international criminal court is now investigating that. pierre let's begin with nbc news foreign correspondent, raf sanchez, who is in moscow this morning. so nbc saying that putin is growing frustrated. we are seeing that now in kharkiv. how are the russians reacting now? >> we saw vladamir putin yesterday at an emergency meeting with his economic advisors as they try to grapple with a way to deal with these crippling sanctions. he referred to the west as an empire of lies during that meeting. it is clear, we are a week into the war now that putin has miscalculated on at least two

fronts. the russian military is meeting far stronger resisting on the ground. i think putin underestimated quite how severe the sanctions the u.s. and western allies were going to impose. i don't think they anticipated a consensus of kicking russian banks after of the s.w.i.f.t. system and targeting the russian central bank. we'll hear from the long-time kremlin spokesman. the real fear here, that as vladamir putin becomes more frustrated that they'll turn to the kind of scorched earth tactics we've seen them employ

in syria and chechynia at the turn of the century. >> a worry of so many casualties. over the past five days, 6,000 russians are protesting. how is russia handling that? >> they've really struggled. part of the reason, they are organic, spon tannious and leaderless. these are ordinary russians risking a lot going out and making it clear this war is not in their name. 6,000 people have been arrested so far. they risk a police night stick in the face. they risk prosecution.

if lucky, they might be charged with rioting or terrorism. that's the kind of offense that can follow you for years and years and make it very difficult to get a job. we've seen russian government censoring media. if they say war or attack, they've been cracking down. the preferred word is special military operation. they've been cracking down on the media that has not been following the line on that. >> let's talk about the sanction. it is not just the rich feeling the pain. >> people here are terrified the economy is heading for a free fall. the russian rubble is collapsing. the russian ruble is worth less

than a cent. the people here are worried this will wip out their savings. we are already seeing these sanctions begin to cause turmoil in daily life here. people trying to get on the subway system here in moscow trying to pay on their phones as normal but apple pay, google pay has not been working if your bank account is with one of the banks the western powers have sanctions. there are a lot of concerns here credit cards will continue to function normally. the question, will this pay and the normal russian's feelings and cause vladamir putin to change his mind. these sanctions are not intended to devistate the russian economy but intended to change the

policy of the kremlin. we do not know if vladamir putin, a leader who seems increasingly cut off both from his people and reality, if he is capable of changing course when he is this deep into the neighboring country. >> a question whether there is an offramp he'd be willing to take right now. i'll bring in our nbc news correspondent in lviv. what should we know about where you are right now? >> all eyes are on kharkiv, the second largest city where there has been intense shooting. social media video showed the square there on fire after an apparent missile strike. they say they are absolutely

terrified. residential areas are being struck by rockets. i spoke to a woman. she's speaking at a friend's apartment. they've boarded up the windows and moved furniture in front of the windows. across the street, a missile struck and smoke is make way to the apartment. they have nowhere to go. i asked why she didn't go to the metro station. she said there's no electricity down there. no heat. we are talking sub zero temperatures. she has to stay put and hope for the best. people there are terrified and they don't know what to do. it is a desperate situation. an example of this escalating conflict with no offramp p last night. there was talks between russian and ukrainian delegation in

belarus but they yielded little with the ukrainian president saying how can they negotiate when they are being attacked. people here are bracing for what could potentially come next. in kyiv, the main capital. i spoke to people there yesterday that are desperate for food. they had a curfew. during that curfew, they weren't allowed to go out. there were operatives looking for russian special forces. now the curfew has lifted and people can go out and get food but there are long lines and little supplies. >> i want to turn now to nbc news reporter outside the white house. this invasion comes just ahead of the president's first state of the union address tonight. in the wake of all of that, what

is his message going to be to the american people about this crisis. >> good morning. president biden's speech is going to look a lot different than if he had given it several weeks ago. he's giving a consequential foreign policy in what is a largest audience he would have and it is all interconnected. he is hoping talk about the unifying approach the u.s. and allies have had trying to reign in putin. nato and u.s. have been in lock step with these crippling sanctions. he's going to tout that as success so far. it is worth noting these sanctions will have an impact on the american people. so president biden, while he touts the success of hopefully

