Russia-Ukraine updates: Putin suspends key US-Russia nuclear treaty

President Vladimir Putin said he'd sought an "open dialogue" with the West.

ByMorgan Winsor, Emily Shapiro, Meredith Deliso, Nadine El-Bawab, Bill Hutchinson, Ivan Pereira, Patricio Chile, Kevin Shalvey, Julia Jacobo, Teddy Grant, Jon Haworth, and Mary Kekatos
Last Updated: February 24, 2023, 5:53 AM EST

Almost a year after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine, the two countries are engaged in a struggle for control of areas throughout the east and south.

Putin's forces pulled out of key positions in November, retreating from Kherson as Ukrainian troops led a counteroffensive targeting the southern port city. Russian drones have continued bombarding civilian targets throughout Ukraine, knocking out critical power infrastructure as winter sets in.

For previous coverage, please click here.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Jan 26, 2023, 11:17 AM EST

US designates Russia's Wagner Group as 'transnational criminal organization'

The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against a number of individuals and entities associated with the Wager Group in Russia and across the world in an effort to "degrade the Russian Federation’s capacity to wage war against Ukraine," the department said in a statement.

The U.S. designated Russia's Wagner Group a "transnational criminal organization," not just for the alleged atrocities it has committed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but also for its alleged human rights abuses in African countries like the Central African Republic.

PHOTO: A man wearing a camouflage uniform walks out of PMC Wagner Centre, a project implemented by the founder of the Wagner private military group Yevgeny Prigozhin, during the official opening of the office block in Saint Petersburg, Nov. 4, 2022.
A man wearing a camouflage uniform walks out of PMC Wagner Centre, which is a project implemented by the businessman and founder of the Wagner private military group Yevgeny Prigozhin, during the official opening of the office block in Saint Petersburg, Nov. 4, 2022.
Igor Russak/Reuters, FILE

The U.S. believes the Wagner Group has 50,000 people fighting in Ukraine, including 40,000 convicts, according to the White House. The group's leader is Russian President Vladimir Putin's ally Yevgeniy Prigozhin, who was already facing several U.S. sanctions.

Last week, the White House first announced the U.S. would take this step.

Jan 26, 2023, 5:21 AM EST

1 dead in Kyiv in Russian missile strike

At least 15 missiles fired at Kyiv on Thursday were shot down, officials said.

One person was killed and two were wounded after part of a missile fell in the Holosiivskyi District of Kyiv, Mayor Vitaliy Klychko said. The missile hit a residential building, he said.

People take shelter inside a metro station during massive Russian missile attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine, Jan. 26, 2023.
Viacheslav Ratynskyi/Reuters

Air raid sirens began sounding just before sunrise in the capital. Some residents fled to shelters, including Kyiv's metro stations.

A missile also struck Vinnytsia, the local governor said. No casualties were immediately reported there.

Jan 26, 2023, 2:00 AM EST

Air raid sirens sound in Kyiv

Air raid sirens went off across Ukraine as Russia launched multiple missiles from the east and south. Some were shot down, according to Andriy Yermak, head of the president's office.

Airborne forces last night shot down all 24 unmanned aerial vehicles launched by Russia. At least 15 of those were shot down in or around Kyiv, according to the local authorities. No casualties or impacts were reported.

-ABC News' Yulia Drozd

Jan 25, 2023, 6:31 AM EST

Germany to deliver tanks to Ukraine, in major step for allies' support

German officials said on Wednesday they plan to deliver 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

“This decision follows our well-known line of supporting Ukraine to the best of our ability,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement. “We are acting in a closely coordinated manner internationally.”

PHOTO: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz takes questions from parliamentarians as Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, left, listens, at a session of the Bundestag, Jan. 25, 2023, in Berlin.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz takes questions from parliamentarians as Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, left, listens, at a session of the Bundestag, Jan. 25, 2023, in Berlin. Scholz acknowledged that Germany will provide Ukraine with Leopard main battle tanks.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Officials said the decision was the result of intensive consultations that took place with Germany's closest European and international partners. Other European allies also plan to send tanks, German officials said.

Ukrainian activists rally outside the German embassy to demand Germany to send Ukraine Leopard battle tanks in Tbilisi on Jan. 25, 2023.
Vano Shlamov/AFP via Getty Images

Ukrainian troops will be trained on the tanks in Germany, officials said in a statement. Germany also planned to send ammunition and provide system maintenance.

-ABC News' Joe Simonetti and Sarah Hucal

Related Topics