this is cnn breaking news.

>> welcome to our viewers here in the united states and all around the world. i'm paula newton at cnn headquarters in atlanta. we're following breaking developments in the war on ukraine. in the coming hours, ukraine and russia are scheduled to hold another round of talks, as russia expands and still intensifies its unprovoked assault on the country. we're learning moscow will be looking for some help. a senior u.s. official says russia has asked china for military assistance in ukraine, including the use of drones. that would be a significant development in russia's invasion. and antony blinken condemned russia's attack on the military

base near poland. and cnn cannot independently confirm the claim that they've abducted a second mayor. but the new mayor says russian tv channels will now be broadcast in the region. and the country remains defiant and determined. [ speaking foreign language ] >> translator: russia also lost thousands of units of military weaponry. we understand they've got more. but we also know that we shall continue defending ourselvourse. ukraine does not surrender. the whole of ukraine is fighting heroically. >> as this conflict grinds on, one thing seems increasingly career. attacks against ukraine are growing more and more destructive.

here's orin lieberman with more. >> reporter: the attack on the military base is the closest russian attack to a nato member, killing at least 35 people and wounding more than 100 others. russia's full-scale invasion of ukraine grows more destructive by the day. nine people killed in a russian bombardment near the black sea. and the city of mariupol, burning. hundreds of thousands without power and water. nearly 2,200 people have been killed there since russia's invasion began. the ukrainian president says help is on the way if it can get through. [ speaking foreign language ] >> translator: our humantorian convoy is two hours away.

even the church priests es escoes escorting the convoy have been blocked. ukraine has supplied 100 tons of basic necessities in this war. >> reporter: and an american journalist, brent renaud, has been killed. another journalist was wounded. the widening attack on ukraine has not deterred the u.s. and allies from shipping in weapons and equipment that have proven effective in slowing down russia. >> we believe we can continue to flow weapons and military assistance to the front lines to help the ukrainians ensure that ukraine is a strategic failure for vladimir putin. >> reporter: multiple rounds of discussion between russia and ukraine have failed. but more talks are scheduled for

monday. >> we're showing signs of progress, but as your reporter said, it seems like so far, vladimir putin is intent on destroying ukraine. >> reporter: russia has so far been unable to encircle kyiv. meanwhile, the u.s. is watching for possible chemical weapons, in a possible false flag operation. >> we haven't seen anything that indep indicates some imminent chemical weapon attack, but we're watching very closely. >> reporter: a historic church sheltering more than 500 displaced before, but it's been des destroyed. in the first major ukrainian city to fall to russia,

protesters with a brave show of spirit. another $200 million in security assistance approved by the white house over the weekend. after they approved $350 million just a couple of weeks ago. we see the white house and the biden administration moving quickly here. more than half a billion dollars in a couple of weeks. and it's getting in within days. anti-tank, anti-armor, anti-aircraft missiles, and more. in the meantime, jake sullivan will meet his chinese counterpart in rome in hours. this comes as reports are that russia is asking china for military assistance. steven, the headline, china possibly giving military, not

economic aid. what more do we know? >> reporter: we've asked the chinese foreign ministry for comment. we have not heard back. but i expect officials to stick to their usual talking points, stressing china's supposed impartiality in this conflict, and denouncing the u.s. for quote-unquote trying to smear china. and talking about eastward expansion as the cause of the conflict. but the timing of this from washington is very interesting. jake sullivan is meeting the country's key adviser to president xi in just a few hours in rome. the chinese have framed the meeting as long-planned, not something hastily arranged because of the situation in ukraine. and state media outlets may be

anticipating of the u.s. exerting more pressure on beijing, have warned the u.s. not to try to sow division between china and moscow. but it's a sign they're keeping communication channels open in this crisis. almost from the beginning of this war, the chinese have been trying to strike this impossible balance, standing behind russia, especially when it comes to parroting a lot of the propaganda, some would say disinformation, from the kremlin. but also saying the right things in terms of calling for piece, and asking both sides to exercise maximum restraint. and trying to minimize their exposure to increasingly severe western sanctions. in recent days, some analysts have been pointing to subtle signs of changes. for example, china providing some small-scale humanitarian

assistance to ukraine. and with some of their companies indicating their willingness to comply with western sanctions. at the end of the day, most experts say china seems to have dw adopted this strategy of saying things but not doing much of anything. they're trying to wait things out, for the crisis to clarify. at the end of the day, a weak and bitter russia would have no option but to move closer into a partnership with china. that's why people are skeptical of china getting directly involved. >> steven, really appreciate that perspective from beijing for us. joining me now to discuss everything, david sanger.

we're learning on you on what has been another busy few hours. let's get first to what you make of the u.s. making public its intelligence. we know they leaked this for a reason, saying that, you know, russia is asking for china's help militarily. we talked about the meeting of jake sullivan and his chinese counterpart. why did the u.s. want to set the table in this way? >> all through the war, and the run-up to the war, we've seen the biden administration consistently declassifying intelligence, and making it public for america's benefit. what does this do by revealing this? first, it makes putin look as if he has bitten off more than he can chew. that he is going to the chinese to bail him out of a military operation that he hadn't thought

entirely through. this drives vladimir putin crazy, because he hates to be seen as a sort of vassal state to the chinese. and it puts the chinese in a tough spot. it was only three weeks ago this weekend that the munich security conference, the foreign minister of china told us that china respects the sovereign and independence of nations, including ukraine. they want be happy with what putin has done. now, by revealing this, the u.s. has put the chinese in a really tough spot. if they say yes, and give the aid to russia, then they're going back on what they said publicly three weeks ago. if they say no, it becomes clear that the alliance of a sort that was announced between putin and

xi at the opening of the olympics in january isn't worth much. >> yeah. and it's definitely taking a side, either way they go down that road. the u.s. is really cornering them, at least on that, as you said. i want to go to whether or not there can be a negotiated settlement on this. you posted a fairly pessimistic story about what this is looking like. i want to get to the issue, despite putin's brabravado, he knows this is not going well. we have the leaders of turkey and israel trying as well. >> turkey, israel, and france. and they're talking about basically the same thing. some kind of deal in which ukraine would declare that it is neutral, change its constitution, which currently calls for it to seek membership

in nato. we've already heard president zelenskyy say that he might be able to live with this, because he's come to recognize that nato isn't going to let him in anytime soon. the harder part would be the russian demand that ukraine recognize that crimea is now a part of russia. and recognize these two semi-independent states that russia has recognized. and those are both across the donbas. he has to agree to give up a big chunk of his country. in return, he might get some better security guarantees. but it seems hard to imagine right now that he would trust that putin would then pull back his troops. >> yeah. and as you're speaking, we're showing video of zelenskyy

meeting with soldiers and giving them medals. as you said, it's hard to envision him backing down in that way. and i wanted to talk to you about what is ahead for the biden administration. they've faced some criticism. what more will they be under pressure to do in the coming days? we know the red lines already that biden has carefully drawn. but there must be pressure building. >> there is pressure on them. obviously, they got a lot of pressure to arrange for the delivery of those mig fighters that poland had, and they decided that was over the line. but they don't seem to have a problem delivering anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons. and i think there will be more of that done. take a look to see whether or not they've pressured turkey to take the s-400s that turkey brought over american objections

from russia and deliver those to ukraine. that would solve a few problems together. and get turkey back in american good graces. i think i would also take a look to see whether or not the united states finds more ways to cut russia off from the international banking system by sealing off the rest of the s.w.i.f.t. system from russian banks. right now, only a few banks are. the risk here, of course, as we described in the story todatoday, that makes putin feel even more cornered. and so far, what officials are saying, when cornered, he usually doubles down. >> we've learned that in the more than two decades that putin has been the leader of russia. we'll continue to watch it all unfold in the coming week. david, thanks again. appreciate it. >> great to be with you.

now, in another troubling development, the staff of the chernobyl nuclear power plant are so tired, they stopped carrying out repairs and maintenance of safety equipment. that's according to the iaea. they say the fatigue of working nonstop for nearly three weeks is partly to blame. the agency's director general has proposed a plan to deliver assistance, but it must be approved by ukraine and russian authorities before it's implemented. ukraine's train system, you will want to hear about how they're keeping people and supplies moving, despite the russiaian invasion.

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♪ even as war rages, music still has the power to uplift and give hope. this group of violinists recorded themselves performing an old ukrainian folk song, some of them hiding in bomb shelters as they played. now, 94 other musicians from 29

countries sent in music over the last two days. their music, a show of support for ukraine. and ukraine and russia are expected to hold another round of talks in the next couple of years. the ukrainians are determined to defend their country until the attacks stop. here's more. >> the whole country is highly motivated to stop russian aggression and the war. there is nothing that is possibly can break the will of our women and men. we all stand together, and we're highly motivated to stand together, because this is our h home. that's where our children were going to school, where our relatives are buried in the ground. this is our home. there's no way we're going to

