as long as we remember ♪ >> special thanks to dave matthews. i'm wolf blitzer in ""the situation room."" i'll be back in half an hour for our new streaming service, cnn plus with my new show called the newscast. it is also available on demand. until then, thanks very much for watching. >> out front next, breaking news. the assault on eastern ukraine has begun. putin ramping up his attacks as the pentagon warns tonight the fighting will be ugly and bloody. plus, russian forces firing willingly on factory as civilians take shelter. i'm going to speak to a member of the city council that said at least 10,000 died in his town. and masks on, masks off again. a federal judge strikes down the

cdc mandate for travelers as airports brace for mass confusion and chaos. let's go "out front." good evening, everyone. i'm kate baldwin in for erin burnett. the offensive is on. russia's widespread attack in eastern ukraine under way at this hour. ukrainian officials are calling it the second phase of the war. this as the ukrainian president zelenskyy warns the russians are stopping at nothing. >> translator: the russian army is not slowing down the use of missiles against ukraine. they are pressuring, looking for a weak spot in defense of our state find and enter there with the main forces. >> as the violence continues, there is a fear the worst is still to come. >> we do believe they reinforced the number of battalion tactical groups in the east and the south of ukraine. they've added now more than ten to what they already had there in that part of the country.

we still assess that in general they have the vast majority of their assembled combat power available to them. >> and that is a terrifying assessment, especially given what the world has seen over just the past 24 hours. the state department now calling it a campaign of terror, brutality and aggression against innocent ukrainian that's stretches hundreds of miles. in the east, towns are under relentless shelling. you can see the buildings burning, heavy smoke blanketing the skyline. it is scene repeated. the be picture is growing even more grim. ukrainian fighters are cornered as they make what could be their last stand. coming up i'm going to speak to a member of the city's council. to the west, in lviv, the first deaths recorded there since the beginning of the war. the first time lives were lost there due to russian air strikes. [ siren sounds ]

>> ukrainian officials say a number of military infrastructure facilities were hit as well as an auto body shop. we're told at least seven people were killed. this comes as we're getting a new image tonight of putin's prized warship just before it sank. you can see it at thistilting. there is significant scarring to the left of the vessel. we have reporters across ukraine this evening as well as in astona where ukrainian refugees are making their way after having to travel through russia, no less. but first, i want to start with jim sciutto. he is out front and live in lviv. i know you just heard air raid sirens. what is the latest? >> in the last half hour, new air raid sirens, the third time today. what you do, you listen for the sirens and then the booms, right? soon after the explosions and

then soon after that we saw smoke rising over the city. four missiles striking here and breaking what had been tentative sense of calm. >> a missile streaks across the sky over lviv in western ukraine. russian forces launching cruise missiles on multiple targets here. the auto repair shop. just as it was getting ready to open several employees on site. transformed into an inferno, also hit, what the regional military governor described as three military warehouses. this is the scene of one of the missile strikes this morning. you can see the emergency responders back here. but as we arrived, another air raid signal went off. soldiers concerned that this will be a secondary strike on the same target. ukrainian soldiers ordered us behind the concrete barricade.

>> one member of the territorial defense forces cocked his rifle as he shouted at us to move back. we took shelter in a closed restaurant. after several hours, finally the all clear signal. and this is what was left behind. two ambulances outside one of the damaged military warehouses guarded by ukrainian soldiers, damaged cars. fallen trees. a section of railroad tracks from dozens of yards by the force of the blast. the auto repair shop destroyed. the owner told cnn several were killed here. in all, the victims numbered 7 said, 11 wounded including a child. one toll in one city among many suffering through war here. >> russia proferring again today

something it has shown throughout this war since the start of the invasion, it can strike, bomb with missiles, with artillery, from the air virtually across the country. that said, we're seeing the bulk of the forces concentrated in the east and the south for what u.s. military officials tell me will be an intensifying campaign over the coming days, a bigger one-and-one, kate, they say will resemble world war ii battles in some sense. large armor formations, artillery and the expectation of greater loss of human life. >> jim, thank you so much. really appreciate it. "out front" for us now, seth jones. he is from the center for strategic and international studies and also with us is retired army lieutenant mark hurtling. seth, russia now beginning the assault on eastern ukraine just as jim is laying out for us tonight. i know you've been studying the latest satellite imagery, what you are seeing?

