987 Children Born in Kyiv Since Invasion Started

A glimmer of hope in Kyiv as the city shares celebratory news amid the devastation of the past few weeks.

Kyiv government officials report 987 children were born in city over the first 35 days of the invasion. Parents welcomed a total of 534 boys, 453 girls and 25 twins.

What is life like right now in Kyiv?

Kyiv remains under martial law, but the city reports that citizens "are returning to the capital, life goes on." A curfew, shortened by two hours earlier this week, remains in place daily from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. The city announced it will lift a ban on alcohol beginning Friday, allowing sales between designated hours.

The Kyiv Humanitarian Headquarters continues to provide food, medicine and essentials to those most in need. The city reports that all utilities are being provided. Cancer patients are also able to be cared for at the Kyiv City Oncology Center.

"Physicians continue to work in an intensive mode," a City of Kyiv statement reads.

Psychologists have been providing care to women and youth who have taken shelter at metro stations across the city. Sessions are being conducted in group and individual sessions.

"The main task is to help cope with the emotional consequences of the crisis, to regain the ability to manage their lives," the City of Kyiv said.

Attacks continue against Kyiv, as the Pentagon said a "small number" of Russian troops have re-positioned away from the capital and towards Belarus.

Cell Phone Blares Siren as Ukraine, U.S. Lawmakers Meet

As a group of Ukraine's Parliament members met with U.S. Senators in Washington D.C. Wednesday to call for more aid, an air raid siren rang out from one of their cell phones.

Ukrainian Parliament member Anastasia Radina pulled out her phone as the siren blared, the Associated Press reports.

"Right now, you hear the sound?" Radina said, according to AP. "This is the air raid alarm in the community where my son is staying right now. I need you all to hear that."

Bipartisan members of the Senate Ukraine Caucus met with six Ukrainian Parliament members at the U.S. Capitol. The Ukrainian representatives urged the U.S. and its allies for additional military aid and additional economic sanctions on Russia, AP adds.

"The barbaric actions of Vladimir Putin have forced nearly four million Ukrainians to flee their country," Senate Ukraine Caucus Co-Chair Dick Durbin said.

"The resilience of the Ukrainian people is unparalleled and deserves sustained American support. Today's meeting reinforced our strong relations and we will continue to work with our European allies to further tighten the economic pressure on Putin, welcome Ukrainian refugees, and much more."

Zelensky Says 'Thousands' Are Buried in Ruins of Mariupol

In an address the Belgian Parliament, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky provided a grave update on the status of Mariupol.

He said before the war, it was one of the most promising and economically powerful cities in Ukraine. Now, more than 90 percent of all building in the city are completely destroyed by Russian strikes, he said.

Zelensky said thousands of people have died and are buried in the courtyards of high-rise building, "or rather, what is left of the high-rise buildings."

"Today it is the most horrific place in Europe," he said. "It is hell. It is a catastrophe that everyone knows about, the whole world."

Zelensky said Russian forces have closed all entrances to the city by land and sea, blocking humanitarian aid.

"There is nothing in the city: no water, no food, no medicine, no life," he said. "There is nothing you need to sustain any life."

Still, Ukraine continues to "make humanitarian corridors from Mariupol work" to save civilians remaining in the city.

"Mariupol does not give up," Zelensky added. "Mariupol continues to fight the occupiers."

U.S. Troops Are Not Training with Ukrainians, Pentagon Says

The Pentagon denied reports that U.S. troops are training with Ukrainian forces in Poland.

"We are not in a training environment in Poland with Ukrainians [armed forces]," Press Secretary John Kirby said during a press briefing Thursday.

There is "some liaison going on," he added, "but we wouldn't call it classic training."

Kirby also said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin wants to "keep his options open" regarding the rotating U.S. troops in Europe.

He said the additional deployments in Europe, just under 20,000 troops, are there on temporary orders.

"We'll take each one as it comes," he said, deciding whether each capability needs to stay and, if so, if that units needs to be rotated. So far, none of the units have been rotated out, Kirby said.

Secretary Austin has approved the extension of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman's deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. He will also keep troops with the 82nd Airborne Divisions in Poland for "awhile longer," Kirby said

Kirby said the Defense Department will be "flexible" with the U.S. capabilities in Europe because "we don't know how long this war in Ukraine is going to last."

He said it is "hard to say" when the conflict in Ukraine will end, crediting Ukraine for Russia's strategic failures.

"The Ukrainians are fighting very, very well and the Russians are not," he said. "It would be foolish to predict exactly how long this will go."

