Russia-Ukraine updates: Putin says war was ‘unleashed’ on Russia

The Russian president delivered his annual Victory Day speech.

More than a year after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the countries are fighting for control of areas in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's forces are readying a spring counteroffensive, but Putin appears to be preparing for a long and bloody war.

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Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Mar 03, 2023, 2:21 PM EST

Merrick Garland makes unannounced visit to Ukraine

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Friday at the invitation of the Ukrainian prosecutor general to join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other international partners at the United for Justice Conference.

PHOTO: Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and a group of international prosecutors meet to discuss allegations of war crimes committed in Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine, March 3, 2023.
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and a group of international prosecutors meet to discuss allegations of war crimes committed in Ukraine, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Lviv, Ukraine, March 3, 2023.
Roman Baluk/Reuters

Garland attended several meetings while he was there.

-ABC News' Alexander Mallin

Mar 03, 2023, 2:09 PM EST

US announces $400 million more in military aid for Ukraine

The U.S. Department of Defense announced $400 million in new military aid for Ukraine, including eight folding armored bridges for the first time.

This is the Biden administration's 33rd drawdown of equipment from Department of Defense inventories for Ukraine.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Mar 03, 2023, 2:08 PM EST

5,000 remain in Bakhmut as Russian shelling intensifies

Around 5,000 people still remain in the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, including 37 children, according to Donetsk Oblast Regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko.

The losses in Bakhmut stand at the rate of one Ukrainian solider to seven Russian soldiers, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksii Danilo said on TV.

Russian forces fighting for control of Bakhmut intensified shelling at access roads to the west, making it harder for Ukrainian forces to move in and out, Reuters reported Friday.

-ABC News' Yulia Drozd

Mar 03, 2023, 12:20 PM EST

Blinken, Ukrainian foreign minister discuss Lavrov meeting

The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba about the brief conversation that took place at the G-20 summit between Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

"The Secretary underscored to Foreign Minister Kuleba the United States’ enduring support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s brutal attacks, including the ongoing targeting of civilian infrastructure and resulting civilian casualties," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford

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