>> what we're seeing is the images we've been looking at over the last couple days of russian made battle tanks and artillery and our person nil carriers. we're seeing on the move, pushing along a 300-mile front in the area. we're also seeing missile strikes moving in the direction of the areas where they're trying to push into. we'll also say in the strikes we've seen in lviv including the missile strikes there, there is no way that the russians are going to be able to stop the interdiction of material coming in from ukraine's bored we are poland and other countries. so those are probably more than anything else symbolic. but we are seeing much more heavy fighting now in the east. it's that key corridor between crimea and russia proper that they're focusing on now. >> in general, i mean, you heard jim saying they're making world war ii parallels now. the u.s. says that russia added 11 battalion tactical groups to their forces in the east and in the south.

making the total 76 now. what does that mean? i mean what does that mean now that ukraine is up against? are they equipped for it? >> it means first of all that they're reducing the size of the massing of their attack, kate. what i mean by that is they're in the first phase of the war. you had russian forces going in around the eastern part and the north and south of ukraine about 1400 miles. but you now have in the area is anywhere from about 250 to 300 miles of a frontage. russia will be able to mass the force as long that frontage and pick and choose where they try to force a breakthrough. that's a doctrinal term. they will hit extensively with artillery strikes and then try and push armor and infantry through that to breakthrough the lines, the front lines and jim used the comment of world war ii. i would almost say it's mohr like world war ii, trying to

break throughout western front if you will. ukraine has to be very adaptable in terms of countering the attacks as the breakthroughs occur. but they also have to take a lot artillery strikes in the next couple days or weeks. russia is using artillery. that is part of the message, to mass our artilleries to strike a lot. they have a lot of it to strike w and ukraine has to find a way to stop those artillery strikes that's going to be very challenging. but we've already seen that ukrainian forces have already done counter attacks and attempted to split ukrainian -- excuse me, russian supply lines which is going to be very helpful in at the long term. >> yeah. and, seth, i want to also show everyone once again the new images of what appears to be the russian war ship out in the black sea damaged and on fire in the hours before it sank on thursday. what do you -- what do these photo tell you? >> i've been looking at these photos and comparing them to the

photos of the sea before the strike. if these are actual photos of the strike, what they certainly indicate is the fatality and casualty levels are likely much higher than what the russians have provided. i mean, up into the dozens if not more. we can add a factor to that. the other thing is the images, as the images surface, i mean the morale impact on russian naval forces, seeing flag ship on fire and then sunk has in our -- already has had a significant and is likely to have a significant impact on russian morale of the naval form. this is a big deal. >> yeah. especially when you take a look at the images. it's a big deal. that was a big fire. general, on what ukraine can do up against this new offensive and also with the u.s. is providing. the pentagon said that the u.s. is going to start training ukrainians on some of the

equipment coming to them including the planes. training them outside of ukraine and then they train other ukrainians on the equipment. how fast can this all happen? especially when we talk about the offensive is under way? how much of an impact will it have? >> it's going to take a while, kate. that's what i've been saying for a very long time. everyone who wants to throw weapons at ukraine doesn't understand the requirements to train on the weapons. and not just the weapons, but the supply and the logistics trail that go along with it. these artillery piece that's are being provided by the united states, along with the counter fire radars, the so-called q-36 and q-37s, when you -- if i were to take you inside of one of those, kate, it would be like walking inside of a computer. the fire direction systems are very challenging. it takes a long time to learn how to use them. it's linked to intelligence. can you fire a round in a location that is given to you by the counter fire radar. it takes a while. and that's just for the training of the crew. can ukraine do that?

absolutely. but it takes time to learn this system. it's tough. the more important part of this though is the resupply piece of. this these systems have advanced technologies. they require mechanics that have been understand the system that can repair parts, track the vehicles, have a tend enis i to break down just because of the track that go up and down and break things. the artillery rearmorment, the supplies, when i was in division commander in combat for every one trigger puller i had, i had at least three people that supported those. either the people that drove the trucks, repaired the equipment, or supplied the fuel. so an army's tail in a modern army has a three to one ratio on logistics to trigger pullers. ukraine, i'm not sure they can sustain that. you have to train the people that firt guns, but you also have to train the ones that supply the logistics and the maintenancest pieces of equipment. >> that is fascinating. i think something that i think people are underappreciating

that element of this fight for sure. good to see you, general. seth, thank you so much. i really appreciate it. up front next, we're going to take you inside a russian military camp. >> so at least firing positions, red rockets flew through the sky. and whether they hit the earth, it was often civilian who's felt the power. >> more of that ahead. plus, refugees faced with the impossible choice, staying in a town that is being decimated or escape to freedom but only through russia. and florida rejecting nearly half of math textbooks for next year. the reason, some claims of "indoctrinating students. ." new dove shower collection is infused withh hyaluronic and peptide serums to make your skin feel smoother and more radiant. new dove body love. face care ingredients now in the shower. check out this vrbo. come on. ♪

