CNN Live Shot in Kyiv Interrupted By Multiple Explosions from Invasion

It’s already begun. It began Wednesday night at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Time. There is evidence that Vladimir Putin wants to seize more territory than the Donbass in the east. This evidence was presented by the explosions at the capital Kyiv in a CNN live video of Matthew Chance from his hotel roof. He had to put on a flak vest because of the danger posed by the blasts.

Chance was reporting on a speech Putin had delivered to the Russian people just minutes before as the reported cruise missiles started to drop in the distance:

According to the Ukrainian resistance, any blame for the bloodshed that resulted from this war suggested by or declared President Putin falls on them.

[Explosion in the distance]

Oh. I tell you what, I just heard a big bang –

[Explosion in the distance]

— Right behind me. I told you we shouldn’t have done the live shot here.

[Explosion in the distance]

Big explosions are taking place right now in Kyiv.

[Explosion in the distance]

“I can’t see where they’re taking place from this vantage point here on top of the roof of the hotel in central Kyiv. It’s not easy to explain their nature. But I heard four or five explosions a few moments ago,” he said, unsure host Don Lemon or the audience could hear them.

Chance tried to figure out what was going around him as the missiles fell.

CHANCE — I heard it. It could. Right. It’s not clear to me what it might be. But I will tell you that the United States has warned –

[Explosion in the distance]

LEMON: Is that another one?

CHANCE– It was the Ukrainians. Yes, it did. However, they are far away from my current position.

“Have you heard anything explosions, anything similar since you have been in Kyiv,” Lemon asked. “No. No. Absolute not. This is the first occasion. This is the first time that we’ve heard anything,” Chance explained as eve more explosions can be heard:

The city has been silent for the entire duration of tonight

[Explosion in the distance]

For the last several weeks, we have not seen any sign of life.

[Explosion in the distance]

I can honestly say that this was the most unusual thing I’ve ever heard in Kyiv during all of my years here reporting from there.

Lemon grew more concerned for Chance’s safety as roughly three more explosions went off:

LEMON: Matthew is safe?

CHANCE: I can’t quite pinpoint — Yeah. It seems relatively secure at this time. It was a-

[Explosion in the distance]

[Explosion in the distance]

Oh.

LEMON: Here’s another.

[Explosion in the distance]

“I’ve got a flak jacket right here. Let me just get it on,” Chance said as he processed to don’t the protective equipment.

Below is the transcript. Click “expand to read:

CNN’s Don Lemon Tonight
February 23, 2022
Eastern Time: 10:06 p.m.

(…)

MATTHEW CHANGE: I think it’s too late for a reply, Don. The speech that Vladimir Putin made on Russian media basically stated that he has ordered a special operation in Donbas. According to the Ukrainians, any blame for the bloodshed inflicted by the basically war declared or suggested by Putin will be on their shoulders.

[Explosion in the distance]

Oh. I tell you what, I just heard a big bang –

[Explosion in the distance]

— Right behind me. I told you we shouldn’t have done the live shot here.

[Explosion in the distance]

Big explosions are taking place right now in Kyiv.

[Explosion in the distance]

From this high vantage point, I cannot see the location of these events from the top of the Hotel in Central Kyiv. They are not explained to me. Just a second ago, however, I was able to hear four to five explosive sounds. It’s not clear if our viewers could hear it or if you were there.  

DON LEMON: Matthew, we could hear it.

CHANCE — I heard it. It could. Right. It’s not clear to me what it might be. But I will tell you that the United States has warned –

[Explosion in the distance]

LEMON: Is that another one?

CHANCE– It was the Ukrainians. Yes, it did. However, they are far away from my current position.

But, I can confirm that the United States warned Ukraine authorities that strikes, strikes, missile attack, and ground strikes could occur at any time. This includes the capital Kyiv.

It’s possible that this is what I’m seeing right now. It’s amazing that I am hearing explosions in Kyiv right this moment.

LEMON: Matthew. Let me leap in to ask you —

CHANCE: Within minutes of Vladimir Putin’s speech.

LEMON: Yes. Minutes later, the speech was over. It was only minutes after the speech.

CHANCE: No. No. Absolute not. It’s the first time. We have never heard of anything before. It has been completely silent throughout tonight in the city.

[Explosion in the distance]

We haven’t seen any for several weeks.

[Explosion in the distance]

In all the years I’ve been reporting and coming to Kyiv, this is actually something I’ve never seen in Kyiv. This is it. This is not a random event. I can hear rumblings right now.  

LEMON: Matthew is safe?

CHANCE: I can’t quite pinpoint — Yeah. It seems relatively secure at this time. It was a-

[Explosion in the distance]

[Explosion in the distance]

Oh.

LEMON: Here’s another.

[Explosion in the distance]

CHANCE: This is my flak jacket. I’ll just put it on.

LEMON: Matthew is available to us from Kyiv in Ukraine. Matthew, we’re going to stick with you.

(…)