pass a. good morning. welcome to this special edition of newday. i'm christie paul. >> i'm boris sanchez. right now ukrainian forces are fighting the russian military on many fronts russian forces have

moved into ukraine's second largest city why kharkiv. people have been told to stay in their homes because it is now warfare in the streets. >> the area has been the scene of many fighting. it is the site of a large airfield. russia claims to only be targeting military areas but look at these images. a school was hit. a six-year-old boy killed. >> united states, france, germany are among the nations now sending military aid.

there are fresh efforts to punish russia financially. this morning, the united states and allies agreeing to cut off russia from s.w.i.f.t. that severely limits their access to the international banking system. >> cnn is reporting from across the globe. jasmine wright from the white house. and near kyiv and live in western ukraine in lviv. >> u.s. officials say russia is encountering, quote, stuffer than expected resist tense. that this was unexpected to him. >> who knows what is in his mind.

a lot of people. they've stopped the russian advance in many places. zelenskyy has been appealing for more international resources. more explosions a around kyiv overnight. our teams saw that lighting up the night sky. they've been running battlesen the outskirts. the second biggest city, russian troops in kyiv. fighting going on there as well. they are still holding them back. your point about stiffer resist tense is true. you are seeing a lot of civilians and reservists getting into the fight. reporting earlier on a group of people and civilians taking up

arms. one man told matthew he had never held a weapons until now. another with a box of molotov cocktails, petro bombs. the bravery in the resilience is incredible. the other thing that has been sad to see, i've been speaking with a lot of regular ukrainians. they too are defiant. they fear for their country. i spoke to two separate mothers. they both raised the point, what do we tell our kids? >> one said, when they hear the sirens, she tells them to lay down and open their mouths in

case of a explosion and con kugs. 150,000 or so have crossed in from borders. people taking 48 hours to get across the border in what is a very cold environment. it's cold here at night. families out in those situations. 160,000. un said it could be at its worst, 5 million. >> the makings of a humanitarian crisis in eastern europe. let's pivot to the russian side of the border on the front line near kyiv. you've been there several days and the scale and importance of the kind of weapons you've seen

moving toward the border with ukraine has added significance especially in the last 24, 48 hours? >> russians have said they've entered that city of kharkiv. also seeing more ambulances go in. russians saying they had broken through one of those layers where we are hearing reports of that heavy fighting going on.

we have seen a lot of russian rocket artillery fire towards ukrainian territory. from our advantage point, it is impossible to tell about that fire. we are only about 35 miles away. 15 to 20 miles from the border with ukraine a lot of forces coming in and out. russians continue to press that. it is important for our viewers to know and with tougher going. it sees from our advantage point

here from the last check point and where a lot of russians are staging, certainly, they have a lot of troops and engineer. if vladamir putin does so or reveals to continue to do so. >> we appreciate it so much. what perspective. thank you. >> let's go to cnn white house reporter. we know the interpreter national community is tightening the screws here on russia. more sanctions and weaponry transported into ukraine to support the resist tance there. what are you hearing from the white house? >> something of this scale has

not been done marking it significant step of western countries trying to isolate russia financially. u.s., european leaders and canada announced a lot of punitive measures but one of the more significant is what they plan do with the swift financial system. a high security messaging system you see on the screen which connects thousands of banking systems across the globe putting messaging and helping process transactions u.s. officials will cut off certain banks from that system. the goal there is to make it difficult or impossible for russian entities and transactions. this came together pretty

quickly. it was thursday president biden was asked why s.w.i.f.t. wasn't included in that original. he said frankly, european leaders were not ready to make that first step. they are now ready to respond to russia. trying to take restrictive mercedess and stop reserves and something like 600 billion and waves of sanctions from western countries to knock off the ruble. this came after president biden met with national security.

trying to stay updates and as they look to really respond to this continued aggression from russia. >> thank you very much. let's get some in depth now. the professor at the university of essex. >> fighting has broken out on the streets of kharkiv. >> sure. good to be with you. as pointed out, it is ukraine's second largest city. very russian speaking but no less patriotic. it is a center of learning and innovation. a lot of folks will be moved to flee are those young people. i could also mention about lviv.

this is far away from the fighting but feeling more like a city under siege. on my way here, i talked to a lot of ukrainians making molotov cocktails. it is more difficult to get money and food. many received messages from people who are close to intelligence sources and as a reminder taking over ukraine. one more quick thing. when you go through someone's home, the first thing you do is go down to see where their bomb shelter is. >> as noted, there may be some sort of sign from vladamir putin. the expelling of russian banks.

