Axios

Vladimir Putin has launched an unprovoked ground war in a neighboring country after only the most perfunctory attempt to convince his own people, and with no groundswell of support behind him.

Why it matters: That’s a dangerous proposition for any leader, even an autocrat as entrenched as Putin. But while some experts believe high casualties or sanctions-induced economic distress could destabilize Putin’s regime, others contend that a quick victory would solidify his historic legacy in many Russians’ eyes.

Russian police detained more than 1,700 people participating in protests on Thursday against Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, according to OVD-Info, a Russia-based human rights organization that monitors political persecution in the country.

Why it matters: Hundreds of people organized in multiple Russian cities — including Moscow and Saint Petersburg — for protests despite warnings from the government that participants would be arrested.

Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine — including attacking the capital, Kyiv — in an overnight barrage that was swift, broad and ruthless. The attack was exactly in line with President Biden's dire forecasts.

Why it matters: The world woke to a new era of global upheaval. Two sovereign nations are in a conventional war in Europe for the first time since World War II, with huge ramifications for the power dynamics of Russia and the superpowers, the U.S. and China.

Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine on Thursday, calling it "unprovoked and unjustified" and urging people around the world to stand with Ukraine.

Why it matters: Russian President Vladimir Putin's overnight invasion of Ukraine has caused dozens of civilian casualties and thrown thousands of Ukrainians into a panic to flee, and it's only just started. Russian forces are confirmed to have crossed the Ukrainian border by land, air and sea.

President Biden on Thursday declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin "will be a pariah on the international stage" for his unprovoked attack on Ukraine, and he announced severe new sanctions that include sweeping export controls and a freeze on billions of dollars' worth of Russian assets.

Why it matters: The new sanctions are coordinated with the G7 — countries that together make up 50% of the world's GDP — and are designed to "maximize a long-term impact on Russia and to minimize the impact on the United States and our allies."

Western countries are announcing more sanctions in response to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.

The latest: President Biden said G7 leaders have agreed to impose new "devastating" sanctions on Russia, and he is set to explain the specifics of those sanctions later on Thursday.

The Pentagon believes Russia's invasion is designed to "decapitate" the Ukrainian government and install a new leadership, a senior defense official told reporters on Thursday.

State of play: Russia's invasion — by air, land and sea — is proceeding along three primary axes, with one of those aimed squarely at the capital, Kyiv, the official said. Ukraine's ambassador to Washington told reporters that fighting is ongoing near Kyiv but the city is currently "secure."

The UN refugee agency on Thursday urged countries that neighbor Ukraine to "keep borders open" and provide "safety and protection" to Ukrainians fleeing Russia's attacks.

Driving the news: Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine early Thursday, striking targets in several cities, including Kyiv. Dozens have been killed, according to Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S.

The International Olympic Committee "strongly condemned" Russia on Thursday for violating the Olympic Truce when it attacked Ukraine.

Driving the news: The truce, a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly last year, began seven days before the start of the Beijing Olympics and ends seven days after the closing of the Paralympic Games, which are slated to take place March 4-13.

Russian forces have seized control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidential office said Thursday, according to Reuters.

The latest: The U.S. is "outraged by credible reports that Russian soldiers are currently holding the staff of the Chernobyl facilities hostage," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a press briefing Thursday evening.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in remarks Thursday that the Biden administration should "ratchet the sanctions all the way up" in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

What they're saying: "We're all together at this point and we need to be together about what should be done."

Last night, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" in Ukraine during a speech. Since then, attacks have killed dozens of Ukrainian soldiers and a few civilians.

Why it matters: Putin effectively declared war on Ukraine, despite specifying that he wants to "demilitarize" the country without occupying it.

World leaders swiftly condemned Russia's attacks on Ukraine and vowed to hold Vladimir Putin accountable.

Driving the news: Putin's troops on late Wednesday began moving into Ukraine, with large explosions being reported shortly after Putin announced a "special military operation" in Ukraine. Dozens have reportedly been killed.

A Ukraine official claimed the country has regained control of an international airport, roughly 25 miles outside of Kyiv, after it was seized by Russian forces Thursday.

Why it matters: Russia would have a key air bridge to deliver more troops and military equipment for a potential assault on Ukraine's capital with control of Antonov International Airport.

The Israeli government on Thursday condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a "violation of the world order."

Why it matters: It is a significant change in the Israeli position toward the Russia-Ukraine crisis. 

Oil prices jumped above $100 per barrel for the first time since 2014 and European gas prices surged after Russia invaded Ukraine, an assault with far-reaching consequences for energy markets and geopolitics.

