First Thing: Russia has begun battle to seize east of Ukraine, says Zelenskiy

Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, Ukrainian president says in video address

Good morning.

Russia has begun its long-expected large-scale military action to seize the east of Ukraine, the country's president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said.

Why is Donbas so important to Vladimir Putin? The Russian president has declared his intention to seize Donbas, which is already partly controlled by pro-Russian separatists. Control of Donbas would allow Moscow to create a southern corridor to the occupied Crimean peninsula.

What is Biden doing? The US president will hold a call today with allies to discuss the Ukraine crisis, including on how to coordinate on holding Russia accountable, the White House said.

What else is happening? Here's what we know on day 55 of the invasion.

What did the judge say? In her 59-page ruling, Mizelle said the only remedy was to vacate the rule entirely because it would be impossible to end it for the limited group who objected to it in the lawsuit.