leave. why? because this is our home. we'll defend the country until our last drop of blood. >> and regarding how much time we have, we have a lot of time. we never lose the fight for our homes and our future. it's the whole population against russian aggressors. and we never give up. and that's why we continue this war. but the key, which can stop this war, is the unity of all. we need political pressure, sanction pressure, and, please, weapon deliveries to ukraine. we're ready to fight. not just for our city or our country, we're fighting the exact same, for the same principles. it's this war, it can touch

anyone, everyone in the european union, in europe, and can touch everyone in the world. >> the mayor of kyiv along with his brother. refugees fleeing the violence in ukraine are braving brutal weather conditions, temperatures well below freeding, as they wait in long lines to cross the border into moldova. more than 2.7 million people have now fled ukraine. some are revealing horrific stories. >> translator: we're bombarded. houses blown up. we're scared. >> i have friends in kyiv. they stay underground three, four days. they did not see the sky or the sun. i can't imagine what they feel. but for me, it was enough to

feel one time the vibration of the house from the bomb. >> ukraine's railway system continues to be a reliable lifeline for its people despite the bombings. but being targeted by russia is a challenge for its operators. scott mcclain has the story. >> reporter: the city's lights have been kept off since the war began. completely upending normal life. but through it all, ukraine's rail network has kept running. every morning, executives gather for a morning call. no cell phones, no zoom. just a soviet era closed circuit that connects every station.

>> the strategy is to move fast so they don't catch you. >> reporter: how long can you stay in one place? >> hours. >> reporter: instead, their work managing 231,000 employees continues on a single car train headed west, for now. often their work is aboard ordinary passenger trains to blend in with the masses. since the war began, they've been in near constant motion, cris-crossing the country to keep the russians guessing. the decision to leave their headquarters in kyiv was made in the early morning hours of february 24th. one last picture snapped with his two young kids, one still asleep. are they still in ukraine? how does that make you feel? >> for me, it's easier, when i know that they're safe and i have time to do my job. >> reporter: the country's rail network, one of the largest in

the world, has been a lifeline in war. moving desperately needed supplies in, and desperate people out of danger. more than 2 million since the war began. schedules change often. how on earth have people still been able to use the trains in a war zone? >> that's something which is surprising for the whole country. and for the president as well. >> reporter: surprising because every day, the network is hit by russian bombs. small damage breaks the link between cities temporarily. a downed bridge, indefinitely. an undetonated bomb falling next to some racks. >> translator: we're reacting, and repairing every day. unfortunately, some of my colleagues have been killed and injured during shelling. >> reporter: 33 killed, 24

injured, and counting. the difficulty working aboard a moving train, the cell phone signal is not always great. they have starlink internet systems courtesy of elon musk, but they barely turn them on, because they say it makes it easier for the russians to target them. the russians have taken control in rail links in certain cities. but for now, all of the major hubs are still connected by ukrainian rail. how bad would it be if the russians took these major stations? >> really bad. don't ask me how bad. but really bad. >> reporter: when the train reaches lviv, he makes a quick visit to the main station. and more calls and meetings, and a message for the rest of the world. >> what we can do, we're already doing. what the west can do, close the sky, and all the rest, we'll do

ourselves. >> okay. now, the arts have long been considered a bridge between countries. but a new report says russian artists abroad are facing pressure to take a stand against the war in ukraine. we'll dig further into the story after the break. this is vuity™, the first and only fda approved eye-drop

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welcome back.

i'm paula newton. our top story this hour, russia and ukraine are expected to hold another round of talks in the coming hours. officials on both sides have signaled that they are making progresses. but so more, no breakthroughs. and in ukraine, the fighting continues. russian tanks firing inside mariupol. and we've also learned that russia has asked for military assistance from china. meantime, russia expanded its offensive in western ukraine sunday with a deadly attack on a base there. at least 35 people killed, and more than 130 injured. ukraine's president is warning

russian strikes could soon hit beyond ukraine's borders. he's calling for, once again, a no-fly zone. >> translator: if you do not close our sky, it's only a matter of time before russian missiles fall on your territory, nato territory. on the homes of citizens of nato countries. >> and this is having an affect on the art world. "the times" reports that as global condemnation of russia's actions grows, russian artists are pressured to take a stand. ♪ this singer will not perform the company after this season. she issued a statement against

the war, but did not distance herself with mr. putin. and the chief conductor has been fired. and the author of this article joins us now from new york. given that culture is supposed to elevate our human experience, not merely reflect it, some of the moves seem punitive. can you give us insight on how these decisions were made? >> there hasn't been much of a clear decision making process, in many cases. some places have been caught off-guard, and they're making it up as they go along. some are demanding that artists denounce putin and the invasion before they can perform.

