UPDATE: Reports indicate Russian forces may have breached the Ukrainian defenses at the Black Sea port town of Kherson.

UKRAINE: U.S. defense official says Russian advance towards Kyiv going slower than Russia anticipated and advance towards Kharkiv still contested. The U.S. believes that amphibious assault is underway west of Mariupol, an official says.

BREAKING: Reports of sporadic clashes in the northern suburbs of Kyiv, but the bulk of Russian forces remain more than 50km from the center of the city, U.K. Defence Intel Briefing says.

UNITED NATIONS: More than 50,000 Ukrainians flee country in 48 hours.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, says he will step down before his six-year term is up and that he is “absolutely” at peace with the decision.

BREAKING: Massive explosions heard in Kyiv, Ukraine: witnesses

ALERT: U.S. microchip powerhouse Nvidia hit by cyberattack - The Telegraph

UPDATE: Internet disruptions associated with power outages reported in some areas of Kyiv. The plant was reportedly taken offline by Russian forces.

Unconfirmed: Russian forces have reached Rivne airport in Western Ukraine.

UPDATE | Zelensky's press secretary: Kiev ready to discuss ceasefire and peace.

* ZELENSKY SPOKESPERSON: "UKRAINIAN AND RUSSIAN SIDES ARE CONSULTING ON WHERE AND HOW TO CONDUCT NEGOTIATIONS."