Russia and Ukraine On The Brink of War

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00:00Tonight, a barrage of artillery fire increasing in war-ravaged Donbass,

00:05with more than 1,500 explosions in just the past day.

00:10The region is part of Ukraine, but controlled by pro-Russian separatists.

00:15Across the border in Belarus, just hours from Kiev,

00:18an ominous sign the Russian forces could be there to stay indefinitely.

00:22This morning, the Belarusian defense minister extended his country's joint military exercises with Russia,

00:28which were scheduled to end today, citing the increasing violence in Donbass.

00:33Violence, U.S. officials allege, the Russians have stoked to create the pretext for war.

00:39We're talking about the potential for war in Europe.

00:43I mean, let's really take a moment to understand the significance of what we're talking about.

00:48President Biden held an emergency meeting with his National Security Council today.

00:52There is still an option for him to pull back. That's what we're trying to do. We're trying to prevent a war.

00:57As French President Emmanuel Macron made a last-ditch effort to avert an invasion

01:01with a phone call to President Vladimir Putin. Putin blamed the escalation in Donbass on Ukrainian

01:07forces and called on the West to respond to his demands for security guarantees.

01:12There is no innovation and there is no such plans.

01:17But on the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers say they're already under attack.

01:21President Zelenskyy calling for an immediate ceasefire.

01:25We have already two people dead, 11 people wounded, and it keeps going as we speak.

01:31Inside separatist-controlled Donbass, thousands of women and children are being evacuated on buses and trains.

01:38They're seeking safety in Russia. Final destination unknown.

01:43I'm afraid because I have two little children, afraid that something can happen with them, she says.

01:49The men forced to stay and fight for Russia-backed separatists.

01:52Men from the age of about 15 or 16 into their 50s aren't let out of the country.

01:57So this is something that's splitting a lot of families right now.

02:01Families torn apart by a war that has yet to be declared.

02:04Well, tonight in Kyiv, people can only pray that this war will end before it officially begins.

02:13Erin joins us now from Kyiv.

02:15So, Erin, who are we hearing has been evacuated from these separatist regions?

02:21Well, Hallie, they're evacuating women and children.

02:24But I've been texting one woman in Donbass who says even though she's terrified, she's not going to leave her home.

02:30Hallie?

02:34We'll follow today's top stories and breaking news by downloading the NBC News app.