others are combing through social media posts to figure out where to draw the line. but for many, it's an arbitrary process right now. >> that doesn't seem where we should be when it comes to complicated subjects. many people are not given the option of being silence. some are saying that silence is complicity. but even speaking out seems to not have been enough. the case of the piano virtuoso, his performances were canceled even though he denounced the war. he wrote himself, why has the whole world rolled back into a state of where every person has a choice between fear or hatred? in that post, and let's keep in mind, he's a young man, only 20 years old. what is he getting at there? >> i think there is a sort of frustration among many artists

about the rules and expectations now. a lot of them say, to thrive in russia, for example, you need to have some sort of involvement with the state. it's an essential part of having a career there. if they were to speak out, they may face reprisals. it's a frustration among many artists that has spread across the industry, and they're beginning to speak up more and more. >> why do you think this has happened? this is very reductive, along with the war on the ground, i may add. this is collective punishment. why has it been difficult for the cultural institutions to stick with the principle, we want to make putin, perhaps, a pariah, but not russians themselves? >> they're facing pressure from donors and from staff and

community members. they fear protests if they host russian artists with strong political views on this. i think the pressure is amplified by social media, where there have been campaigns to cancel certain russian artists. a lot of institutions that are not accustomed to dealing with geopolitical issues, they are proud to float above the fray of current events, but they're suddenly in the mix and not really sure how to go forward. >> you know, has it been different this time, though? i'm going to lean on your experience as a china correspondent for years. >> certainly, i think, there is concern, pspeaking of china. if you had chinese artists, if you started to demand they denounce every action of the

beijing government, where would that lead us? and does this open the door to even more sweeping demands of artists, to a point where that could put many of them in jeopardy? but others feel there is this moral obligation, to be a moral institution, you must be aware of how your artists feel, and if they're saying things you find abhorrent, and that people oppose, is it your obligation to distance yourselves from those artists? there are two sides to this. and in the months ahead, we'll see how these arts institutions come down. >> it certainly will be scarring if they change their opinions. ja javier, i appreciate you being with us. >> thanks so much. the 2022 baftas were held in london, kicking off a statement

in support for ukraine. actors and filmmakers wore blue and yellow to show their support. others called on the british government to step up and do more to help the ukrainian people. that included filmmakers stuck inside the country. >> we feel what is happening in ukraine is absolutely horrific and disgusting. if anything, we just have to make it really known loudly and clearly that we want the british government to do more. they're not doing enough. >> the support for ukraine, trying to help people escape. and to just be ever present of the horrors amongst this celebration. it's a 2 1/2-hour flight from here, people are experiencing

war. >> and an actress introducing film makers, giving the middle finger, that was blurred out. coming up, we'll meet one family in the united states. that's next. it's the number one doctor recommended brand that is scientifically designed to help manage your blood sugar. live every moment. glucerna. ♪ lisa here, has had many jobs. she's worked in retail during the holidays. as a barista during rush hour. and a nanny to a couple of rambunctious kids. now, all that experience has led her to a job that feels like home.

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more than 850 people were

detained in anti-war protests across russia sunday. a human rights group says they're no longer just detaining protesters, they're trying to identify unreliable people in places where demonstrations were announced. ot overall, nearly 15,000 anti-war protesters have been detained since the war began. we've recounted stories of bravery, people staying behind to fight for their country. now some ukrainians living overseas are returning home to provide support. gary tuchman spoke with some worried about their loved ones who chose to return home to ukraine. >> reporter: at this house in bucks county, pennsylvania, these ukrainian american family members give each other comfort. they all left ukraine for

america more than two decades ago. but once the war started, things changed. this woman's husband has gone back to ukraine to help his country. >> i don't have any more tears left. it's very emotional. >> reporter: but her husband did not go alone. her 62-year-old father flew with him. and they both met up with her younger brother, who recently married. in this room are the parents of her husband, and her mother has her husband and son in ukraine. it's complicated, and sometimes overwhelming. >> i'm proud for my son. for my husband, for my son-in-law. for all ukraine. i'm proud. >> reporter: before her husband flew to ukraine, he was presented with helmets and bulletproof vests by one of the local police departments.

