Russia-Ukraine updates: US sanctions Russian military shipbuilder, diamond miner
Russia's largest military shipbuilding and diamond mining firms were targeted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's "special military operation” into Ukraine began on Feb. 24, with troops crossing the border from Belarus and Russia. Moscow's forces have since been met with “stiff resistance” from Ukrainians, according to U.S. officials.
Russian forces retreated last week from the Kyiv suburbs, leaving behind a trail of destruction. After graphic images emerged of civilians lying dead in the streets of Bucha, U.S. and European officials accused Russian troops of committing war crimes.
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Latest headlines:
- US sanctions Russian military shipbuilding and diamond mining companies
- Fox News' Benjamin Hall provides 1st update since being severely injured in shelling
- Situation in Borodyanka 'much worse' than other Ukrainian towns, Zelenskyy says
- Blinken shares graphic details of alleged atrocities in Ukraine
- UN votes to suspend Russia from Human Rights Council
Russia strikes Odessa, strategic Black Sea port city
Plumes of dark smoke rose on Sunday over Odessa, Ukraine, after an early morning Russian attack on the strategic and historic port city.
Missiles struck critical infrastructure facilities in the southern city, which sits on the Black Sea, Ukraine’s southern command announced. Casualties have not yet been reported.
According to the Ukrainian military, some Russian missiles were shot down by air defenses.
Missiles first hit Odessa on the opening night of Russia's invasion and again late last month. Residents have been bracing for Russia to launch an offensive to take the city.
Russia’s military on Sunday claimed the attack destroyed an oil refinery and three fuel depots, which had been supplying fuel to a nearby group of Ukrainian troops.
-ABC News’ Yulia Drozd
Zelenskyy updates on resistance's progress, calls on West to send more weapons
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a new address Saturday updating the progress of the country's defense against Russian forces.
Ukrainian forces are regaining control of the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions, according to the president.
"There are more and more Ukrainian national flags in the areas that have been temporarily occupied," Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy, however, said his country hasn't received any new weapon systems from the West and chastised Western allies.
"Every Russian missile that hit our cities and every bomb dropped on our people, on our children, only adds black paint to the history that will describe everyone on whom the decision depended; [the] decision whether to help Ukraine with modern weapons," he said.
-ABC News' Jason Volack
Ukrainian photographer found dead in Kyiv area
Acclaimed Ukrainian photographer Maksim Levin was found dead by police in the Kyiv region, a Ukrainian online publication confirmed.
Levin went missing on March 13 while covering fighting in the village of Moshchun, Ukraine, with Oleksiy Chernyshov, who has not yet been found. Intense fighting broke out in the area where they were.
Levin worked as a photojournalist, documentary photographer and cameraman for many Ukrainian and international publications, according to .
He worked in the editorial office of for more than 10 years, and has also worked with Reuters, BBC, TRT World, Associated Press and Hromadske.
-ABC News' Yulia Drozd
Ukrainian flag raised over Chernobyl
The Ukrainian national flag was raised above the Chernobyl nuclear power plant Saturday at 11:00 a.m. local time, as workers sung the national anthem and celebrated the departure of Russian troops who had occupied the site for weeks.
"The flag-raising ceremony was attended by the station's operational personnel, who have been ensuring and continue to ensure the nuclear and radiation safety of the facilities during the difficult conditions of the occupation," Energoatom, Ukraine's state enterprise which operates its nuclear power stations, posted on its Telegram channel.