they are considering targeting russian banks. how badly do these steps hurt vladamir putin. >> referring this move from banning the banks from some sort of financial weapon. this would really, really hurt the russian economy. we think about the sanctions. those made it very difficult for russia's economy to grow that this will impact more throughout russia and impact russia's elite. i'm always concerned of putin

because he's becoming increasingly isolated. it is one of the most risky decisions he's made until the elites that prop him upstart to put pressure against him. advisors are more distance from him and afraid of him. in the meantime, they will really have huge damage to the russian population. some of those you spoke to to take other steps. their are military experts that expert kyiv may fall and may

transition from an open war fare and uncertainty. i wonder if you've spoken to about that idea that soon this will become gorilla war fare. a lot of them have not even held weapons before but things like mobilizing and getting to the extent. the other thing to note is that the men are expected to stay here and fight. on another really important front. i'm hearing from a lot of people about the crisis at the border. it is a catastrophe.

i just received a note who waited 27 hours on foot to cross the border. a big reason is ukrainians are doing identity checks to see who is leaving. western partners need to put gentle pressure off the ukrainians and let people through. the diasper community need to provide financial support for whoever is needed. >> critics have charged vladamir putin before in syria and this could be seen as other instance. >> arriving in minsk.

they claim they are there to talk. is there hope this will become diplomatic? >> i really don't think so. >> belarus is not a neutral location. the president there is basically a lachee of putin. that's not a neutral place to have any kind of decisions. too much has happened at this point. this time for ukraine is to fight back. they feel the russians have gone too far. they've engaged in war crimes. they've been bombing

indiscriminately. russians claim they are targeting military when the ukrainian president has aired that they are targeting civilians. i think diplomatic effort to come to some kind of agreement right now aren't going to happen anytime soon. i think putin overplayed his hand in completely misunderstooding the ukrainian resolve to fight back. i think he thought he would quickly take over the country and get ukraine to do what he wants it to do. i think he's been surprised by how much ukrainians have fought back. >> on an all-time high, he's galvanized and got nato to join the west.

thank you. we appreciate it. more than 150,000 people have been forced to leave ukraine. we'll have the latest on the growing refugee crisis. >> we'll show you how cities are standing against the russian attack. which, when turned into fuel, cacan help power a plane. at chevronon's el segundo refinery, we're looking to turn plant-based oil into renewable gasoline, jet and diesel fuels. our planet offers countless sources of energy. but it's only human to find the ones that could power a better future.

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the last few days have had the makings of a humanitarian crisis. more than 150,000 people have already fled across international borders going to neighboring countries. >> the largest group which amounts to more than half are headed to poland. >> this bus has just arrived. we can see a sort of reunion happening here. this bus just arrived from the ukrainian border. there has been a steady stream

of buses like this going into a parking lot turning into something of a makeshift reception center. the vast majority of them would have walked for hours. you'll notice most of them are women and children because men between 18 to 60 are not permitted to leave. all of these people here holding up the signs are volunteers. they've written the names of people in various different cities can get a ride to to get free accommodation. one thing that is eerie is how quiet it is. people you can see coming off the bus are completely shell shocked. we've talked to a number of

people here and at train station. many still struggling to comprehend what is happening and how less than a week ago, they were able to wake up in their own homes and parents have to figure out you ho to describe this to their children. one mother we met was smiling. she said, i have to smile because it is the only way i can control my his tieria. >> it is quite jarring when you think about the reality hereof mothers and wives who said goodbye to husbands, fathers, sons who had to remain behind in ukraine. so many families torn apart. we met so many people in poland who said their loved ones.

their elderly inside unable to make the journey. no one knows what is going to happen at this stage or next. you really see how sobering that reality is when you look at people's faces as they are coming off these buses and they are trying to figure out where they are going to go. >> thank you so much. one of those situations where we watch from the comforts of our homes and we can only empathize and not even imagine how this is for them. many people in ukraine, they need shelter. food and water. you will find several ways you can help. we thank you in advance for doing so. >> other pictures from around the world are this. people standing with ukraine.