Kirby added that Russia's shift in military focus to Donbass could drag out the conflict in Ukraine even longer.

Russia 'Transfers' Control of Chernobyl Back to Ukraine

Russian forces have reportedly returned control of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant to Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Thursday.

Ukraine said Russian forces "transferred" control of the site to Ukrainian personnel in writing and have moved two convoys of troops off of the site and toward Belarus, IAEA said.

It also reports a third convoy has left Slavutych, where many Chernobyl staff live, also headed toward Belarus. Ukrainian authorities "presume" the remaining Russian forces on site are preparing to leave.

Ukrainian staff working on site since March 20 have still not been able to rotate, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said. The agency is working to send assistance and support to Chernobyl in the coming days. Ukraine's Parliament has warned of radiation risks amid ongoing power outages at the site, the IAEA is investigating reports of possible exposure.

"The IAEA has not been able to confirm reports of Russian forces receiving high doses of radiation while being in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone," the agency said. "The IAEA is seeking further information in order to provide an independent assessment of the situation."

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi landed in Kaliningrad Thursday, where he will speak with Russian officials Friday morning. Grossi met with senior Ukrainian government officials Wednesday to discuss technical assistance needed to ensure nuclear safety.

"IAEA expert teams and additional safety equipment will arrive very soon to Ukraine's nuclear facilities," Grossi said Wednesday.

Russian forces seized control of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on the first day of the invasion, February 24.

Pentagon Says Russian Forces Likely to Resupply in Belarus

The Pentagon said Russian troops that were stationed around Kyiv and Chernobyl are repositioning.

Press Secretary John Kirby said it is unclear "where they are going, for how long or for what purpose," but said they are likely heading to Belarus to resupply and refit before being deployed elsewhere in Ukraine.

"What they call de-escalation, I call repositioning," he said, adding that Kyiv is still a central focus of Russian airstrikes.

Kirby said the U.S. is unsure if the 40-mile convoy that was stalled outside Kyiv "even exists anymore" after "failing to accomplish their mission."

"Obviously they didn't get there" he said, crediting the "dexterity" of Ukraine's resistance.

"The Ukrainians put a stop to that convoy pretty quickly by being very nimble," he added.

He added that there is no indication forces leaving Chernobyl are doing so because of and hazard or nuclear emergency.

Kirby said supply shipments to Ukraine are arriving swiftly, contrary to reports of slow progress.

"I've never seen the Department of Defense be able to move with this alacrity or speed as I have these past few weeks," he said.

These packages include a mixture of weapons systems, including javelins and stingers, as well as body armor, helmets and medical supplies.

Half a dozen shipments from the $800 million package have been delivered, Kirby said, with the rest expected to be delivered "in a couple of weeks."

Zelensky Asks Belgium for Help with EU Membership

Zelensky asked Belgian lawmakers for their help with weapons, sanctions and European Union membership.

He said Ukrainians are fighting for the principles of freedom against Russian tyranny "unites the world" during an address to Belgian lawmakers.

"The world of those who really fight for freedom - here and now - against tyranny," he said. "Against a tyranny that wants to split Europe and destroy everything that unites us. Everything that unites you and the world of those who are so used to freedom that they don't even want to notice what the struggle for it is worth."

Zelensky said Ukraine looks forward to being a member of the European Union.

"We need to know that Ukraine will be in the European Union because if we are they will lose," he said. "But if we lose, if we lose Mariupol and other Ukrainian cities there will no longer be a strong European Union because tyranny will come and take away from you that which you have and you are proud of.

He added "that this is not a threat, this is reality."

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo thanked Zelensky for Ukraine continued fight.

"It is hard to find the right words given the dramatic circumstances," he said. "But do know, all Belgians admire your courage and cool-headedness. We admire the bravery of the Ukrainian people. And above all, we admire your dignity in the face of so much inhumanity."

De Croo also condemned Russia and President Vladimir Putin.

"Europe will be at the forefront of Ukraine's reconstruction with a European Marshall plan for Ukraine," he said. "But for that to happen, this barbarism needs to stop as soon as possible, and it is possible."

"Whatever Putin's plans, he will never own Ukraine," he added

He acknowledged Ukraine's plea for a no-fly zone, but reiterated that NATO involvement would lead to "escalation that might engulf the whole of Europe."

"NATO is not a party to this conflict. And it should not become one," he said.

However, De Croo reassured Zelensky Belgium is on Ukraine's side and will continue to send its support.