♪ ♪ only two things are forever: love and liberty mutual customizing your car insurance, so you only pay for what you need. if anyone objects to this marriage... (emu squawks) kevin, no! not today. only pay for what you need. ♪ liberty. liberty. liberty. liberty. ♪

at fidelity, you can make a free plan for what matters, even if you don't have it all figured out. it's more like...a feeling. turning that feeling into a roadmap...for free? that's the planning effect from fidelity. mission control, we are go for launch. um, she's eating the rocket. ♪ lunchables! built to be eaten. okay everyone, our mission is to provide complete balanced nutrition for strength and energy. woo hoo! ensure, complete balanced nutrition with 27 vitamins and minerals. and ensure complete with 30 grams of protein. ♪ ♪

bipolar depression. it made me feel trapped in a fog. this is art inspired by real stories of bipolar depression. i just couldn't find my way out of it. the lows of bipolar depression can take you to a dark place. latuda could make a real difference in your symptoms. latuda was proven to significantly reduce bipolar depression symptoms and in clinical studies, had no substantial impact on weight. this is where i want to be. call your doctor about sudden behavior changes or suicidal thoughts. antidepressants can increase these in children and young adults. elderly dementia patients have increased risk of death or stroke. report fever, confusion, stiff or uncontrollable muscle movements, which may be life threatening or permanent. these aren't all the serious side effects. now i'm back where i belong. ask your doctor if latuda is right for you. pay as little as zero dollars for your first prescription.

that oddly satisfying feeling when you don't do it yourself. new video of putin ally vector who has been detained by ukrainian forces. this is the man who so close to putin that putin's even acknowledged he's the godfather of his daughter. in the new video, he is asking to be exchanged for ukrainian troops and civilians. very same time, two british nationals captured by russian forces also appeared in a video this time on russian state tv. they're also asking for a prisoner swap. evidence of the horrific treatment of civilians. some of the images you're about to see may be disturbing. >> the sign is a warning.

beware. mines. the forest serves as protection too. and natural screen concealing a vast secret. here among the trees north of kyiv are the remains of a sprawling russian military camp. we're shown around by ukrainian special forces. this was held by russian marines. we see a sprawling network of underground fighting positions, command posts, sleeping areas and ammunition storage while everywhere there is evidence how the russians lived and that evidence suggests their existence here was neither disciplined nor comfortable. it is so quiet here. but recently there were 6,000 russian soldiers bedded down through the woods. in a cam thap is so large you

can't see where it begins and where it ends. living here would be hard. it was through the coldest of the winter days. four weeks, stopped here short of kyiv after they failed to take the capital quickly. the silence is broken by efforts to deal with some unidentified ordinance. this camp p is damming proof of the core prepgs, desperately wrong assumptions about the numbers and resources needed to conquer kyiv. what lessons do you take from all of this that will apply to the coming battle? >> translator: we see the volume of forces that invaded this area and we understand that will be two to three times greater in the donbas. this force wasn't confined to the forest. the commanding officers lived a little more comfortably in the nearby village. here civilians tell disturbing

stories. a local mechanic says he was detained and interrogated for almost 24 hours. he says he was blindfolden, tied up and subjected to mark executions. he says he never known fear like it and constantly thought those were his last moments on earth. a local priest describes dealing with the aftermath of even greater cruelty. >> translator: he found five mentor toured and killed in the garden. will two more in the forest. and the russians brought him two dead women and told him to bury them. other russians in this area camped out in field with artillery pieces and stole what comforts they could. a mattress, alcohol, the works of shakespeare. so from these firing positions, rocket rockets flew through the sky. when they hit the earth, it was often civilians who felt the

