- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 137 Ukrainian soldiers had died on the first day of Russia's military operation.

- Zelenskyy said his country was "left alone" to defend itself against Russia.

- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday authorized "a special military operation" in the Donbas region at its request and said Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territory.

- Russian Defense Ministry said they are not targeting Ukrainian cities, but are limited to surgically striking and incapacitating Ukrainian military infrastructure.

- In light of that, Ukraine severed diplomatic ties with Russia, and countries including the U.S. and the UK, and the EU have announced escalating sanctions on Russia.