and we'll get to our other correspondents in a moment. this is where it appears there are things going on. now, the president of -- vladimir putin moments ago saying he was going to send a special military operation to protect donbas. and then just minutes after that speech aired on state television our matthew chance is doing a live shot for us here at 10:00 eastern time, 5:00 a.m. in ukraine. and there are explosions. again, not exactly sure what they are. but matthew chance is getting into place now and he's live. matthew, are you back with us? can you hear us now? >> yeah, i can hear you throughout all of that. i'm sorry about -- >> matthew, just so you know, your flak jacket is covering your microphone. if you can somehow get it out. >> yeah. here it is. >> there you go. loud and clear, matthew. go ahead, please. please, if you're -- do you need to put on your head gear? or you're good. >> yeah.