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 09, 2023, 3:59 AM EST

Zelenskyy decries Russia's 'miserable tactics'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday said Russian officials had returned "to their miserable tactics" as they launched at least 81 missiles at Ukrainian sites overnight.

"The occupiers can only terrorize civilians. That's all they can do. But it won't help them," he said on Telegram. "They won't avoid responsibility for everything they have done."

People shelter inside a subway station during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 9, 2023.
Alina Yarysh/Reuters

He added, "We thank the guardians of our skies and everyone who helps to overcome the consequences of the occupiers' sneaking attacks!"

-ABC News' Yulia Drozd and Joe Simonetti

Mar 09, 2023, 3:34 AM EST

81 missiles launched in 'massive' Russian attack, Ukraine says

Waves of missiles and a handful of drones were launched overnight by Russia, targeting energy infrastructure and cities across Ukraine, officials said.

The attack on "critical infrastructure" and civilian targets lasted throughout the night, Verkovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, said on Twitter. Energy was being gradually restored on Thursday morning, the body said.

Rescuers work at a site of residential buildings destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv region, Ukraine, March 9, 2023.
State Emergency Service Of Ukraine via Reuters

Ukraine's parliament and military said at least 81 missiles were fired from several bases. Eight Iranian-made drones were also launched, the military said.

Ukraine destroyed 34 cruise missiles and four drones, military officials said on Facebook.

Rescuers carry a body of a killed person a site of residential buildings destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv region, Ukraine, March 9, 2023.
State Emergency Service Of Ukraine via Reuters

"Russia's threats only encourage partners to provide long-term assistance to Ukraine," said Yehor Chernev, deputy chairman of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence.

Russia "will be sentenced as a terrorist state" for its attacks, Ruslan Stefanchuk, Rada's chairperson, said on Twitter.

Mar 09, 2023, 12:35 AM EST

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant now running on diesel generators, energy minister says

The last line that fed the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has been damaged following missile strikes, and the plant is now working on diesel generators, according to the Ukrainian energy minister, Herman Galushchenko.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Mar 09, 2023, 12:16 AM EST

Emergency power outages nationwide due to missile attacks, provider says

DTEK, the largest private grid operator in Ukraine, said emergency power outages are in effect due to the missile attacks in the Kyiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Dnipro regions.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

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