Russia-Ukraine updates: US sanctions Russian military shipbuilder, diamond miner

A senior administration official told ABC News Friday that the U.S. is getting reports the Russians are starting to bring in biochemical weapon suits into Ukraine.

The reports comes as the Russians accuse Ukraine and the U.S. of developing biochemical weapons, which the U.S. has denied.

"We believe it is an ominous sign they are possibly doing it for cover," the official said.

According to the official, as much as one-fifth of the Russian force is currently "inoperable," meaning they are either dead, wounded or do not have the support or equipment needed to continue.

But even though the Russians are bogged down they realize that everything depends on taking Kyiv and continue to put all effort into that, according to the official.

There are also concerns about boxing Putin in as well as his consistent and casual mention of nuclear weapons. According to the official, that is one of the reasons he has not been publicly labeled as a war criminal because "we just don't know what he will do."

-ABC News' Martha Raddatz

White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates fell short of calling Putin’s actions in Ukraine war crimes despite acknowledging that that evidence is mounting that Russia’s attack in the country will result in war crimes on Friday.

“We've all seen the devastating images coming out of Ukraine and are appalled by Russia's brutal tactics. Pregnant women on stretchers, apartment buildings - buildings shelled, families killed while seeking safety from this terrible violence,” Bates said while briefing reporters aboard Air Force One.

"These are disgusting attacks, civilian casualties are increasing. If Russia is intentionally targeting civilians, that would be a war crime," he said.

Bates said the administration would share any evidence that is collected with its allies and hinted that it expects evidence will show that war crimes are being committed.

“If Russia is intentionally targeting civilians, that would be a war crime and as we are all seeing on live television evidence is mounting, and we are documenting it as it takes place," Bates said.

-ABC News' Armando Tonatiuh Torres-García

The U.S. Department of Justice said its new task force dedicated to targeting sanctioned Russian oligarchs and their assets is "up and running," a senior DOJ official told reporters on Friday.

The DOJ is building out an experienced team of criminal and national security attorneys weighing a number of possible criminal charges to bring against those helping to support Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine, according to the official.

The "KleptoCapture" task force is now being led by assistant U.S. attorney Andrew Adams, a co-chief of the Southern District of New York's Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises unit.

David Lim, a trial attorney in DOJ's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Michael Khoo, an attorney in DOJ's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, have been appointed as deputy directors for the task force.

"Our goal is to bring any appropriate charge against any sanctioned Russian oligarch or entity and those who would help them to evade economic sanctions," the DOJ official said.

The official added, "Offenses under investigation are going to include sanctions evasion, money laundering, bank and wire fraud -- but the task force will bring any charge that might undermine and disrupt the comfort that these oligarchs achieved through crime and corruption."

Last week, charges were brought in the Southern District of New York against Jack Hanick, the first ever individual charged with violating U.S. sanctions arising from Russia's 2014 actions in Ukraine.

-ABC News' Alexander Mallin

President Joe Biden announced new steps Friday to "squeeze Putin" for his invasion of Ukraine and warned that Russia would pay a "severe price" if it uses chemical weapons in Ukraine.

Biden also called Russian President Vladimir Putin an aggressor, saying he "must pay the price."

Biden announced that the U.S., along with the G7 and EU partners, are revoking the favored nations status for Russia, bringing an end to normal trade relations with the Kremlin.

"He cannot pursue a war that threatens … the very foundations of international peace and stability and then ask for financial help from the international community," Biden said.

The move is the latest highlighting the unity of the West against Putin.

"The free world is coming together to confront Putin," Biden said, adding that sanctions already imposed are "crushing" the Russian economy. He also hinted that these are just the latest steps, but not the "last steps" allies will take against Russia.

Biden said he spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for "some time" telling him that the U.S. stands with Ukraine "as they bravely fight to defend their country."

Biden also said he looks forward to signing Congress' bipartisan spending bill, which includes an additional $13.5 billion in aid to Ukraine, "immediately."

“We will make sure Ukraine has weapons to defend against an invading Russian force. We will send money and food and aid to save the Ukrainian people. And I will welcome Ukrainian refugees—we should welcome them here with open arms if they need access,” Biden said.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez and Molly Nagle