Russia-Ukraine updates: US to ban Russian carriers from its airspace

Ukraine's energy system has temporarily cut itself off from the power grids of neighboring Russia and Belarus, according to Ukrainian transmission system operator Ukrenergo.

Ukrenergo said in a statement Thursday that the country's system is now functioning independently and will continue to do so for the coming days as it tests for a future connection to the European network of transmission system operators.

The European Union's ambassador to Ukraine, Matti Maasikas, took to Twitter to say the "controlled disconnection" was "perfect timing" and that the system is "operating autonomously under normal conditions."

"The assets of the main network are currently functioning without interruptions," Maasikas tweeted.

-ABC News' Anastasia Bagaeva

At least 40 people have been killed Thursday in Russia's attack on Ukraine, according to Oleksiy Arestovich, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Arestovich told ABC News that several dozen others have been injured so far.

-ABC News' Patrick Reevell

Russia appears to be establishing military censorship of media coverage of its invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

The Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, or Roskomnadzor, warned Thursday that all Russian media outlets are required to use information exclusively from official Russian sources while covering the military operations in eastern Ukraine.

"Roskomnadzor informs media outlets and information resources that they are required to use information received exclusively from official Russian sources in their materials and reports covering the special operation in the Luhansk and Donetsk people's republics," the agency said in a statement.

Roskomnadzor warned that publishing knowingly false information will result in an administrative fine of up to 5 million rubles (about $60,000).

"The number of unverified and untrue reports published by media outlets and other online information resources has considerably grown in recent hours," the agency added.

-ABC News' Tanya Stukalova

Russia's parliament speaker claimed Thursday that the "sole purpose" of the country's invasion of Ukraine "is to secure peace," saying "Russia has never been an enemy."

"I am calling on Ukrainian citizens: We have always deemed you to be a fraternal people. The sole purpose of what our country is doing is to secure peace," State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said in a statement. "We are asking you to step aside and do not take part in any mobilization campaigns proposed by the Kyiv authorities. They are not independent, all orders come from Washington and Brussels."

Volodin also urged Ukrainian Armed Forces to lay down their weapons, saying the orders given from Kyiv are criminal and serve the interests of NATO and the United States. He noted that Russia and Ukraine share history, culture and religion.

-ABC News' Anastasia Bagaeva