power. >> this is the result, so many people. >> they were hiding in there. >> yeah. >> this resident shows the aftermath of a russian rocket strike. >> this is central for explosion. >> and where some of its victims were temporarily buried. >> i feel it on my head. i will feel it for a while. >> for now the enemies in the forest fielded, and villages, have left this part of ukraine. the fruits of their brief stay, the pain, trauma and loathing remain. kate, russia committed great numbers and firepower to the battle for kyiv and the numbers and quality were insufficient to overwhelm the defending forces. the ukrainian military knows russia is working desperately to ensure it doesn't repeat those

same mistakes in the next phase of the invasion, the battle for the east. kate? >> absolutely. multiple times and now preparing for that. phil, thank you for bringing that us to. next, u.s. officials are saying much of mariopul is reduced to rubble. ukraine is refusing to surrender. what is the situation like there tonight? a member of the mariopul city council is next. plus, okay yos and confusion at america's airports as a judge strikes down the mask mandate for travelers. cloudy glasses? when detergent alone isn't enough..... ...add finish jet dry 3 in 1. to dry, prevevent spots, and protect glasses against cloudineness. the dishes aren't done without finish jet dry 3 in 1. ["only wanna be with you" by hootie & the blowfish] discover is accepted at 99% of places in the u.s. ["only wanna be with you" by hootie the blowfish]

you don't know how much pressure you put on your septic system. but rid-x does. in a 21 month study, scientists proved that rid- x reduces up to 20% of waste build up every month. take the pressure off with rid-x. to be a thriver with metastatic breast cancer means... asking for what we want. and need. and we need more time. so, we want kisqali. women are living longer than ever before with kisqali... ..when taken with an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant in postmenopausal women or in men with hr+, her2- metastatic breast cancer. kisqali is a pill that's significantly more effective

at delaying disease progression versus an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant alone. kisqali can cause lung problems, or an abnormal heartbeat, which can lead to death. it can cause serious skin reactions, liver problems, and low white blood cell counts that may result in severe infections. tell your doctor right away if you have new or worsening symptoms, including breathing problems, cough, chest pain, a change in your heartbeat, dizziness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, tiredness, loss of appetite, abdomen pain, bleeding, bruising, fever, chills, or other symptoms of an infection, a severe or worsening rash, are or plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. avoid grapefruit during treatment. ask your doctor about living longer with kisqali.

there are lots of choices when it comes to your internet and technology needs. but when you choose comcast business internet, you choose the largest, fastest reliable network. you choose advanced security. and you choose fiber solutions w ths available to more small businesses than any other provider. the choice is clear: get unbeatable business solutions from the most innovative company. get a great deal on this limited time price with internet and voice for just $49.99 a month for 24 months with a 2-year price guarantee. call today.

mariopul is on the brink of collapse. they bombard a steel plant where ukrainian troops are located. the chief of police says civilians including women, children, and the elderly are also sheltering inside that very same plant compound and officials say that russian forces are now firing willingly on the factory. if russian forces win this battle, it will be the first major city to fall and allow them to create a land bridge from the separatist controlled region to crimea in the south.

out front now is maxine bordine, the mariupol city council. what are you hearing about the situation this evening? >> it's terrible. it's a humanitarian crisis in mariupol and russians do not let anyone to get into the mariupol to get humanitarian aid. there is no food. there is no water. there is no medical supplies. they only get to mariupol pieces of supplies but it's not enough. because around hundreds of thousands people are staying here. and i even don't say about the people who are left in the bomb shelter. there are a lot of people sheltered here from the start of the bombing.

if we can get here, we'll see more atrocities than in other regions. russians tell us directly in the media that their goal is not, how they say, liberate our cities. their goal to totally destroy the ukraine and ukrainians. they look at things that putin stops for some territory. he don't need our territory or our cities. he needs to eliminate the whole ukraine nation. we are on the fall of the democratic process and for putin is democratic is death for him. >> when we know, as you

described, just how horrific it is already in mariupol and they're now getting under way, what does that mean for mariupol? how can it get worse? can it? >> i think with each day it will be worser. and all the warldorld needs too nto act now. we need all the modern weapons. because without the stop of putin, where he moves further and further. and today it is mariupol and donbas region and tomorrow it will be poland or next countries. because if he can't get in the face, he won't stop. >> i heard you say at minimum