"Politically, by imposing high economic costs on Russia. Diplomatically, by isolating Russia. By providing humanitarian and military aid and by sheltering those who are fleeing Russian missiles and bombs," he said. "We stand by your side, and we will remain by your side."

De Croo said Ukraine is part of the European people because they share values of "freedom and democracy, of an open society and human progress," and ensured Zelensky of Ukrainian EU membership.

"It would be a fundamental failure of Europe to keep Ukraine waiting for the formal process of accession to the European Union," he said, adding that EU membership is a long and demanding process.

He said Belgium and Ukraine should work towards a "swifter and more direct solution" to integrate the Ukrainian and European economies "to trade with each other, invest, to grow towards each other" and allow Ukraine to become truly European and to participate in programs."

Biden Blames Putin for Rising Oil Prices

President Biden just announced his two-part plan to ease American's pain at the gas pump amid a major price hike.

Biden blames the COVID-19 pandemic and Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine for the increase in gas prices.

"Our prices are rising because of Putin's action," he said. "There isn't enough supply. And the bottom line is if we want lower gas prices, we need to have more oil supply right now."

He condemned oil companies who are taking exploiting of the current situation to take advantage of the American people and called on them to increase their supply.

"I say enough. Enough of lavishing excessive profits on investors and payouts and buybacks when the American people are watching," Biden said.

Biden said oil companies need to "step up" to provide relief for customers, not just to executives and shareholders.

He added that some companies are riding high prices after making $80 billion in profits last year.

"This is not the time to sit on record profits," he said. "This is the time to step up for the good of your country."

It is time now, he said, to invest in the immediate production needed to "respond to Vladimir Putin."

He also called on Congress to pass "use it or lose it" laws to penalize oil companies for sitting on unused leases or idle wells.

"They will either have to start producing or pay the price for their inaction," Biden said.

Putin's Advisors May Be on House Arrest, Biden Says

President Joe Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin may have put some of his advisors on house arrest, as the Pentagon believes that Putin has been "misled" or not fully informed of the situation in Ukraine by his Ministry of Defense.

"He [Putin] seems to be self isolating and there's some indication that he has fired or put under house arrest some of his advisors," Biden said Thursday.

Biden cautioned that he didn't want to put "too much stock" in that claim; however, citing a substantial lack of hard evidence.

The degree to which Putin may be misinformed about the entirety of the situation in Ukraine remains an "open question" Biden said, adding "there's a lot of speculation."

Russian Forces Kidnap 12-Year-Old Girl From Mariupol

A 12-year-old Ukrainian girl has been kidnapped from Mariupol by Russian forces, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office said Thursday.

The girl had been in Mariupol with her father since the beginning of the invasion, according to investigators. A strike on their home killed a man on March 17, the report does not specify if that was her father. The girl then joined locals to evacuate the city, but was injured in a mine explosion. Investigators believe she was then kidnapped by Russian forces.

"The child was abducted by representatives of the Russian armed forces and taken to the territory of the occupied Donbass under their control," the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office said.

The young girl's grandfather reported her disappearance, according to the report, saying he's currently "forced to live in Chernivtsi."

WATCH: Biden Speech on Lowering U.S. Gas Prices

President Joe Biden will roll out a two-part plan Thursday afternoon to address skyrocketing gas prices across the United States.

Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine has hiked prices to record levels, adding to already high prices due to inflation.

Biden's speech is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. EST Thursday afternoon, watch live here or below:

Zelensky Asks Australia for More Weapons

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for more sanctions against Russia during a video address to the Australian parliament Thursday.

"The distance between our states is thousands of kilometers," Zelensky said. "But the distance simply does not exist for the cruelty and chaos that Russia has brought to ... our Ukrainian land."

He added that "geography means nothing, only humanity matters."

Zelensky outlined the destruction Ukraine has faced over the last month and asked the lawmakers for more sanctions and armed personnel vehicles, including the Australian-manufactured Bushmaster.

"We need more sanctions against Russia, powerful sanctions until they stop blackmailing other countries with their nuclear missiles," he said, adding a call to stop all trade with Russia.

Zelensky also warned that the threats Ukraine is facing from Russia may inspire other adversarial countries to initiate attack elsewhere around the world.

"The most terrible thing is that if we don't stop Russia now, if we don't hold Russia accountable, then some other countries of the world who are looking forward to similar wars against their neighbors will decide that such things are possible for them as well," Zelenskyy said.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged to provide an additional $25 million of defensive military assistance for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This comes after Australia has already promised $91 million AUD in military assistance, $65 million in humanitarian aid and 70,000 metric tons of coal to Ukraine.