not having american troops on the ground. he makes it clear, americans will not be going to war with russia and he will balance that with the repercussions. >> how does he plan to address that? speaking to the american people about those worries? >> he will even before this, this crisis was top of mind. president biden will absolutely use the word inflation and outline a plan to combat that and empathize with the american people who are going to see a higher price asking will there be new policy ideas, she

tweeted, there always are. they are hoping there won't necessarily be the longest. they are still trimming it down. midterms are coming up. he's in conversation of bipartisan ideas and trying to mitigate the effect of sanctions on russia and the energy industry. so a lot to pack into one speech and president biden has quite a task ahead of him tonight. >> he does. >> we'll be watching from washington. ukraine has been able to keep up a fierce fight. how long will that last?

we'll take a closer look next. s.

as russian president putin's invasion continues, people around the world are showing signs of support where they can. >> tonight, solidarity is

spreading. tonight, hockey suspended relations. fifa canceled events. and degree day canceled their performance there. >> and musk tweeted star link service is now active in ukraine. >> leadership have called to an end for state economic ties to russian entities. >> we are not doing anything to support. several state governors have even called for a ban on russian alcohol and supporting ukrainian alcohol. >> i'd like to say a word about

ukraine. to the soccer field. one ukrainian soccer field moved to tears. in new york, saturday night live invited the ukrainian choir of new york to open the show. monday night, students gathered to mourn and protest. >> i'm calling for putin to stop the war in ukraine. >> russian forces continue to blast, hoping for an end to the violence. >> what message do you hope people hear from you? >> i would appreciate some action rather than just some nice words at this point. >> the russian invasion enters the sixth day, a video shows an explosion hitting the kharkiv hit caused by a russian air strike. president zelenskyy calls it a

military crime. more than 5,700 russian forces have been killed. >> welcome author mall con -- malcolm. the violence in kharkiv seems to have escalated. >> i'm not surprised. it is one of the main objectives of the russians. the russians factored in that that is in eastern ukraine and

mainly russian speakers they dedicated a combined army. they have not taken it. the locals they thought they could rely on hate the russians they are going to take a brutal scorched earth strategy. hitting the administration building means nothing russia has this script they appear stuck on this is just increasing the potential of locals there to

want to bring damage to the russians tweeting saying putin is unable to bring russia down describe that. >> this is just incredible resilience. i spent a month there with the ukrainian army and analyzed how the russians would invade. the reason these have been extremely slow is because analysts have said russia has all of this man power. you do have to factor in the 250,000 men and women who are

combat experienced fighting in iraq, afghanistan. they've learned the art of maneuver warfare. more important, they are fighting on home turf. they have home court advantage. they know where the streets are and can take down street signs and they don't have the capacity to beat the time. i think we've overrated russia. i think over the long term ukrainians can win this war unless russia mobilizes a million reserves and sends every

person who they can into ukraine. that will just get people shot and killed by road side bombs each day. >> bringing in our reporter. how is putin trying to mitigate the damage right now? can he mitigate the damage? >> it seems as if he's struggling to do that. that is as a result of the fact that russia, even though they've been building their $630, $640 billion in reserves as a buffer to any sanctions that could come down the pike, they don't have any access yesterday, we talked

to the foreign minister coming to us from an undisclosed location he said, when it comes to president putin's actions, sths madness as you know, there is a 40-mile russian convoy. he said it seems as if they won't be satisfied until kyiv is in ashes. ukrainians continue to fight on. i asked, is this a fight ukraine can win. he said, we will win. >> what is the impact expected to be on the u.s. economy? >> this is a bigger story. wir talking about a currency that lost as much of 20%.

you look against the global fx transactions. it is not that big. it puts major pressure on lenders who hold debt in the russian economy. mostly, those are located in europe. it puts increasing pressure and raises questions about what inflation is going to look like down the pike. federal reserve has suggested as many as seven rate hikes to keep the economy going so the inflation doesn't get too high or too hot. the big questions continue. oil prices soaring above $100 a

barrel off the back of these new sanctions to russia definitely something joe biden will talk about in the state of the union address tonight without factoring higher energy costs. president zelenskyy is expected to address the european parliament today. what is likely going to be his key message here? >> likely what he started off with. ukraine and russia really started in 2013 when the ukrainian people wanted to join

the prime minister at this time was a pro moscow lachee. they overthrough the government. they were a relatively prosperous nation. i think zelenskyy is going to emphasize that ukraine is europe emergency access of them into the european union would facilitate more pressure on russia and mean russia is not fighting nato. this is what is very interesting. the european union they can now

resupply ukraine which will extend this war and give ukraine a fighting chance to actually win this war. thank you for joining us we'll get more reaction after this break.