you think 10,000 people have already died in the suty. where do you think that stands now? >> i don't know. no one knows the real numbers. because there are a lot of rubbles and russians continue bombing. and they showing this. and it's a military objects. but totally destroyed all our city. how much people shelter and stay in the -- under it we don't know. i think minimal count of citizens accused by russians is about 12,000 people. it's terrible. it's for people that are looking to show the numbers. but for us, it's our friends, relatives and it's totally crazy to look how they totally destroy

our city and saying that there are ukrainian military is -- does this. not them. they're liberateors, like i said. it's terrible. >> we know one thing, russia lied throughout this and it's just terrifying to think what you're going to see when you can get eyes mariupol again. ukrainian forces continue to fight for ukraine against the russian onslaught. thank you so much for coming on. i really appreciate it. next, a judge overturning the federal mask mandate for travelers. what does this means for passengers tonight plus governor ron desantos is defending the state's decision to throw out dozens of children's math books. >> you do have things like social and motional learning and some of the other things more political in there.

she's feeling the power of listerine. he's feeling it. yep, them too. it's an invigoratingrush.. ...zapping millions of germs ineconds. fothat one-of-a-kind whoa... ...which leaves you feeling... ahhhhhhh listerine. fl the whoa! at bath fitter, every quality bath starts with quality people. our consultants help you choose from hundreds of bath options so we fit your style. our installers complete your work in as little as a day so we fit your schedule. our manufacturing team custom crafts your bath so we fit your standards, and it's guaranteed for life. when you can trust the people who create your new bath, it just fits. bath fitter. visit bathfitter.com to book your free consultation.

we gotta tell people that liberty mutual customizes car insurance so you only pay for what you need, and we gotta do it fast. [limu emu squawks] woo! new personal record, limu! only pay for what you need. ♪ liberty, liberty, liberty, liberty. ♪ your doctor gives you a prescription.

“let's get you on some antibiotics right away.” we could bring it right to your door. with 1 to 2 day delivery from your local cvs. or same day if you need it sooner. but aren't you glad you can also just swing by to pick it up, and get your questions answered? because peace of mind is something you just can't get in a cardboard box. that's how healthier happens together with cvs. when you need help it's great to be in sync with customer service. a team of reps who can anticipate the next step genesys technology is changing the way customer service teams

anticipate what customers need. because happy customers are music to our ears. genesys, we're behind every customer smile.

a federal judge strikes down the cdc requirement for transportation. the cdc overstepped authority. this ruling coming though just a week after the agency extended the mask mandate another time through may 3rd. we're at the airport and she joins us now. stephanie, the reaction from the biden administration tonight is that this mask mandate is not in effect while under review. that doesn't really seem to be clearing up the confusion around this. >> not at all. >> that is really loud wl. what is happening is these changes are happening effective immediately. and the responses are all over the map. you also have delta airlines saying that they're going to keep the mask mandate in place until they hear from the tsa. and then you have united and alaska airlines saying effective immediately, you know long ver to wear a mask. as you might expect, as far as travelers are concerned, the

response is hohn yall over the . >> i'll always wear my mask. i lost my grandmother to covid-19 a year ago. and so i'm very particular about the masks. >> my personal opinion, they don't do much. so yeah, i'm excited. if you want to wear them, wear them. if not, don't. >> now it's also worth noting here that the association of flight attendants is asking for people to stay calm and they want to have a uniform response quickly especially since so many flight attendants have been on the front lines of dealing with people and have seen violence over the pandemic from some of the passengers hoping for calm. and hope there is a uniform plan put in place. but right now, prem still trying to figure out for themselves and figure out if they really need to wear the mask on the airline they're flying. >> thank you so much, stephanie. want to bring in our senior legal analyst. so what happens now with this? the judge rules and now what? >> kate, at this very moment,

the judge's ruling stands. the mask mandate is struck down. that will be the case unless and until the biden administration seeks what we call a stay which is essentially hitting pause on the order. but as of this moment, the biden administration has not done that. and if they don't do that, then this ruling will prevail. separately, bigger picture, the biden administration needs to decide if they're going to appeal this ruling. usually, you would pappeal in a situation like that because you lost wlachlt do you have to lose more? however, there is a chance they may not here. if they do appeal it, it goes to the 11 rnlg circuit court after pales which is the more conservative courts of appeals in the country. and this ruling, this mask mandate was only supposed to be in infe in effect until may 3rd. let's see if they file notice of appeal. >> the shortest the extensions coming from the cdc. so the judge in this decision spent a lot of time on the definition of sanitation and the statute we saw.