Driving the news: The global benchmark Brent crude is up by around $8, trading at roughly $105 per barrel, while U.S. futures are also up similarly sharply at over $99 per barrel.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the corresponding sanctions have triggered a sell-off in the ruble.

Driving the news: The currency has dropped to a record low against the dollar, falling roughly 6% over the last two days.

Russian military attacks on Ukraine have killed at least 40 people, an adviser to the Ukrainian president said on Thursday, per AP.

Driving the news: Air raid sirens rang out in the capital Kyiv, as Russian missile strikes were reported in multiple cities across Ukraine — moments after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" in the country that was part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991.

NATO will deploy "additional defensive land and air forces" to its eastern flank and increase the readiness of its forces to "respond to all contingencies" in response to Russia's attack on Ukraine.

Why it matters: Russia's massive assault on Ukraine, which is not a NATO member, has raised fears that the conflict could spill into neighboring countries. NATO member Lithuania declared a state of emergency Thursday and deployed its military to secure its border

Russian President Vladimir Putin has drawn swift condemnation from President Biden and other world leaders after announcing a "special military operation" in Ukraine, in a speech that appeared to serve as a declaration of war.

State of play: Russian troops moved into eastern Ukraine and large explosions were reported immediately after Putin's speech, including near Kyiv. The attacks have killed at least 40 people, officials said Thursday.

A pro-democracy group advised by top historians, diplomats, journalists and a former NATO supreme allied commander launched Thursday with an initial focus on Hungary, casting it as the "next battleground state in the global fight to defend democracy."

Driving the news: The executive director of Action for Democracy told Axios he views the nonprofit as a counterweight to the "cabal of autocrats and dictators" that has grown in strength in recent years — and which has found sympathizers among a strain of U.S. conservatives.

Freedom around the world declined in 2021 for the 16th consecutive year, according to an annual report from Freedom House, which warns that countries including China and Russia are exporting authoritarianism.

Why it matters: "The leaders of China, Russia, and other dictatorships have succeeded in shifting global incentives, jeopardizing the consensus that democracy is the only viable path to prosperity and security, while encouraging more authoritarian approaches to governance," the report says.

Legend has it that Mississippi Delta bluesman Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil for supernatural guitar talent. He went on to record songs in the 1930s about cars, the crossroads — and tamales.

The big picture: Johnson's famous homage to tamales in "They're Red Hot" points to regularly neglected Latino connections to Black American music and cuisine scholars are just now working to uncover.

Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine were facing a major military assault by Russian forces overnight, in what Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba described as "a full-scale invasion" that's killed dozens of people.

The big picture: Shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" in Ukraine, Kuleba tweeted: "Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression." President Biden said the U.S. would impose further "severe sanctions" on Russia in response.

President Biden issued a statement on Wednesday night condemning Russia's President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a "special military operation" in Ukraine moments before Ukrainian cities were bombarded by Russian missile strikes.

Details: Biden promised Ukraine President Zelensky in a phone call additional U.S. support and that "our allies and partners will be imposing severe sanctions on Russia," according to a White House readout.

Former President Trump called into Fox News on Wednesday evening to criticize President Biden's response to Russia's military attack on Ukraine.

Driving the news: Two days after calling Russian President Vladimir Putin "very savvy" after the Russian president recognized two breakaway "republics" in eastern Ukraine as independent, Trump called into Fox host Laura Ingraham's show to call the assault on Ukraine "a terrible thing" that "would not have happened during my administration."

Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations confronted Russia's representative during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Wednesday, telling him as Russia's invasion began: "There is no purgatory for war criminals. They go straight to hell, ambassador."

Why it matters: Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a "special military operation" in Ukraine at the very moment that members of the Security Council — which is chaired by Russia this month — were calling on Moscow to de-escalate. Moments later, explosions were reported in cities across Ukraine.

India's teen chess grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa is winning widespread praise after becoming the youngest person to beat Magnus Carlsen since the Norwegian player became world champion in 2013.

The big picture: Praggnanandhaa failed to qualify for the Airthings Masters quarterfinals, which began on Wednesday, following his win over Carlsen in the rapid chess tournament. But Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "We are all rejoicing on the success of the young genius R Praggnanandhaa."

A CNN correspondent in Kyiv reported explosions live on camera early Thursday morning local time, moments after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared he would conduct a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Why it matters: U.S. officials have warned that Russia could attempt an assault on Kyiv in effort to topple the Ukrainian government. Explosions in other major cities across Ukraine were also reported moments after Putin's remarks concluded.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an impassioned address on Wednesday night that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered an invasion of his country but that if Russia attacks, "you will see our faces, not our backs."

The latest: Hours after the speech, Putin invaded Ukraine — including attacking the capital, Kyiv — in an overnight barrage that was swift, broad and ruthless.