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."

FINANCIAL TIMES: Zelensky requested Israeli PM to become an intermediary in ceasefire negotiations with Russia.

UPDATE ON UKRAINE:

We can't know for sure, but there's a case to be made that Russia's operation in Ukraine is based on some form of the Soviet-era "Deep Operation' theory.

A deep strike utilizes fast-moving columns on different axes to quickly encircle the enemy so that subsequent waves can exploit any axes that look favorable. The goal of a deep strike is to paralyze the enemy's defensive system by constantly diverting enemy attention and keeping the defender guessing about where the main effort and the main objective lay.

It's hard to tell precisely, but it looks like the Ukrainians are deploying a successful counter, which is to more or less allow Russian armor to pass through and then focus on destroying the logistical tail.

*Amateurs talk strategy. Professionals talk logistics.*

UN Security Council voting on resolution condemning Russia.

Yes:

- United States
- United Kingdom
- France
- Norway
- Ireland
- Albania
- Gabon
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Ghana
- Kenya

No:

- Russia

Abstain:

- China
- India
- United Arab Emirates

AIR UPDATE: Air Force Command of the Ukraine Armed Forces claims:

- Ukrainian Su-27 shot down Russian Su-25 flying towards Vinnytsia

- Ukrainian S-300 air defenses shot down a Russian Su-25 and helicopter

- Ukrainian Su-27 shot down a Russian IL-76 near Vasylkiv

BREAKING (NEXTA) -- Reports of multiple explosions and gunfire near Shulyavka and the Kyiv Zoo.

BREAKING (WaPo): The U.S. government is prepared to help Ukrainian President Zelensky leave Kyiv to avoid being captured or killed by advancing Russian forces.

UPDATE: Reports Ukrainian military repelled what was thought to be another Russian special forces unit on Peremohy (“victory”) Avenue. Casualties.

Updated map on Ukraine from #TheStudyofWar:

Photo of Kyiv from Reuters.

BREAKING: Ukraine’s leadership has rejected negotiations, Kremlin says.

BREAKING: Turkey has closed the Black Sea for Russian warships due to Putin’s aggression against Ukraine

UPDATE: “Turkey hasn’t made a decision to close the straits to Russian ships yet,” a senior Turkish official tells Ragip Soylu for the Middle East Eye. Ukraine’s President tweeted a message moments ago that indicated Turkey had, in fact, agreed to close the straits. This would be a major development.

Note: The Montreux Convention gives a clear right to Russians to return their ships to their original ports in Black Sea even in the time of war, and even if Moscow is the belligerent.