The nuclear crisis came as Russia laid siege to major cities and intensified artillery and missile attacks on heavily populated urban areas across Ukraine. The southern city of Mariupol has been encircled by Russian forces and subjected to intense strikes. Elsewhere, large explosions shook central Kyiv Friday, while Russian forces in occupied Kherson encountered a hostile response from city residents. In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin said the assault was going as planned.

President Vladimir Putin: “Dear comrades, I want to say that the special military operation is proceeding strictly in line with the timetable according to plan. … I will never give up my conviction that Russians and Ukrainians are one people.”

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Putin Thursday, saying after the call he feared “the worst is yet to come” and that Russia wants to seize all of Ukraine.