"You have our prayers, but you also have our weapons, our humanitarian aid, our sanctions against those who seek to deny your freedom and you even have our coal," Morrison said, adding that Zelensky is a "lion for democracy."

"The people of Australia stand with Ukraine in your fight for survival," Morrison said. "We welcome you Mr. President as a lion of democracy we do not stand with the war criminal of Moscow."

Biden to Lay Out Two Plans to Lower U.S. Gas Prices

President Joe Biden will announce plans to lower U.S. gas prices Thursday, as prices have skyrocketed amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

AAA recorded the highest ever average U.S. gas price on March 11, 2022, hitting $4.33. Today's average price for a gallon of gas in the U.S. is $4.23. Prices remain exceptionally high in California, where today's average price is $5.90 and Nevada, $5.24.

"Since Putin accelerated his military build-up around Ukraine, gas prices have increased by nearly a dollar per gallon," the White House said in a statement. "Because of Putin's war of choice, less oil is getting to market, and the reduction in supply is raising prices at the pump for Americans."

Biden will announce a two-part plan Thursday afternoon to expand oil supply by increasing domestic production and reducing American dependence on oil by bolstering the clean energy economy.

"Right now, the oil and gas industry is sitting on more than 12 million acres of non-producing Federal land with 9,000 unused but already-approved permits for production," the White House said.

"Today, President Biden is calling on Congress to make companies pay fees on wells from their leases that they haven't used in years and on acres of public lands that they are hoarding without producing."

Biden will also announce an unprecedented release of oil reserves that will put an average of one million additional barrels on the market daily for the next six months. The White House said the release will serve as "bridge" until domestic production ramps up.

The second part of Biden's announcement will focus on achieving energy independence.

"The President will call on Congress to pass his plan to speed the transition to clean energy that is made in America," the White House said, saying the plan would save families nearly $1,000 a year in gas by using electric vehicles.

"And, the President will issue a directive, authorizing the use of the Defense Production Act to secure American production of critical materials to bolster our clean energy economy," the White House added.

The U.S. banned the import of Russian oil amid the ongoing invasion.

U.K. Sanctions Russian Media, 'Butcher of Mariupol'

The United Kingdom slapped sanctions on Russian propagandists, Kremlin-funded media and the Russian general dubbed the "the butcher of Mariupol" Thursday.

U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced 14 new sanctions on Russian propagandists and state media "who spread lies and deceit about Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine." Sergey Brilev, TV anchor on Russia state-owned media Rossiya, is among those sanctioned.

"Having previously lived in the U.K., Brilev will no longer be able to access any of his U.K. assets or continue business dealings," the U.K. government said in a statement.

Sanctions include RT, Sputnik along with top members of both news organizations. Thursday's action is the latest effort by the U.K. to continue targeting misinformation.

"These sanctions will ensure RT will not be able to find its way back on U.K. televisions, and will prevent companies and individuals operating in the U.K. from doing business with Russian state propaganda vehicles RT and Sputnik, and key figures in those organizations," the U.K. government said.

The list includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• TV-Novosti: Kremlin-funded organization and owners of RT
• Rossiya Segodnya: Media group that owns Sputnik, owned and operated by the Russian government
• Aleksandr Zharov: Chief Executive Officer of Gazprom-Media
• Alexey Nikolov: Managing Director of RT
• Anton Anisimov: Head of Sputnik International Broadcasting

"Putin's war on Ukraine is based on a torrent of lies," Truss said. "Britain has helped lead the world in exposing Kremlin disinformation and this latest batch of sanctions hits the shameless propagandists who push out Putin's fake news and narratives."

Sanctions were also announced against Russian Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, dubbed the "the butcher of Mariupol." Truss said he is behind responsible the "appalling shelling" of the besieged city.

"Mizintsev is the Chief of the National Defense Command and Control Centre, where all Russian military operations are planned and controlled worldwide," the U.K. government said. "Mizintsev is known for using reprehensible tactics, including shelling civilian centers in both Aleppo in 2015-16 and now in Mariupol where atrocities are being perpetuated against Ukrainian people."

Truss warned of further sanctions, saying "nothing and no one is off the table."

Red Cross Joins Convoy to Provide Aid in Mariupol

A convoy of buses is making its way to Mariupol to evacuate residents and bring humanitarian support.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is participating in these humanitarian efforts, saying it will "facilitate safe passage" of civilians out of Mariupol tomorrow and bring supplies and aid.