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breaking news early this morning. two european on the heels of his application to the your yan union whachlt do we expect to hear today? >> perfects zelenskyy has been pushing hard signing the documents to formalize ukraine's application to become part of the european union. you should expect to hear a strong argument why this threat is a threat to security and why ukraine should be granted quick

entrance to be able to speak via video to parliament. we do expect this could come within a few hours and as a growing number of eu nations are also supporting zelenskyy's bid to become part of the eu including the polish leadership who met today with the head of the european commission to say poland also thinks ukraine should be granted entrance quickly. it is difficult and complicated. a process ukraine has already been in for years now and requires really aligning a country's agriculture, economy, trade and other regulations with that of the european union. it is unlikely something that could happen overnight that

would send a clear signal and that it is bringing ukraine into the fold. >> you sort of see ukraine as this proxy battle between russia and the west. you hear putin over and over talking about this nato encroachment. so when it comes to the decision that ukraine will be part of the western country and one of the rationals that led to ukraine's former leader, pro russian

leader ultimately brought about in 2014, you can see how ukraine is trying to stand up and say if russia is going to show this amount of force, only shows it should be standing shoulder to shoulder and hopefully get that support from the american union so the eu armies won't be fighting on their behalf one more step to show they are locking arms with the ukrainians. >> they should address the parliament over the next few days. up next, americans with family in ukraine are sharing

their loved ones experience on social media. we'll talk to family separated by thousands of miles. stay with us.

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a couple of hours ago, we brought a powerful interview with a ukrainian family in the u.s. and a portion of their family in ukraine. >> currently living in charlotte, north carolina. they've been posting minute-to-minute updates. joining us, their cousin and aunt who currently live in kyiv. thank you for joining us. ina and vitali how would you describe this being here in the united states watching what your friends and family are going through overseas? >> it is something you can't really prepare yourself for.

you never expect yourself to be in that situation. you feel extremely helpless and terrified. you get texts like hey, there's a huge bomb raid coming. can you please pray for us. you don't know what to do. our families have been pacing all day long, we can't do anything. we can't work. we are just glued to our phones. >> practically focused on how do we help them. we are helpless. resorting to prayer. how can we be mindful to them and asking what can we be thoughtful and prayerful about and sharing what's happening in ukraine. >> how powerful of a tool is social media right now? >> it has brought us to tears.

we have a friend pregnant and in labor in one of the worst cities to be in. we are sending these messages and thousands of people are responding. she's running to a bomb shelter while in labor and it is so touching to her. >> international community have responded as well. people in poland and hungary reaching out saying, we have a place, if you know anybody who needs a place, just reaching out. >> timmothy, how are you doing right now?

>> we are fine. i'm sorry, i can speak and ina or vitali can translate. >> just tell us how you are doing and why you are staying in ukraine right now? [speaking foreign language] >> can you let us know what he's telling us here? >> he just responded stating

that he was describing why he's going to choose to speak russian. i clarified he should share why he's remained and his response. >> thank you. if you want to chime in, that would help. >> we decided to stay in kyiv so we could be with the people we love and care about, our neighbors. a lot of our friends did take up arms to protect our country.

because of my condition, i couldn't take up arms but i'm here with my family and committed to our local church where we are still having church in the mist of war. >> the last piece is grandma is 90 years old and they decided to stay with her. >> we are thinking of all of you. what is your hope now just moving forward? >> we hope this ends. honestly, just to see these people fighting and literally

everyday civilians going out who never shot a gun before, protecting their home lands. that hope is fragile. what we are hoping for is that we win and all of this ends. we are hoping that they remain strong and encouraged and that they don't give up. that is easy when faced with what they are faced with. >> is everyone you are hearing from now safe? >> no. there is a mom with a three-month child that hasn't eaten in three days in kyiv. through social media, we are posting hoping somebody will read it and help. >> not even that but people are getting their homes shot at. they are bunkering inside their homes and troops are coming through and shooting their houses. so, no, they are not safe.

