U.S. Says Russia Readies Bombers, Blasts Heard In Ukrainian Cities

Newsweek reports that "Russian strategic bombers loaded with weapons have been readied for flight and Russian special forces have entered Ukraine as Kyiv braces for what it fears to be the first wave of a full-scale invasion," citing U.S. intelligence officials. One U.S. intelligence official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that Russian Tupolev Tu-95 model bombers active on high-frequency communications were being armed and readied to take off immediately. While the U.S. intelligence official said the pilots were operating on 8.131 Kz, the exact airfield could not be determined. A second U.S. official said that Russian Spetsnaz special forces units were operational in the country.

• Reports doing the rounds on social media of massive blasts in eastern Ukrainian cities including Mariupol, Kramatorsk, Kharkiv and elsewhere. Unconfirmed reports of explosions being heard in Kyiv.