Ukraine preps for possible guerrilla war, top White House scientist resigns and USA’s Nathan Chen sets world record

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Today we take a closer look at how Ukraine is preparing for the possibility of a drawn out insurgency if Russia invades, and how China is balancing hosting the Olympics while still pursuing its "zero Covid" strategy. Plus, the latest results from the Games.    Here's what we're watching this Tuesday morning.     No match for Russia's military, Ukraine readies for lengthy guerrilla-style war On a recent frigid morning in Ukraine's second-largest city, Serhiy Pistonov, 54, and a group of middle-aged men were busy giving new meaning to the term "weekend warrior."   Pistonov, the director of a cable systems firm, was instructing the men how to engage in what looked like a small-scale skirmish that ended in the detention of a pretend enemy fighter.    Pistonov and his volunteer civilian ilk won't be the country's first line of defense against a Russian invasion, but they may very well be its last, according to Ukrainian and Western military analysts.   They say Ukraine's military is simply no match for Russia's sophisticated hardware and that the capital Kyiv could fall within days. That would likely set the stage for an insurgency or guerrilla-style resistance movement led by Ukraine's military.   Meanwhile, President Joe Biden vowed to "bring an end" to Moscow's all-important Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine.    The 745-mile natural gas pipeline, which is built but not yet operational, would bypass Ukrainian transit infrastructure to deliver Russian gas directly to Germany. Biden made the statement while standing next to the new chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, at a White House news conference Monday. 2022 Winter Olympics Masks, meals and medal hopes dashed: Covid stress pierces Beijing bubble The Olympics are always an anxious time for competing athletes.   But strict coronavirus restrictions, testing confusion and concerns about quarantine conditions in Beijing have added a new layer of stress to the early stages of the 2022 Winter Games.     Amid a growing chorus of complaints and tearful videos posted on social media, organizers have been at pains to stress that support for athletes is their top priority. Read our full story on it here.    More highlights from the Games: U.S. figure skater Nathan Chen sets world record in short program at Beijing Olympics 50 years after his mom's gold, U.S. skier Cochran-Siegle wins silver in Super-G  Tuesday's Top Stories Stacey Abrams wades into school mask debate after maskless photo with children The photo touched a nerve, Republicans say, because it shows the out-of-touch piety that they say leads liberals to set rules they don't always follow. READ MORE Senators introduce bipartisan bill targeting forced labor in supply chain The bill was introduced as China, host of Winter Olympic Games, faces allegations it uses forced labor in the Xinjiang region. READ MORE     OPINION  Why the RNC's pivot toward Trumpism was so embarrassingly unnecessary The RNC has lost its commitment to peaceful, rational disagreement and to the Constitution — and apparently its mind, Dennis Aftergut and Austin Sarat write in an opinion piece.  READ MORE Also in the News Top White House scientist resigns, admits he 'caused hurt' Supreme Court allows Alabama voting maps that advocates say disenfranchise Black voters 'No more excuses': Amir Locke supporters call for firing of police chief, officer who fatally shot him  Two cruise ships seized in Bahamas over unpaid fuel bills   Police arrest suspect after 1 killed in shooting at Washington state supermarket Republican donor and investor Peter Thiel to leave Facebook board Editor's Pick The Mekong River is a regional life source. There's only one country to blame for its crisis, critics say. Chinese dams on the Mekong River endanger fish stocks and livelihoods, critics say. "When the river has problems, the people beside the river have problems," one activist said. READ MORE Select Even if you're on a budget, you can still find a gift that will make your valentine smile. One Fun Thing  U.S. speedskater Casey Dawson races to Beijing after clearing Covid-19 protocols After testing positive for Covid-19, Team USA speedskater Casey Dawson had to wait to receive four negative tests before heading to the Games. Once Dawson got cleared, he booked a last-minute flight to Beijing, where he will have to undergo additional Covid testing just hours before his event gets underway.    Watch a video about his odyssey to compete here.  Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: petra@nbcuni.com   If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Petra Cahill     FOLLOW US     Want to receive NBC Breaking News and Special Alerts in your inbox? 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