The Lead with Jake Tapper

Russia’s war against Ukraine enters a new phase with their assault on the Donbas region, now underway. According to intercepted communication, Russia plans to level everything to the ground as a group of Ukrainian fighters hold down a steel plant near Mariupol and become the new symbol of resistance. Plus, most mask mandates for public transit end, making a landmark moment in the pandemic. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Missile strikes have killed at least seven in Ukraine’s western city of Lviv. CNN is on the ground as new video may show one of Russia’s weapons in action. Plus, more of Jake’s exclusive interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who pushes back on concerns that his troops would require months of training to use advanced weapons systems.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In an exclusive CNN interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sits down with Jake Tapper to warn the world that Russia could eventually use nuclear weapons. Ukrainian officials estimate about 2,500 to 3,000 Ukrainian troops have already died in the war, compared to Zelensky’s estimates that Russia's military casualties are between 19,000 to 20,000.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ukraine says its last two remaining units in Mariupol have now merged to bolster resistance in the heavily besieged city. Plus, the US and EU have pledged a combined $1.3 billion more in military aid for Ukraine as Russia prepares to launch an eastern offensive. Also, a key Russian warship has sunk, according to a Russian defense ministry statement reported by the state news agency. Ukraine says it hit the vessel, while Russia says it was a fire.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hours after President Biden first used the word “genocide” to describe Russian atrocities in Ukraine, a new report finds clear patterns of violations of international humanitarian law by Russian forces. Experts from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe say they have found credible evidence of rights being violated. The former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues joins to answer if Russia’s actions can be characterized as a genocide.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Police say a suspect is still on the loose after a terrifying gun and smoke bomb attack on the New York City subway this morning. At least 29 people were injured in the attack, 10 of whom were shot.  Also, civilians are rushing to leave eastern Ukraine as clearer signs emerge which suggest that Russia is ramping up its preparations for a full scale attack on the eastern portion of the country.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Attacks intensify on the eastern part of Ukraine as President Zelensky makes a grim assessment about the future of Mariupol. With the civilian death toll rising, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine joins to discuss the growing number of war crime cases.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World leaders are speaking out against a Russian missile strike on a train station full of Ukrainian families who were trying to flee the horrors of Putin’s war. This as the U.S. and Polish military show their strength less than 100 miles from the Ukrainian border in a military ramp up. We are live from Lviv, Ukraine with the latest news.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a 53-47 vote, the Senate has confirmed Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson in a historic vote that paves the way for her to become the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in the nation. Jackson will be sworn in after Justice Stephen Breyer retires sometime this summer.  Plus, we are live from Lviv, Ukraine as relentless attacks and Russian bombardment continue as the war rages on.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The United States government announced new sanctions on select Russian individuals, including Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughters, and financial institutions in a direct response to the atrocities happening in Ukrainian cities such as Bucha and Borodianka. President Biden said in a speech that "responsible nations have to come together to hold these perpetrators accountable." Jake presses White House Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economics Daleep Singh on the sanctions and asks why these sanctions weren't imposed sooner. And, more shocking scenes of Russia's brutality emerge from across Ukraine.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices