Russian forces are continuing their attempted push through Ukraine from multiple directions, while Ukrainians, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are putting up "stiff resistance," according to U.S. officials.
The attack began Feb. 24, when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation."
Russian forces moving from neighboring Belarus toward Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, have advanced closer to the city center in recent days despite the resistance, coming within about 9 miles as of Friday.
Russia has been met by sanctions from the United States, Canada and countries throughout Europe, targeting the Russian economy as well as Putin himself.
A look at the two leaders at the center of the war in Ukraine and how they both rose to power, the difference in their leadership and what led to this moment in history.
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Mar 02, 2022, 2:16 PM EST
WHO warns of possible COVID surge in Ukraine
The World Health Organization on Wednesday warned of a possible COVID-19 surge in Ukraine and critical oxygen shortages with at least three major oxygen plants in the country closed.
Ukraine is experiencing a critical shortage of oxygen impacting the ability to treat those patients.
WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus said that just prior to the war, Ukraine was experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.
With low testing rates since the start of the conflict, there's likely to be significant undetected transmissions, Ghebreyesus said.
Ghebreyesus warned that with low testing and vaccination rates in Ukraine, the risk of large numbers of people developing severe disease increases.
The WHO said it is seeking ways of accessing oxygen from neighboring countries and ways to deliver it safely, saying there is an urgent need to establish a corridor for humanitarian workers and supplies to reach people in need.
Ghebreyesus said he is deeply concerned about the unfolding humanitarian emergency in Ukraine. The first WHO shipment meant to meet the needs of 1,000 patients in Ukraine will arrive in Poland on Thursday. It contains 6 metric tons of supplies for trauma care and emergency surgery.
The WHO has released $5.2 million from their contingency fund for emergencies and said it will need $45 million for Ukraine for the next 3 months and $12.5 million to support neighboring countries in their care for refugees.
-ABC News' Christine Theodorou
Mar 02, 2022, 2:16 PM EST
Ukrainian nationalists, army lost nearly 2,900 people, some 3,700 injured
Nearly 2,870 Ukrainian nationalists and army have died and some 3,700 have been injured, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
According to confirmed data from the Russian Defense ministry, 572 Ukrainian troops have been captured.
Russia said civilians wishing to leave Kyiv in the direction of Vasylkiv won't be stopped by its forces.
"Russian troops are not hindering the exit of the civilian population," Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.
The Russian Defense Ministry also said civilians can leave the city of Mariupol.
"I would like to emphasize that all civilians wishing to leave Mariupol for safety reasons can exit in the eastern direction via the Mariupol-Shyrokyne motorway," Konashenkov said.
-ABC News' Anastasia Bagaeva
Mar 02, 2022, 1:42 PM EST
Ukraine president praises UN for vote to condemn Russian invasion
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday praised the United Nations General Assembly for its vote to condemn the Russian invasion and call for the withdrawal of Russian troops.
Zelenskyy called the results of the vote "destructive" for the aggressor, and said it shows "a global anti-Putin coalition has been formed and is functioning."
“I praise the approval by the #UN GA with an unprecedented majority of votes of the resolution with a strong demand to Russia to immediately stop the treacherous attack on. I’m grateful to everyone & every state that voted in favor. You have chosen the right side of history," Zelenskyy said in a tweet.
"The world is with us. The truth is on our side. Victory will be ours!” Zelenskyy said.
Mar 02, 2022, 2:22 PM EST
UN General Assembly votes to condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine
By a vote of 141-5, with 35 countries abstaining, the United Nations General Assembly voted on Wednesday to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and call for the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces.
In its third day, the emergency meeting of the UNGA showed the divide between the West and Russia and its allies.
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed the country's support for Ukraine, warning that Russia plans to ramp up its attacks.
"It appears Russia is preparing to increase the brutality of its campaign against Ukraine,” Thomas-Greenfield said. "We've seen videos of Russian forces moving exceptionally lethal weaponry into Ukraine, which has no place on the battlefield--that includes cluster munitions and vacuum bombs, which are banned under the Geneva Convention."
"At every step of the war, Russia has betrayed the United Nations. Russia's actions go against everything this body stands for," Thomas-Greenfield said.
"To the Russian soldiers sent to the front lines of an unjust, unnecessary war. I say your leaders are lying to you--do not commit war crimes, do everything you can to put down your weapons and leave Ukraine. The truth is that this war was one man's choice, and one man alone. President Putin," Thomas-Greenfield said.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya plays a video message during the 11th emergency special session of the 193-member U.N. General Assembly on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, March 2, 2022.
Eduardo Munoz/Reuters
Thomas-Greenfield also called on Belarus to stop its support of the war and to stop allowing its territory to facilitate this aggression.
The representative for Belarus denied the accusation that the country is involved in the unlawful use of force against Ukraine.
"We categorically reject accusations against Belarus that we are involved in unlawful use of force against Ukraine. I will let you in on a secret. Yes, we are involved. The president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, personally is sparing no efforts to ensure contacts between the Russian and Ukrainian sides,” said Valentin Rybakov, the representative for Belarus.
Claiming the country had been embroiled in “a state of civil war” for nearly a decade, Rybakov said “we all bare our share of responsibility for what is happening in Ukraine.”
The country voted against the resolution condemning the Russian invasion.
Ukraine's Sergiy Kyslytsya urged the body to move quickly to condemn Russia, warning that a delay would result in the loss of more lives as it did during the Second World War.
"They have come to deprive Ukraine of the very right to exist. They have come to resolve the 'Ukrainian issue,'" Ukraine’s Sergiy Kyslytsya said of Vladimir Putin and other top ranking Russian officials. “Just stop and think if whether these words remind you of something.”
He also mentioned the destruction of the Babyn Yar holocaust memorial. "What an irony when victim of Nazis are being killed for a second time by Nazi modern followers,” he said. “It’s already clear the goal of Russia is not an occupation only. It is genocide."
Kyslytsya urged each country to take a stand or face the same plight as Ukraine.
“The evil will never stop. It requires more and more space to conquer. If tolerated, it advances further and further. The draft resolution is one of the building blocks to build a wall to stop it,” he said. “The wall to protect all of you.”