they are alive but i wouldn't say safe. >> as you share everything you are learning on social media, what do you want people watching saying how can i help? how can they help right now? >> i think spreading the word. there is a lot of misinformation out there, which is very, very painful to the ukrainian people. they are the victims. they are the ones hurting even reaching out to fellow ukrainian neighbors and everyone you know encouraging them. that is huge at this point. >> what is your message. what do you have to say to your family. >> we love you. we are praying for you and not

going to give up. >> timmothy and galina, what is your message. [speaking foreign language] >> they are very thankful. thankful for our prayers and commitment to them and thanks to prayers and people's care that they have this spirit of never giving up and steadfast faith in god. >> galina, did you have something to add? [speaking foreign language]

>> we are very thankful for the care you have shown. i'm going to quickly translate the meaning and in the mist of the ter moil we are experiencing, your care and prayers have gotten us through and helped us to set our mind on the lord and just trusting in that. >> thank you to ina and vitali

and timmothy and galina. multiple countries are stepping in to help. ahead, we'll talk about how americans can help too. ans can o

more than half a million ukrainians are currently seeking refuge. the european union estimates up to 4 million people may try to leave ukraine because of russia's attack on the nation. joining us now, president and ceo of the lutherine mission. >> i think the outpouring of support we've seen from americans subjecting international ng o's is

incredible. this is not ukrainian refugees coming to our shores. it is incredibly important for us to reach out to any ukrainian people we know because there has been a large settlement throughout the last decade certainly and several decades. we have resettled thousands of ukrainian refugees in the u.s. we've been flooded with messages saying how can we get loved ones to safety and reunite them here in the u.s.? what is so deeply disturbing is a reality that many civilians just aren't able to flee in what is very much an active war zone. we have reports on the ground of roads, bridges, buses shot as

civilians are trying to flee. it is vital that we need to let safe cooridores available. when you have the kind of skilled migration so far. more than half a million who have already reached borders like poland and moldova, it falls on the government to get the response we need. we've seen that in terms of assistance. we need to see more on the humanitarian side. the un is seeking $2 billion in humanitarian assistance. ukraine's neighbors have already said they will support refugees, which is positive but they don't have the infastructure. that's where the international

community needs to step up. the u.s. has done so in terms of sending 5,000 troops to poland. that's really the beginning of what's necessary. >> for those who can't get out of kyiv or kharkiv, what can be done to help those people. those folks lined up we are seeing women giving birth in

bomb shelters allowing those civilians targeted. and in addition, making sure those at the border are sufficientish enterally processed during these horrendous temperatures. >> for those watching, what are the best resources and ways to help? >> the local nonprofits that have stepped up putting out the calls for funding and save the children. there are some local nonprofits also doing great work. in addition to the international ones, i want to make sure those

local ones do get help. do look. make sure these are not nonprofits that started two weeks ago. that they have a track record and rating because there are scams out there as well. >> talk to us about the children and the kind of impact this is happening and will have? >> some of this is the uncertainty of what they are experiencing right now. children who have gasped their first breath in bomb shelters. immigrants hopping on buses to flee the country. leaving the only home they've ever known. they ask their parents. they know there is uncertainty. families have been separated. children have been fearful saying goodbye to their father not sure if they'll see them

again because of the executive order by president zelenskyy for able bodied men. that trauma is not going to end anytime soon. the trauma of leaving their home and a treacherous journey and uncertain future. >> thank you so much for joining us. such an important message as we try to help so many people. more than half a million so far and more expected as well. way too early coming up after this break. this break

okay. okay. dramatic new developments overnight in the war in ukraine as russian forces close in on the capital city of kyiv. plus, horrific video just coming in a massive blast at a government building in the country's second largest city kharkiv. this attack happening just hours ago. what you need to know. all of this happening as president biden prepares to give his first state of the union address tonight. what will he say about the war, about the economy and the fight against covid? good morning, and welcome to "way too early" on this