writing this in part, wearing a mask cleans nothing. at most, it traps virus droplets. but it neither sanitizes the person wearing the mask nor sanitizes the convey yans. what does the judge get at there? >> there is a whole section in the decision which is teessenti in the decision what is the meek meaning of sanitation? the law says the cdc has powers to do certain things including sanitation. the cdc said that is the one we acted under here. what is sanitation and reaches the conclusion which may be linguistically, legally, maybe scientifically questionable that sanitation only means cleaning human being or cleaning an object and masks don't meet that qualification. the judge concluded, cdc, you went beyond what congress said you're allowed to do. >> much more to come. or maybe not. again, there is the confusion this evening. it's good to see you. thank you very much. >> out front next, florida

banning dozens of children's math textbooks after accusing publishers of trying to "indoctrinate students." we'll explain. plus, ukrainian refugees finally making it to freedom but not before having travel through russia first. inspired by nature, onetouch verio reflect® meter showows instantly if you're below, within or above your range. it cheers you on and provides guidance. connected to your health and your phone. visit onetouch.com today. for back pain, i've always been a take two and call in the morning guy. but my new doctor recommended salonpas. without another pill upsetting my stomach, i get poweul, effective and safe relief. salonpas. 's good medicine. we need to reduce plastic waste in the environment. that's why at america's beverage companies, our bottles are made to be re-made.

not all plastic is the same. we're carefully designing our bottles to be 100% recyclable, including the caps. they're collected and separated from other plastics, so they can be turned back into material that we use to make new bottles. that completes the circle and reduces plastic waste. please help us get every bottle back. bipolar depression. it made me feel trapped in a fog. this is art inspired by real stories of bipolar depression. i just couldn't find my way out of it. the lows of bipolar depression can take you to a dark place. latuda could make a real difference in your symptoms. latuda was proven to significantly reduce bipolar depression symptoms and in clinical studies, had no substantial impact on weight. this is where i want to be. call your doctor about sudden behavior changes or suicidal thoughts. antidepressants can increase these in children and young adults. elderly dementia patients have increased risk of death or stroke. report fever, confusion, stiff or uncontrollable muscle movements,

which may be life threatening or permanent. these aren't all the serious side effects. now i'm back where i belong. ask your doctor if latuda is right for you. pay as little as zero dollars for your first prescription. with angi, you can connect with and see ratings and reviews. and when you book and pay throug you're covered by our happiness check out angi.com today. angi... and done. check out this vrbo. come on. ♪

♪ ♪ this is the sound of nature breathing. and this is the sound of better breathing. fasenra is a different kind of asthma medication. it's not a steroid or inhaler. fasenra is an add-on treatment for asthma driven by eosinophils. it's one maintenance dose every 8 weeks. it helps prevent asthma attacks, improve breathing, and lower use of oral steroids. nearly 7 out of 10 adults with asthma may have elevated eosinophils. fasenra is designed to target and remove them. fasenra is not a rescue medication or for other eosinophilic conditions. fasenra may cause allergic reactions. get help right away if you have swelling of your face, mouth, and tongue, or trouble breathing. don't stop your asthma treatments unless your doctor tells you to. tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection

or your asthma worsens. headache and sore throat may occur. this is the sound of fasenra. ask your doctor about fasenra. tonight, throwing out the textbooks. republican governor ron desantis doubling down on half of all math textbooks that were submitted for use in schools. the reason he said among other things the books violated new state standards like mentioning critical race theory. the florida education commissioner even accused textbook publishers of trying to indoctrinate students. >> you do have things like social and emotional learning and some of the other things that are more political in there. we want kids to learn to think o so they get the right answer. it's not about how you feel about the problem. >> we're out front in st.

