At least 137 soldiers and civilians perished on the first day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while New Zealand announced that it will join global sanctions and condemnation of President Vladimir Putin. There is no caption Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated that New Zealand joined its international allies in condemning the attack and has taken immediate action against the Russian government. "An unfathomable number of innocent lives may be lost as a result of Russia's decision to pursue this completely avoidable path," she said. Protesters have also gathered at the Russian embassy in Wellington, New Zealand, to reject Russia. New Zealand has swiftly responded to the invasion by imposing targeted travel bans on Russian officials and other individuals involved in the invasion. They will be prohibited from obtaining New Zealand entry or transit visas. In addition to prohibiting exports to Russian military and security forces, New Zealand has suspended bilateral ministry consultations until further notice. After Vladimir Putin declared war in a predawn televised address, explosions and gunfire were heard throughout the day in Kyiv, the 3 million-person capital of Ukraine. At nightfall, a picture of fierce fighting on multiple fronts emerged. The former nuclear power plant at Chernobyl has been captured by Russian forces, according to a presidential adviser in Ukraine, just 90 kilometers north of the capital. On the first day of Russia's massive military assault, 137 Ukrainian citizens, both soldiers and civilians, perished, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky urged Ukrainians to defend their nation and stated that arms would be provided to anyone willing to fight. "Today, we have heard more than just missile explosions, gunfire, and aircraft rumble. This is the sound of a new Iron Curtain that has fallen and is isolating Russia from civilized society "Zelensky said. US President Joe Biden announced, in coordination with allies, harsh new sanctions against Russian banks, oligarchs, and state companies. "Putin is the attacker. Putin chose this conflict. Now, he and his country will bear the repercussions "he said. The UN agency for refugees estimated that approximately 100,000 Ukrainians had fled their homes. Thousands of people were entering neighboring nations, including Romania, Moldova, Poland, and Hungary