, do not turn the blind on eye on this," said Zelensky.

"Come out and support Ukraine as much as you can ... And if we win, and I'm sure we'll win, this will be the victory for the whole democratic world. This will be the victory of our freedom. This will be the victory of light over darkness, of freedom over slavery. And if we win, we will become as blossoming as Europe, and Europe will be flourishing more than ever after this magnificent victory. Glory to Ukraine." 

Zelensky then held his fist up in the air in a salute.

2:27 p.m. ET, March 4, 2022

US energy secretary calls on Russia to allow Ukrainian nuclear operators to work "safely"

From CNN's Liz Stark

US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm tweeted Friday that “Russian forces are in control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant” and called on Russia “to allow the Ukrainian operators to continue to operate safely – including allowing shift changes at both Zaporizhzhia and Chornobyl.”

In a series of tweets, Granholm also praised Ukrainian operators for being “extremely responsible in how they responded to yesterday’s appalling attack by safely taking 2 of the reactors offline.” Granholm noted one reactor is currently “operating at partial capacity to keep the power grid stable.”

Granholm also pointed out how the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant “is designed to withstand significant shelling or bombardment.”

“We have seen no elevated radiation readings overnight. Safety systems are intact, and reactors continue to receive cooling,” Granholm tweeted.

1:51 p.m. ET, March 4, 2022

"Our houses were shelled and bombed, civilians are dying ... we are in hiding," Kherson resident says

From CNN’s Gianluca Mezzofiore

"This is a game of Russia, a production. They brought their actors from the Crimea to make a movie about their claim that we want to be part of the Russian Federation," Yulia, a resident of Kherson, Ukraine, said in a video she posted to social media as she described the arrival of Russian aid trucks.

“The Russian military occupied Kherson and the Kherson region, cut off our telephone connection, we cannot contact relatives and families either in the city or outside,” she continued.

Earlier this week, Yulia said she saw and heard explosions, firefighting, soldiers, and trucks as Russians battled to take over her city from Ukrainian forces.

“Our houses were shelled and bombed, civilians are dying. In the region, people have been sitting without gas, electricity, water, communications for a week now,” she told CNN. “It is impossible to get to them, as civilians in their cars are being fired upon. There are no goods in the stores, some people have no food and water, no medicines, babies without diapers and clothes. Pregnant girls give birth in basements."

Yulia herself gave birth two months ago. Now she’s struggling to find diapers and baby products.

“There are catastrophically few in the city. We also have a grandmother with dementia who needs diapers and medicines on an ongoing basis, which are also not available in the city,” she shared.

Yulia said her close family is with her and they have food and electricity, although they are not going out.

 “We are in hiding. There is a curfew in the city, if people go out after eight in the evening, they shoot to kill. You can move in the company of no more than two people,” she said.

The woman declined to give more details about her extended family who live in different parts of the city.

"We have bunkers around the city, not all houses have basements. There is an alarm around the city when we need to go to cover,” Yulia explained.

“The Ukrainian flag is still over Kherson, the city did not surrender to the invaders. the military said not to provoke them and everyone would be alive," she added.

Editor's Note: CNN is only using the person's first name to protect their safety.

1:37 p.m. ET, March 4, 2022

People possibly trapped in rubble of wrecked apartment block in Ukrainian town, emergency service says

From CNN's Tim Lister and Olya Voitovych

Following a missile attack on a large apartment block in Borodyanka on March 2, the Ukrainian State Emergency Service has told CNN that people may still be trapped in the wreckage of the building.

Viktoriya Ruban, spokesperson of the SES in the Kyiv region, told CNN on Friday that "about 100 people may be trapped under the rubble" in Borodyanka but "it is impossible to give a more precise figure at the moment."

"Rescuers do not have access to these people due to the constant shelling. We are ready to evacuate people as soon as there is an agreement on a 'green corridor,'" she said.

The town, which is just northwest of Kyiv, has seen persistent shelling over the past few days, as have small towns around it. 

The area has seen the heaviest fighting in the Kyiv region since the Russian invasion began just over a week ago.

1:33 p.m. ET, March 4, 2022

EU ready to adopt more Russia sanctions if war doesn't stop, EU Commission president says

From CNN’s Arnaud Siad

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks to the press in Brussels on March 4.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks to the press in Brussels on March 4. (Yves Herman/Pool/AFP/Getty Images)

The European Union is ready to adopt more sanctions against Russia if President Vladimir Putin does not stop the war in Ukraine, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.

“We know that this conflict is far from over, and to be very clear, we are ready to take further severe measures if Putin does not stop and reverse the war he has unleashed,” she said alongside US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Brussels.

“Thanks to this coordination [with the United States], we have together designed, developed and deployed sanctions in record time. Sanctions that demonstrate our determination to make Putin pay a price for his war. We do not take these measures lightly but it is clear we need to act,” she added.

Von der Leyen said over 40 countries were now “partially or completely” aligned with the sanctions, saying it was “testimony to the determination of the global community to reject this invasion.”

Speaking after von der Leyen, Blinken commended the European Union for its response to Russia, saying, “this union is strong, it’s united and it’s acting.”

“If we allow those principles to be violated with impunity, then we're opening a Pandora's Box, in every corner of the world for this to happen again and again and again,” Blinken said.

He also warned that the war in Ukraine “may not be over soon” and that the US and European allies must sustain tough pressure on Russia until it ends.

"Unfortunately, tragically, horrifically this may not be over soon," he said.

"We have to sustain this until it stops, until the war is over," he added.