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>> you've seen some of the pictures but listen to what is happening in kyiv. the city on high alert. streets around the city are empty. we've heard many people are spending the night in subway stations and under ground garages to try and stay safe. >> as conditions worsen, even more refugees are expected to pour into neighboring countries to escape the violence. we spoke to a member of the parliament about the situation. >> first of all, you have to watch out for the sirens. every time you hear the siren, you go to the bomb shelter. it is usually two or three times during the day. four or five times at night. during the night, we usuallile

expect russian soldiers. every evening goal is to stand up to the morning. they close the city with the shells. cover it with the shells. at some point, they just bring their people with the guns inside the city. our army is hitting the strategic spots. then the resist tense, such as myself is taking care of the smaller groups of russian soldiers for coming into the city. so far, we have been doing very well. so far, in the day-to-day life. we don't have the open super markets anymore. maybe one or two. everybody has storage of food and water. we know it will be a shortage at some time and humanitarian

issues. we are getting ready with days spent driving around to help each other to prepare. we are preparing both foreseeing or attack. the worst thing. really the worst thing is how you act and tell children why they have to get down to the ground when the sirens are on. >> you tweeted that while waiting for air strikes to pass, you said, quote, you imagine what life would look like when the war is over. tell me, what do you imagine? >> as a member of parliament. i'm very practical and concerned about every hit the russians make, we'll have to rebuild.

i am concerned about everything they say oh, they blow the bridge. i'm thinking oh, shoot, how are we going to rebuild it? we'll have to work with the traumas of our children after what they experienced. we'll have to rebuild the country from scratch. if at that point -- there will be no russia or russia will be decapitated. we will not have to spend 10% of our income on the defense. then we'll have such a great chance to rebuild the country to like a whole new world. this is what i'm thinking of. >> you said earlier and i'll go back to it. you think about what you should tell the children when all of this is going on. what do you tell them? >> so my friend suggested this and i want to share with you. when you have to tell child,

there will be an attack. you don't tell them to go on the ground. you tell them, let's play a game of turtle. go on your belly, open your mouth and cover your here's. we have to pretend we are turtles many times. >> i can't imagine what it is like to tell kids like that. >> you have to be very calm and brave. when you are telling this, you are getting very, very angry. this makes me take the things and go out. why do ukrainian children have to suffer through that? because the crazy tyrant decided he wants our land and they'll be

traumatized for life and be survivors of the war. that makes me so, so vicious, you can't even imagine. this is the best mood to go out and fight russians at. >> events in ukraine have inspired people around the world to go out in the street. protesters channel demand for peace. students call on students to leave ukraine. >> the rally in front of the white house. thousands of people gathered there. cnn reporter is in new york where demonstrations overtook time square. >> this weekend, we saw ukrainian americans coming together with a message half a world away in a peaceful rally

in time square on saturday. the message was two fold and calling on the united states and other western governments to do more and restore peace in ukraine. in that sea of blue and yellow, we met a young motherer who fled in 2014 after the initial invasion. >> i think the whole world needs to unite. the history, all of this repeats. now the time to stop. the same thing when the second world war started. now is the time to say no and stop one person who keeps in fear the whole world. >> something also notable, we heard from russian americans including one 31-year-old new yorker born in st. petersburg. he was participating in this demonstration. certainly not lost on him that

he's seen already several russians protesting. >> thank you so much. russian news coverage looked very different from what you are seeing here on cnn and other western news media. >> many of those russian reports have proven false in recent days. we have the details. >> reporter: in the west, russia is usually depicted as a pretty sophisticated user of proof ganda. in moscow, it is some what different. state propaganda and media is looking more ineffective. example, cnn and others are showing live pictures of attacks in kyiv and other ukrainian cities. in russia, state media do not

show live pictures from downtown kyiv. they are showing what are attacks in the eastern part of the country. those break away donbas regions, which they argue are being attacked by ukrainians. that's part of the strategy of the kremlin. they are forbidding the media from using words like war, intervention or attack. in government speak, it is a special military operation. the government wants them to use only official government information. how are the russians reacting to this? the majority do support the operation but others do not. we've seen russians on the streets of moscow, st. petersberg. about 26, 27 cities so far

showing up and protesting. they are quickly usually detained and arrested. here in moscow, there have been people who have gone to ukrainian embassy and laid f flowers in support. on social media, there is a lot of support and attack of using any type of violence against ukraine. there are memes. people are using music. finally, young russians, the thing we are hearing most is that they fear their future in the west. the ability to travel, the ability to study may be taken away as russia becomes more and more isolated because of this military action. reporting from moscow. >> jill, thank you for that report. coming up, the russian invasion is sending oil prices

soaring. a look at how that is impacting americans at home. we'll be right back. ne. at chevron's el segundo refinery, we're looking to turn plant-based oil into renewable gasoline, jet and diesel fuels. our planet offers countless sources of energy. but it's only human to find the ones that could power a better future. (ted koppel) 30 million americans have copd, half don't yet know it. every one of them is especially lnerable to covid-19. help us find them at copdsos.org.