petersburg, florida. you've been pushing for detail on what are the actual book titles rejected. what is in them? what have you found? >> yeah. we're get something more details on this. this afternoon i received a list of the textbooks that were banned. by the states. and the names are innocuous. thinking mathematically and precalculus enhanced with graphing utilities. but what we still don't know is what exactly is in the textbooks are so objectionable. how are they being used to indoctrinate students? where does critical race theory fit into a math lesson? is it in the algebra equations or lesson plans? the governor did address the holes in the information they released so far. he said that there is still a review process for publishing companies and there are concerns about releasing information from

the textbooks. but here's what we do know. 41% of the textbooks that were submitted to the state were rejected. 28 of them were rejected because they included prohibited topics like critical race theory or they included unsolicited strategies for teaching like social and emotional learning and principles of common core, the obama era education principles that were once champions by florida republican governors. but the other thing we know is that the vast majority of the rejected textbooks, the highest rate of rejection was in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. >> also, steve, this could be, this looks like one of a series of moves by the governor that really hit on politically potent cultural issues. last week he signed into law a 15-week abortion ban. he supported what many see as

anti-lgbtq restrictions in schools. he also been pushing an election police force to find voter fraud though none is really been suspected there. and that all adds up to what? >> it adds up to a very consequential legislative year for the governor but also an incredibly contentious one. we've seen classrooms, election offices, even disney world drag to the front lines of the culture wars. there have been protests, student walkouts, even lawsuits over some of the legislation that has passed this year. but for governor desantis, this has really boosted his profile. he was already considered a potential contender for president in 2024. and this, kate, really pushed him to the forefront of that list. >> thank you so much. joining me now, democratic florida state representative carlos cameron smith. thank you for being here. appreciate your time. you called the reasons offered by the governor and the

department of education here for rejecting the books, called them a lie. why do you think that? >>. >> first and foremost because they have not provided any evidence or any examples as far as why they have rejected these math books for allegedly containing critical race theory. it's important for viewers to understand what happened to floor under the desantis administration. yes, the florida department of education has been politicized. but it's gone way past that. desantis turned our classrooms into political battle fields. and he's put our kids in it the crossfire in order to advance his presidential ambitions. the banning of math books is just the most recent example last year he used his office to punish and defund school districts that defied him on masking policies. you mentioned this past session with don't say gay, desantis made false claims at schools

were sexualizing students so he could attack the lgbtq community. now he is banning math textbooks claiming they indoctrinate kits with crt but they won't give us any examples of where that is happening in the math books. they don't show the reviewer score sheets. it's not there. >> so our correspondent was just saying that he's received some of the name of the book. some of the titles were released late today. without knowing what is in them, how are you sure that they're ones you want to have as part of the school curriculum? >>. >> well, here's what we know about some of the folks that have been appointed to the department of education and the state board of education. these are moms for liberty type individuals who scream crt anywhere they see diversity. no, we don't trust that they're using the appropriate standards to evaluate this. and, kate, i think we have to take an even closer look at the books that have been banned and look at what types of books have been rejected.

i took a look at it today. what we saw was that over of the 54 books that were rejected, 28 were rejected because they allegedly included one of the topics that were mentioned, social emotional learning, . >> is something that the department championed and support just a couple years ago, but you also see that they banned pre-calculus honors and statistics books with specific-standard scores that were higher than those approved. that means the desantis administration is rejecting good books with good subject-specific content that yield better potential for student achievement because of politics. >> here's the thing. i mean, one thing the governor said is there's a review process. so there's that step, not saying that's going to change the outcomes here. but there's something we know. you touched on this a bit. since taking office, governor desantis has not shied away from

cultural issues, divisive cultural issues. you've been outspoken about his other moves as well. but it doesn't seem to be hurting him. in a recent poll of florida voters, he had a 58% job approval rating and only 37% disapproval. the highest job approval in that poll of all the elected officials that were listed in that poll. what does that tell you? >> well, what it tells me is that the governor is manipulating the public opinion on these issues because of the way that he's characterizing the issues in a misleading and false way. and i think it's important to understand the target audience here. the target audience is not his base in the state of florida. he has a very good standing with gop voters in florida. we already know that. his target audience is gop voters outside of the state of florida, because he wants to win a presidential primary, and that

is what is motivating all of these culture wars that you're seeing. but we have to think, who wins and who loses as a result of this, kate. who wins is possibly some of his big donors who themselves are school publishers who may benefit as a result of the rejection of these textbooks. but at the end of the day our kids lose. >> we'll see where this goes from here. thanks for coming in. out front, the astonishing detonation across mariupol. one apartment building after another just destroyed. this is how it feels to know you have a wealtlth plan that covers everything that's important to you. this is what it's like to have a dedicated fidelity advisor looking at your full financial picture. making sure you have the right balance of risk and reward. and helping you plan for future generations. this is "the planning effect" from fidelity.

