Russia-Ukraine updates: Russian missile strikes hit multiple Ukrainian cities

Dozens of injuries were reported in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

ByKevin Shalvey, Nadine El-Bawab, Ivan Pereira, Morgan Winsor, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: June 27, 2023, 5:54 AM EDT

Russia has continued a nearly 19-month-long invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Recently, though, the Ukrainians have gone on a counteroffensive, fighting to reclaim occupied territory.

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Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Jun 27, 2023, 5:15 AM EDT

Belarus was 'combat' ready during rebellion, president says

The military in Belarus was ordered to "full combat readiness" during the Wagner Group's rebellion in neighboring Russia, President Alexander Lukashenko said.

Lukashenko, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was said to have helped broker a deal to halt the choatic rebellion by Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks at a ceremony in Minsk on June 27, 2023.
Belarusian presidential press service/AFP via Getty Images

"I will not hide, it was painful to watch the events that took place in the south of Russia," Lukashenko said Tuesday during brief remarks before a military presentation. "Not only me. Many of our citizens took them to heart. Because the fatherland is one."

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko walk during a meeting at the Bocharov Ruchei residence in Sochi, Russia June 9, 2023.
Sputnik/via Reuters

The fatherland comment appeared to allude to Lukashenko's longstanding belief that Russia and Belarus share a special bond.

He added, "I gave all orders to bring the army to full combat readiness."

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule

Jun 26, 2023, 6:34 PM EDT

US to announce $500M in military aid to Ukraine, official says

The U.S. will announce another military aid package for Ukraine Tuesday, a U.S. official told ABC News.

The $500 million aid package will include 30 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, 25 Stryker armored vehicles, missiles for the HIMARS system and the Patriot air defense system, TOW missiles, Javelins and more ammunition for artillery, according to the official.

PHOTO: American soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Comat Team, 1st Infantry Division supporting the 4th Infantry Division are seen during a training session utilizing Bradley Fighting Vehicle in Poland, April 12, 2023.
American soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Comat Team, 1st Infantry Division supporting the 4th Infantry Division, are seen during a high-intensity training session utilizing Bradley Fighting Vehicle in Nowa Deba, Poland on April 12, 2023.
Artur Widak/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, FILE

This will be the 41st aid package under the Presidential Drawdown Authority that allows the transfer of weapons from U.S. military stockpiles to Ukraine.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Jun 26, 2023, 3:42 PM EDT

Putin expresses defiance against attempted Wagner rebellion

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his first public remarks after the Wagner Group attempted to march to Moscow and overthrow the government.

In a pre-recorded video statement, Putin thanked the Russians for their endurance, solidarity and patriotism during the ordeal and claimed that any blackmail attempt was doomed to fail.

PHOTO: In this handout photo released by Russian Presidential Press Service on Monday, June 26, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin sits for a video address in Moscow, Russia.
In this handout photo released by Russian Presidential Press Service on June 26, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin sits for a video address in Moscow.
Russian Presidential Press Service via AP

Putin said an armed rebellion would have been suppressed.

"The organizers of the rebellion, betraying their country, their people, betrayed those who were drawn into the crime. They lied to them, pushed them to death, under fire, to shoot at their own," Putin said.

The Russian president noted that the majority of Wagner fighters were "patriots."

"I thank those soldiers and commanders of the Wagner Group who made the only right decision," Putin said. "They did not go to fratricidal bloodshed, they stopped at the last line."

Putin offered Wagner Group members who participated in the rebellion the option of joining the defense ministry or other law enforcement agencies or returning home.

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman, Natalia Shumskaia, Tanya Stukalova and Anastasia Bagaeva

Jun 26, 2023, 3:29 PM EDT

Putin to make statement following attempted rebellion

Russian President Vladimir Putin is slated to make public statements Monday evening, according to Russian media.

This will be his first public comment since the failed Wagner Group attempted rebellion.

-ABC News' Natalia Shumskaia and Ellie Kaufman

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