Need2Know: Putin Reacts To Bridge Blast, Former Gov. Richardson 'Cautiously Optimistic' About A Potential Release For Brittney Griner 

Let's start with Russia. They have unleashed dozens of deadly missile attacks across Ukraine Monday and that includes in the capital city of Kiev President Vladimir Putin saying that those strikes were retaliation for the blast at the Kerch Bridge connecting Russia and Crimea over the weekend where at least 11 people were killed and 87 were wounded. Reporter Fred Franklin has more for us this morning. It was in the middle of monday morning rush hour that waves of Russian missiles started hitting Ukraine's capital and other cities across the country sending people scampering for their lives. My hands are trembling as I've just seen how the missile was flying overhead and I heard that sound, Ukraine says the Russians launched more than 80 missiles and more than 20 attack drones at targets in Ukraine. While the air defenses took many out, they couldn't stop them all. Ukraine's President Quick to condemn the attacks were dealing with terrorists. They want panic and chaos. You Ukrainian cities like LVIv Kharkiv Dnipro and multiple others reported power outages after Russia's attacks. The deputy head of Ukraine's presidential administration telling me they are working to get the electricity grid back up and running of course critically for us. It's critical infrastructure, electricity infrastructure but Russian missiles also struck sites that were anything but critical. Several cars were destroyed at this busy intersection outside a museum even hours after the initial attacks by the Russian military. There are still air raid sirens going off here in the Ukrainian capital and you can see right here, this is just one impact site of where one of those Russian missiles hit it ripped a hole into the tarmac of the road here and five people were killed in this place alone. The attacks come just days after a major Russian logistics route, The Crimean bridge was heavily damaged by an explosion. Moscow blames Ukraine for the blast though Kiev has not taken responsibility for the attack. The Russian army showed video of ships launching missiles toward Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged he's taking revenge, but this clearly was not a command facility in central Kiev. A playground took a direct hit, leaving a giant crater capital's mayor, former heavyweight boxing champ vitali. Klitschko vowing to stand strong. Your message to Putin, we never come back to Russia empire. We see our future part of european democratic family and our thanks to fred flacking for that report, Shannon. Well, the news out of Russia continues this time here in the United States. A Russian hacking group took down the websites of more than a dozen U. S. Airports monday. The targets included some of the country's busiest hubs like Atlanta's Hartsfield, Jackson International Chicago's O'Hare A and L A X hijacking group known as Kill Net claimed responsibility. Now last week, the group said it knocked out several state government sites and in july it targeted Congress's official site as well. Kill Net has specifically targeted NATO organizations since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in february. All right, let's stick with this topic and bringing our aerial Hickson is the world of politics waking up this morning and she's got more on President Biden's response to Russia's military strikes on Ukraine. Good morning, Ariel. Good morning baker. President Biden condemned Russia's military strikes against Ukraine yesterday. At least 14 people were killed in 97 injured from the attack that left many cities without water or power. This as Russian President Vladimir Putin claims the attacks were in retaliation of a key bridge destroyed saturday linking Russia with Crimea. In a statement released monday, President Biden says these attacks killed an injured civilians and destroy targets with no military purpose. They once again demonstrate the utter brutality of Mr Putin's illegal war on the Ukrainian people. The President also offered his condolences to the families of loved ones who were killed. The President's statement included plans to stand with the people of Ukraine. On monday President Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky pledging to provide you with continued U. S. Security and assistance. This includes advanced air defense systems for Ukraine to defend its country and freedom NATO Secretary Gen Stoltenberg and other world leaders condemned the attack. Russia's key allies India and china issued some statements as well, highlighting concerns about the missile strikes. But they did not condemn. Russia. Kiev has yet to claim responsibility for that bridge explosion. So, Ariel, what's next for Ukraine as this escalation continues. We'll all eyes continue to be focused on that region. On monday the Russian president addressed his security council and threatened to quote tough and proportionate response if Ukraine were to carry out any more attacks. He further clarified that, quote, no one should have any doubts about it, but once again has yet to claim responsibility for the bridge explosion, even though Russia is pointing a finger at them. Alright, Ariel Hicks and live in Washington, D. C. Thanks for keeping us updated. All right. Meanwhile, some other headlines were formed for today. North Korea said monday that its recent series of missile launches were a simulation of a nuclear attack that was to hit and wipe out targets in South Korea. According to North korean state media president kim jong un oversaw those tests that in response to nearby military drills between the United States, South Korea and Japan. North Korea has tested ballistic missiles seven times. Just since September the 25th state media said that those tests showed that North Korea's nuclear combat forces are quote fully ready to hit and wipe out the set objects at the intended places and the set time. And in other news here, the superintendent of Yuval, the school district in texas has announced his retirement through a facebook post saying quote, my decision to retire has not been made lightly and was made after much prayer and discernment Hal Harrell said yesterday that he will remain in his position until a new superintendent can be named. Now the superintendent has faced backlash in the aftermath of the rob elementary school math Mass shooting in which 19 students and two teachers were killed. The announcement of Harold's retirement comes days after the school district suspended its entire police force and the latest fallout over the shooting. Well if you're seeing fewer tomatoes at the supermarket, there's a reason for that. The crippling drought in California and low water levels from the Colorado River are decimating this year's crops and it's as a result pushing prices higher. The drought has not only impacted fresh produce but also staples like pasta sauce and pre made dinners as well. California's Central Valley faced its driest january and february in recorded history. This year, California produces 30% of the world's processing tomatoes, but in august, the U. S. Department of Agriculture cut their forecast this year by 10%