Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on 24 February, when the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republic (DPR and LPR) appealed for help defending itself against Ukrainian provocation. Russia said its special operation aimed to demilitarize and “demilitarize” Ukraine.
Here are the 10 latest updates from the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war:
The Group of Seven leaders will discuss possible new sanctions against Russia on Sunday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed confidence that the European Union would reach an agreement on the Russian oil embargo following proposals to give Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic more time to comply.
All women, children and the elderly have been rescued for a week from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. President Volodymyr Zelensky said efforts were on to get Ukrainian fighters out of the site.
Fighting continues on multiple fronts, and Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said it had destroyed another Russian vessel – a Serna-class landing craft – in the Black Sea.
On Monday, President Vladimir Putin will celebrate the Soviet victory of World War II over Nazi Germany with a traditional Victory Day parade.
According to Russia’s defense ministry, 77 aircraft will conduct flypasts, including the rarely seen Il-80 doomsday aircraft that can withstand a nuclear attack.
Ukraine’s rescue service said a missile struck a technical college in the eastern region of Donetsk, killing at least two people.
In Lugansk, Ukrainian officials said on Friday that Russian forces had nearly besieged Severodonetsk – the easternmost city still occupied by Kyiv – and were trying to attack it. In the south, Kherson is the only important city that Russia has managed to capture since the start of the war.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry says it has destroyed a Russian landing craft near the Black Sea’s Snake Island, posting overhead footage on social media that appears to explode on a light craft. Russia has not yet confirmed the attack.
Italy has confiscated the $700m, 140m mega yacht after speculation it could belong to Putin.
US President Joe Biden announced a new $150 million arms package for Ukraine, including artillery munitions and radar, while urging Congress to pass a $33 billion aid package, including $20 billion in military aid.