Russian President Vladimir Putin's "special military operation" into neighboring Ukraine began on Feb. 24, with Russian forces invading from Belarus, to the north, and Russia, to the east. Ukrainian troops have offered "stiff resistance," according to U.S. officials.
The Russian military has since launched a full-scale ground offensive in eastern Ukraine's disputed Donbas region, capturing the strategic port city of Mariupol and securing a coastal corridor to the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula.
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.
Jun 03, 2022, 3:59 PM EDT
IAEA concludes mission to Chornobyl nuclear power plant
The International Atomic Energy Agency said Friday that it has concluded its mission at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine. The IAEA team worked with their Ukrainian counterparts on radiation protection, safety of waste management and security.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi is now continuing efforts to organize an IAEA mission to Ukraine's largest Nuclear Power Plant, Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhya, to carry out nuclear safety, security and safeguards activities at the site.
-ABC News' Alexandra Faul
Jun 03, 2022, 12:39 PM EDT
EU issues latest package of sanctions
The European Union announced a new package of sanctions targeting Russia on Friday. The EU is banning all sea transfers of crude oil from Russia after a six-month transitory period, to allow for the market to adjust.
The EU will also ban imports (sea transfers) of refined petroleum products from Russia, after an eight-month transitory period.
The EU also added 65 new individuals to its sanctions list, including retired Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva. She became chair of the board of the National Media Group and previously sat as a deputy in Russia's State Duma.
Kabaeva was sanctioned by the U.K. on May 13, which said she is alleged to have a close personal relationship with Putin, but has not been sanctioned by the U.S.
-ABC News' Christine Theodorou
Jun 03, 2022, 12:17 PM EDT
Marriott suspends all operations in Russia
Marriott International announced Friday that it will suspend all its operations in Russia, after operating there for 25 years, due to the conflict in Ukraine.
It said the suspension comes as newly announced U.S., U.K. and EU restrictions will make it impossible for it to operate or franchise hotels in Russia.
Marriott closed its corporate office in Moscow and all upcoming hotels and future developments and investments were paused on March 10.
The company also announced it has given $1 million in disaster relief funds for associates and their families who have been directly affected by the war. Lodging is being offered to refugees from Ukraine at 85 hotels in neighboring countries.
-ABC News' Alexandra Faul
Jun 03, 2022, 7:50 AM EDT
Russia now controls over 90% of Luhansk region
Russia now controls over 90% of eastern Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast and "is likely to complete control in the next two weeks," the U.K. Ministry of Defense said Friday in an intelligence update.
"Russia is now achieving tactical success in the Donbas. Russian forces have generated and maintained momentum and currently appear to hold the initiative over Ukrainian opposition," the ministry said. "Russia has achieved these recent tactical successes at significant resource cost, and by concentrating force and fires on a single part of the overall campaign."
Russia has been unable to advance its other fronts or axes, "all of which have transitioned to the defensive," according to the ministry. In fact, the ministry noted, none of the strategic objectives of Moscow's original plan have been achieved.
Ukrainian servicemen park a Russian BMP-2, an infantry combat vehicle, in the Kharkiv area of eastern Ukraine, May 29, 2022. The Ukrainian military has been recovering abandoned Russian combat vehicles on the frontline to repair them and use them to their advantage.
Bernat Armangue/AP
Russian forces failed to achieve their initial objectives to seize Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and other major cities.
"Staunch Ukrainian resistance and the failure to secure Hostomel airfield in the first 24 hours led to Russian offensive operations being repulsed," the ministry said. "Following the failure of the initial plan, through false planning assumptions and poor tactical execution, Russia adapted its operational design to focus on the Donbas."
Russian forces are now battling Ukrainian troops for control of the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, which comprises Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts.
"In order for Russia to achieve any form of success will require continued huge investment of manpower and equipment, and is likely to take considerable further time," the ministry added.