he and his relatives are part of a supply distribution network to ukrainians. her family and friends arranged for cases of supplies to be flown in to poland several days a week. they pick up the supplies and distribute them, and drive refugees from ukraine to poland. >> we've packed things like armored vests, helmets, gauze, tourniquets, two-way radios, medicine. >> reporter: their primary location for delivering the items, the ukrainian military base that was just hit by a deadly russian attack. when she heard about the attack, she was extremely frightened. >> i started calling. i couldn't think. i couldn't think. i feel like i had, you know, white noise in my ears. >> reporter: a short time later, she heard from her husband. they were all okay. but the fears for her family, which include cousins in the ukrainian army, and her fears

for ukrainian civilians have resulted in -- >> panic attacks, unfortunately. just unbelievable sadness and sorrow for the suffering. >> reporter: their three children are 9, 7, and 3. their parents are very upfront with them. do you think your dad is brave. >> yes. >> reporter: how come? >> because he went to ukraine, and there's a big war there. >> reporter: are you worried about him? >> yes. >> reporter: you're a good daughter to be worried. but he promised you he'll be okay, right? and that makes you feel good. >> yes. >> reporter: before we leave, she tries to call her husband. but there's no answer. she knows he's probably just fine. but once again, she worries and hopes for a call back soon. >> i'll keep watching ukrainian soldiers telling us that they're winning. and telling us that everything

will be over soon. so this is what gives me strength. and i don't spiral into this panic. >> reporter: do you believe that in your heart, that it will be over soon, and victory will be ukraine's? >> i believe victory will be ukraine's, and i hope it will be over soon. >> for one ukrainian football star, sunday's match was more than just a game. his emotional return to the pitch, when we come back.

so over the past few weeks, russia's warned ukraine has ripped families apart. we've seen heartache and tearful goodbyes as millions of people flee for their lives. but we've also seen very emotional reunions. this was the polish-ukrainian border on sunday. a ukrainian mother, you see her there, meeting her children at the checkpoint. not everyone has been able, though, to reach safety. the russians are attacking major

cities, and the u.n. reports nearly 600 civilian deaths. and there are likely more. it's believed the actual number is considerably higher. we can all relate to that, right? now it was an emotional return to the pitch for ukraine's andre yarmolenko. on sunday he came off the bench to score the team's opening goal. cnn world sport anchor patrick snell has more. >> reporter: the ukrainian international andrew yarmolenko, this day was about so much more than football. the 32-year-old had been on compassionate leave from west ham since russia's invasion of ukraine. but on sunday he was back playing, off the bench to huge applause. and then yarmolenko, with 20 minutes left, a sublime touch and a superb finish for the opener in the premier league victory over aston villa. the player then visibly breaking down in tears, dropping to his

knees. mobbed by teammates, his reaction both powerful and poignant. >> it was so emotional for me because, you know, the situation in my country. and it's -- it's so difficult for me right now at this moment thinking about football because every day in my country russia's army kill ukrainians people. and it was so emotional, just it's one thing i can say. >> the words of andriy yarmolenko there on sunday. meanwhile, elsewhere chelsea league's fans arriving since the russian billionaire owner roman abramovitch was sanctioned by the uk. on saturday the board

disqualifying abramovich as a club director. chelsea are allowed to continue playing under a special license, but they can't buy or sell players, sell new tickets to upcoming kammes or sell any club merchandise. in one corner of the ground, a banner featurie ing abramovich' face. fans briefly chanting his name, chelsea beating newcastle on sunday, 1-0 thanks to the brilliantly taken winner. and a winning sunday too for chelsea women's team. sealing their victory on one minute home after an outstanding strike from australian star sam kerr against auston villa. patrick snell, cnn, atlanta. okay. and finally we have a bit of a distraction for you. it is a bit curious, but it turns out that retirement doesn't seem to sit well with tom brady. the legendary 44-year-old quarterback says he will return

for his 23rd season in the national football league. it was just last month, right, you remember that brady said he was retiring after his second season with the tampa bay buccaneers. but on sunday, he tweeted, yes, he did, "these past two months i've realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. that time will come, but it's not now. the shortest retirement on record. i'm not sure. stay with us. our breaking news coverage from ukraine begins after a short break. (vo) small businesses are joining the big switch. save over $1,000 when you switch to our ultimate business plan for the lowest price evever. plus choose from the latest t g smartphones. get more 5g g bars in more plac- switch to t-mobile for business today.

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we keep moving forward. we discover exciting new technologies. redefine who we are and how we want to lead our lives. basically, choose what we want our future to look like. so what's yours going to be?

this is cnn breaking news. >> hello and welcome to our viewers around the world and in the united states this hour. i'm hala gorani live in lviv, ukraine. russia is asking china for economic and military assistance in ukraine, including drones, according to a u.s. official. but a spokesperson for the chinese embassy in washington says they know nothing about the matter. meantime, white house national security adviser jake sullivan will meet his chinese counterpart in rome in the coming hou