43 minutes past hour now. russia's invasion of ukraine could cause gas prices to reach $4 a gallon across the country in weeks or even sooner. >> this morning, the national average price climbed to $3.60 a gallon according to triple a. president biden pledged to use every tool to help shield americans from paying more at the pump. >> reporter: prices at the pump could continue to increase here and across the country. california leads the nation with these prices. this gas station for premium, you are paying $6.35 for what some would say is cheaper or

regular gas, you are paying $6.31. prices may be lower in other parts of the country, we could all be impacted by the crisis. in part because russia is a major exporter and producer of oil. ukraine is a key energy transit hub. with this crisis, experts are predicting is $4 an average in the u.s. in a matter of weeks. that's the price we could see by midmarch. if so, it will be the highest price we've seen since the summer of 2008. i talked to a couple of tourists who told me as soon as they saw the price, they had to take a picture and post it. the reaction they got was shock. >> it makes a difference. especially when you you are commuting to and from work.

i work at a college. a lot of the college students are like, oh, my god, gas. >> i work in arizona. i spend about $15 a day each way to commute. it is really adding up. >> experts believe in california, $5 would be the average or the norm in just a couple of weeks. other parts of the country where prices of gas are relatively lower. texas, oklahoma, kansas. they may not get to that $4 average price but overall, everyone will see an increase. jp morgan saying if there is some sort of disruption in the exports, then we'll see the price of oil increase. right now, it's just over $100 a barrel. if there is a disruption, we are likely to see $120, $150 a

barrel. >> thank you. he has become the face of solidarity and defiance in ukraine. how president zelenskyy went from an actor to a war-time president.

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the united nation says more than 150,000 ukrainians are fleeing, many have decided to stay and fight. they've taken up arms, fashioning weapons ut of household items. >> these are i have civilians without any military training who say they must step up. we have more. >> these are ukraine's civilian defenders. local residents taking up arms and ready to fight. already here in the suburb in kyiv, there's been blood spilled. >> the people were here and covered by this.

>> deadly contact between these volunteers and russian forces. >> i've never served in army. >> volunteers like this who was an economic analyst who tells him before this russian invasion made him a fighter. >> you work in a school. you work in an office but now you are defending your city? >> correct. >> i didn't think i would join this unit just two days ago. i don't know how to handle guns. yesterday, it came me that russians are in the city. i mean, it is close to the point that i have completely changed my mind and have decided i should do something about it. >> just hours before, this

northern kyiv suburb was the scene of fire fights as russian forces probe the ukrainian capital. the entire city and residents are embracing and preparing for more. >> those are your molotov cocktails? >> yes. >> show me. >> this is what i have to use to stop the town. >> these are your molotov cocktails, petro bombs. >> yes. >> you make these yourselves? >> no. the people near. >> they may be needed very soon. we left the building, more shots range out as russia's assault on the city seems at hand. image you auto chance, cnn,

kyiv, ukraine. i think i've heard him referred to as a hero so many times. i'm talking about ukrainian president zelenskyy. he says he is number one target for the russians. but those with putin's forces who are just miles outside of kyiv at this point, kyiv is not b bulging. >> even turning down an offer of evacuation saying he needs ammunition, not a ride. >> reporter: a few years ago, zelenskyy may not have imagined himself here. he was known then as a comedian in the tv series, "servant of the people."

on that show, his character unexpectedly became president of ukraine. life imitated art positioning himself as an outside fighter. he won a landslide victory in 2014. >> his background is jewish. he was very comfortable in the russian world. he maid a business and appeals not just to ukrainians but also russians. >> he became enmeshed in the scandal that led to donald trump's first impeach trial. a phone call that asked him to lean on allegations against joe biden's family in ukraine. allegations never supported. he later said trump pressured him. >> he handled it well. he understood what was being

asked was outrageous. >> this was the 44-year-old's message to his country yesterday. >> translator: the enemy has marked me as target number one. my family as target number two. they want to destroy ukraine politically by destroying the head of state. >> zelenskyy told eu leaders yesterday, this might be the last time you see me alive. >> how enormous is the pressure he's under right now? >> really tremendous. it is clear he's alone. and russians have a target on his head. >> by end of the night, zelenskyy's warning to the nation was dire. >> translator: this night will be very difficult. the enemy will use all available forces to break the ukrainians. >> you need a real

churchill-type of leader. he is finding the right tenor and message. >> thank you so much. from building molotov cocktails and standing in the way of russian tanks, the ukrainian people are refusing to back down as russian military attacks for a fourth day. we'll have the latest from the front lines when we come back.

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your "new day." it's sunday, february 27th. i'm boris sanchez. >> i'm c