Ukraine's central bank and government are accepting donations through crowdfunding to help the country's armed forces. The country’s official website directs donors to wire contributions to the State Export-Import Bank or State Treasury Service. The National Bank of Ukraine has even created a dedicated account for fundraising in major currencies. According to Ukraine's official Twitter account, the government will utilize the funds for "logistical and medical support.” Similarly, Come Back Alive, a Kyiv-based non-profit, is collecting cryptocurrency donations to help Ukraine's army get medical supplies, vehicles, drones, and other equipment. The non-profit has received more than $5M in bitcoin donations since Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday. However, Come Back Alive's Patreon crowdfunding website was taken down by Patreon, citing that the donation and membership platform doesn't allow "any campaigns involved in violence or purchasing of military equipment."

Zoom In: According to Ukraine’s health ministry, 352 civilians, including 14 children, have been killed since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops are still advancing on several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Kharkiv. Dozens of people have been killed, and hundreds more wounded as missile strikes by Russian forces have hit Kharkiv. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has ordered the country’s deterrence forces, including nuclear weapons, to stay on high alert on Sunday. The Russian central bank increased interest rates to 20% from 9.5% in an attempt to stabilize the country’s financial markets as the Russian rouble plunged up to 40% on Monday following western sanctions.

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