it's started. somewhere between a cuddle and a struggle, it's...the side hug. tween milestones like this may start at age 9. hpv vaccination - a type of cancer pvention against certain hpv-related cancers, can start then too. for most, hpv clears on its own. but for others, it can cause certain cancers later in life. you're welcome! now, as the "dad cab", it's my cue to help protect them. embrace this phase. help protect them in the next. ask their doctor about hpv vaccination today. ♪ baby got back by sir mix-a-lot ♪ unlimited cashback match... only from discover.

as a business owner, your bottom line is always top of mind. so start saving by switching to the mobile service designed for small business: comcast business mobile. flexible data plans mean you can get unlimited data or pay by the gig. all on the most reliable 5g network. with no line activation fees or term contracts... saving you up to $500 a year. and it's only available to comcast business internet customers. so boost your bottom line by switching today. comcast business. powering possibilities.™ at xfinity, we live and work in the same neighborhood as you. we're always working to keep you connected to what you love. and now, we're working to bring you the next generation of wifi. it's ultra-fast. faster than a gig. supersonic wifi. only from xfinity.

it can power hundreds of devices with three times the bandwidth. so your growing wifi needs will be met. supersonic wifi only from us... xfinity. we have new video just in showing the scale of destruction in mariupol tonight. drone footage of just entire buildings charred and gutted. i mean, just look. you see it there. and then imagine this difficult choice, stay in mariupol or gain safe passage, but only through russia. scott mclean is out front. >> reporter: it's been two weeks since these suitcases were first packed. two weeks since they escaped the hell of mariupol to russia and

then finally to safety in estonia. >> translator: before now it was just -- >> >> translator: stress. >> we were able to really relax. i feel that we are safe here. >> reporter: they lived across the hall from each other in an apartment building on the northern edge of mariupol. >> translator: for 14 days from the beginning of the war, all the shelling was flying past us. >> reporter: but their luck would soon run out in the relentless bombardment of the city. their building was eventually hit. the damage, though, was limited enough for them to stay, even without power, water, heat, or a cell signal. >> translator: when you hear these explosions, you have an idea the direction they're coming from, and you know what you have to do, lay on the ground, run, or sit down. but silence is horrifying. >> reporter: on day 38, the building was hit again. it was time to leave.

>> translator: it was impossible to go further into ukraine. we lived in a different part of it city. there were two encirclements around ut, the only way to leave was through russian federation and the only thing we were concerned with at the time was leaving this ring of fire. we didn't have a choice. >> reporter: they made it to a school in mariupol where russian-backed soldiers were evacuated people east to the village of czar tan nah. then infiltration where at a site they were searched, fingerprinted, and questioned by russian soldiers before crossing the border into russia to the city of taggen rock, likely to the shelter shown here. >> translator: it was the first time we took a shower in roughly 50 days, right? >> translator: 41 or 40. >> reporter: with the help of ordinary russians, they made it to st. petersburg, then to

estonia. their story is part of a larger trend, most of the t200, sometimes 300 refugees arriving in estonia are entering through russia. >> translator: most of them are coming from mariupol after having passed the humanitarian corridor but there are those who've been deport to russia that have managed to come here, and we accept them all. >> reporter: on this day, they're catching a train to the estonian capital after staying at a hostiel run by volunteers. >> translator: some were taken by russians by force from mariupol to russia. and later they fled from camps on the territory of russia. but others go voluntarily. >> reporter: from there, they're not sure where they'll go, but they're optimistic. >> translator: we will have some difficulties along the way, but if you compare what we went through, everything will be just fine. the future must be better. we don't have another option.

>> reporter: now, what was especially jarring was the kindness and the generosity they experienced in russia. the country responsible for bombing their homes and uprooting their lives. evgeni said he was so struck by the kindness, he went to church to pray for the people that helped me them. they say this is proof there are good people in every country, including russia. "ac 360" starts now. good evening. two breaking news stories we're closely following. in ukraine president zelenskyy says a major new russian offensive has begun in the east of the country. we'll have multiple reports from ukraine tonight of what will likely be a new and bloody phase of the invasion. now, the other breaking story is here in the united states. a federal judge has struck down the federal mask mandate for air and other travel, calling it unlawful. according to an administration official, th