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 07, 2022, 7:46 PM EST
Zelenskyy appears in his office for 1st time since invasion began
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has filmed himself from the street just outside his office, but for the first time since the invasion began, he posted a video message from inside.
“We’re not scared, because you’re not scared,” he told Ukrainians who have taken up arms and told Russia it is not welcome.
“So, I stay here at Bankova Street,” Zelenskyy said. “I’m not hiding from anyone and not afraid of anyone as long as it takes to win in this war, our truly patriotic war.”
In this screen grab taken from a video, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks from his office on March 7, 2022.
Office of the President of Ukraine/YouTube
The latest address was filmed as a selfie in which he showed a view of Kyiv on Monday night.
“This is Kyiv at night outside the window. This is our office. Monday night. You know, we’re used to saying Monday is a hard day,” he said. “But the country is at war now, so every day is Monday.”
-ABC News’ Christine Theodorou
Mar 07, 2022, 7:23 PM EST
Nuclear research facility damaged by shelling in Kharkiv
Ukraine’s national nuclear regulator told the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday that a new nuclear research facility producing radioisotopes for medical and industrial applications had been damaged by shelling in the city of Kharkiv on Sunday.
The incident did not cause any increase in radiation levels at the site.
The nuclear material in the facility is always subcritical, the IAEA said, and the inventory of radioactive material is very low, so the damage reported would not have any radiological consequence.
Eight of Ukraine’s 15 reactors are currently operating, the IAEA said, citing Ukraine’s nuclear regulator.
IAEA Director General Grossi noted there have been several episodes compromising safety at Ukraine’s nuclear sites, including a recent fire at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, where two reactors are still operational.
-ABC News’ Christine Theodorou
Mar 07, 2022, 7:14 PM EST
Ukraine and Russia’s foreign ministers to meet this week
Ukraine and Russia’s foreign ministers have agreed to meet on the sidelines of a diplomatic forum in Turkey on Thursday in what will be the highest level direct meeting between the two sides since Russia’s invasion.
The meeting was agreed following a call between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.
Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova earlier confirmed the two had agreed to a meeting. Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has also confirmed it.
It’s not clear that there is much the two will be able to agree on, but it still signals a readiness by Russia to talk. For now, Russia is continuing to put forward hardline demands that Ukraine guarantee it will never join NATO or the European Union.
-ABC News’ Patrick Reevell
Mar 07, 2022, 6:53 PM EST
Russia declares temporary cease-fire, claims it will not send in conscripts
Russia's military has announced another temporary cease-fire in Ukraine beginning Tuesday at 10 a.m. local time and said it is prepared to open humanitarian corridors from Kyiv and several other key Ukrainian cities it has encircled.
In a statement, the Russian Ministry of Defense said the corridors would allow people to go north to Russia and its ally Belarus, adding that it would also allow routes in some places to other parts of Ukraine.
The ministry said there will be corridors from Kyiv, as well as the northern cities Chernihiv and Sumy and the key eastern cities Kharkiv and Mariupol.
Russia had initially proposed corridors only to Russia and Belarus, which Ukraine had rejected as "immoral."
However, Russia has previously violated its own cease-fire, shelling evacuation areas, and it is unclear if corridors for people to move within Ukraine will actually be made available.
This video grab taken from a handout footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry on March 7, 2022, shows a purported Russian tank unit advancement in the Kyiv region, in Ukraine.
Russian Defence Ministry via AFP via Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin also said in a video address that Russia will not call up additional reservists or send in conscripts to fight the war in Ukraine, saying it will be fought only by professional soldiers.
"The tasks are solved only by professional military personnel," Putin said. "I am sure they will reliably ensure security and peace for the people of Russia."
His comments came in a video message to Russia's women on International Women's Day, saying he understood the concerns of the "mothers, wives, sisters, brides and girlfriends of our soldiers and officers who are now in battle, defending Russia during a special military operation."
Some reports indicate that Russian conscripts have been pressured into signing professional contracts before being deployed into Ukraine.