"All parties must agree to the exact terms, the Red Cross said in a tweet. "This operation is critical. Tens of thousands of lives depend on it."

The Red Cross noted that it will "never support any evacuation to anywhere that is against what people want."

Some families have already been evacuated from heavily-shelled Mariupol and arrived at the registration center in Zaporizhzhia.

Over 1,200 Civilians Killed, Including 112 Children

Civilian casualties continue increasing in Ukraine as Russia's invasion enters a 36th day. The United Nations has recorded more than 3,160 casualties, warning the actual figures are considerably higher.

The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recorded 1,232 civilian deaths, including 112 children, between February 24 and March 30.

OHCHR reports another 1,935 civilians have been injured, including 149 children.

"Most of the civilian casualties recorded were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes," OHCHR said.

The OHCHR reiterates that reports are pending from areas of "intense hostilities," including Mariupol and Irpin, where there are "allegations of numerous civilian casualties."

The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office puts the number of child casualties even higher, reporting at least 148 children have been killed, and another 232 wounded. The OHCHR acknowledged the report.

OHCHR data shows the following breakdown:

• 1,232 civilians killed: 250 men, 176 women, 18 girls, and 36 boys, as well as 58 children and 694 adults whose sex is unknown.
• 1,935 civilians injured: 225 men, 167 women, 36 girls, and 32 boys, as well as 81 children and 1,394 adults whose sex is unknown.

Death Toll After Mykolaiv Strike Continues to Rise

The death toll from the strike on the administration building in Mykolaiv has increased.

At least 20 people were killed and 33 people were injured after the office of the Mykolaiv regional military governor was hit Tuesday, the Ukrainian State Emergency Services said in an update Thursday.

The emergency services said rescuers recovered 19 bodies from the rubble, the Associated Press reported. One person died in the hospital.

Emergency services are still working on the scene.

Video Shows Cars Avoiding Landmines

Video has been widely viewed on social media showing cars driving around what appear to be landmines.

Cars approach the devices, slow down and position their vehicles to drive over them without making contact.

The road is thought to be the E373 near the village of Potashnya, north-west of Kyiv, the BBC reported.

Justin Crump, a former British Army tank commander, told the outlet that they looked like Soviet era TM-62M anti-tank mines, carrying around 16lb of explosives which could damage armored vehicles.

The video on Live Universal Awareness Map (Liveuamap), an independent global news information site, had over 2.5 million views as of Thursday afternoon.

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Footage Shows Devastation of Mariupol

Further to the story of the attempts to evacuate residents from Mariupol, footage shared on social media shows the extent of the destruction in the southern port city.

The video verified by the BBC shows the damage to the Mariupol theatre which was bombed while hundreds of people sheltered in the building and the basement below. The word "children" can be seen written in Russian on the ground.

Ukrainian officials estimate that 300 people died at the theatre during the attack which Russia has denied carrying out.

Mariupol's mayor says more than 5,000 people have been killed in the city, and 90 percent of its buildings damaged since the invasion began.

Bus Convoy To Evacuate People From Mariupol In Ceasefire

A convoy of 45 buses will attempt to evacuate people from the besieged southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, amid doubt that a temporary ceasefire allowing people to leave the besieged city would hold.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had confirmed Russia had agreed to open a humanitarian corridor to the port city in the south of the country.

The Russian defence ministry said the United Nations refugee agency and the Red Cross would assist in the evacuation of civilians starting from 10 a.m. local time.

It said a ceasefire would allow people to travel westwards to Zaporizhzhia via the Russian-controlled port of Berdyansk.

Some 160,000 people remain in port city on the Sea of Azov which Russian forces have encircled and shelled since the end of February.

The European Union has called the bombardment of the city a war crime.

Russian Troops Refuse Orders Says British Spy Chief

Russian troops in Ukraine are refusing to follow orders and sabotaging their own equipment, the head of Britain's spy agency Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) has said.

Jeremy Fleming said in a speech in Canberra, Australia that there was evidence of rock-bottom morale among Russian soldiers, who even accidentally shot down one of their own aircraft during the Ukraine war.

GCHQ's analysis hasn't been independently confirmed yet but Fleming said President Vladimir Putin's plan for the invasion of Ukraine is "failing" and that the Russian president "has massively misjudged the situation" in Ukraine.

This included underestimating "the economic consequences of the sanction regime," he said.

Fleming's speech comes amid an assessment by U S. intelligence officials that Putin's advisors are misinforming him about how his military is performing.