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, 6:39 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, 6:39 AM EDT

Military stopped 'civil war,' Putin says

The Russian military and security forces stopped what could have become a "civil war," President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

"The Russian military in a difficult hour for the country stood in the way of turmoil, the result of which would be chaos," Putin said at an event for military units, adding that "the military and law enforcement officers of the Russian Federation actually stopped the civil war."

Defense Minister Shoigu, who the Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's had sought to have replaced, was present at Tuesday's ceremony.

-ABC News' Tanya Stukalova

Jun 27, 2023, 5:01 AM EDT

Russia closes case against Wagner Group leader

The Russian Federal Security Service on Tuesday dropped the criminal case investigating the rebellion by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his forces.

A woman uses her mobile phone in front of the Federal Security Service (FSB) building on Lubyanka Square in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2023.
Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

The FSB said it closed the case because it has been established that participants stopped actions directly aimed at committing a crime.

-ABC News’ Anastasia Bagaeva

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

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