Russia-Ukraine updates: 2 US veterans who joined Ukrainian forces missing
The Americans, Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh and Alexander Drueke, are both from Alabama.
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.
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Zelenskyy: 'Russia wants to destroy every city in Donbas'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of continued devastation on par with what has been seen in Mariupol and Volnovakha amid heavy fighting in the eastern part of the country.
"Russia wants to destroy every city in Donbas, 'every' is not an exaggeration," he said in his latest national address.
"This is probably the fastest example of the complete degradation of any state -- the path that the Russian state has covered in 107 days," the president continued.
In recent days, Russian forces have encircled Severodonetsk, the largest city still held by Ukrainian troops in contested Donbas. Zelenskky has said the battle there could determine the fate of eastern Ukraine.
"The Ukrainian troops are doing everything to stop the offensive of the occupiers. As much as possible. As much as the heavy weapons, modern artillery -- all that we have asked and continue to ask our partners for -- allow them to," the president said Friday.
Ukraine's defense chief pleads for more 'heavy weapons'
Up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers are killed and another 500 are injured each day, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov.
Reznikov said in a Facebook post Thursday that Russia has "many more means in store to devour human lives in a bid to satisfy its imperial ego."
"That is why we emphasize: Ukraine desperately needs heavy weapons, and very fast," Reznikov said.
Among the weapons he's requesting are "fighter jets, anti-aircraft and missile defence systems to protect our skies."
-ABC News' Will Gretsky
At least 4.8 million Ukrainian refugees across Europe
At least 4.8 million Ukrainian refugees are now scattered across 44 countries in Europe, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The UNHCR has recorded 7.3 million border crossings from Ukraine and another 2.3 million crossings back into the country.
"Although the security situation in Ukraine remains fragile, crossings back and forth have been recorded," the agency said in a statement. "Some cross to Ukraine to assess the situation, check property, visit family members or help them to leave. Others are going to Western Ukraine and areas around Kyiv and Chernihiv intending to stay. Many who have moved back have found their homes severely damaged and struggled to find jobs -- as the war continues to have a devastating economic impact -- and had no choice but to leave again."
-ABC News' Will Gretsky
Battle in key city to determine fate of eastern Ukraine, Zelenskyy says
The fight for the eastern Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk will determine the fate of the wider Donbas region, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"Severodonetsk remains the epicenter of the confrontation in Donbas. We defend our positions, inflict significant losses on the enemy," Zelenskyy said late Wednesday in his nightly address. "This is a very fierce battle, very difficult. Probably one of the most difficult throughout this war. I am grateful to everyone who defends this direction. In many ways, the fate of our Donbas is being decided there."
After launching an invasion of neighboring Ukraine on Feb. 24, Russian forces failed to take control of the capital, Kyiv, and other major government centers as they faced tough resistance from Ukrainian troops. Russian forces then switched attention to Donbas, which comprises the self-proclaimed republics controlled by Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine's Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts.
Severodonetsk, an industrial hub, is the largest city still held by Ukrainian troops in contested Donbas. In recent days, Russian forces have encircled the city as they advanced in the region, creating a pocket that could trap Ukrainian defenders there and in the neighboring city of Lysychansk.
Severodonetsk and Lysychansk are the last major cities in the Luhansk area still controlled by Ukraine. Last week, the U.K. Ministry of Defense said in an intelligence update that Russian forces had seized most of Severodonetsk, but that the main road into the pocket likely remained under Ukrainian control.
Biden announces additional $1B in military, $225M in humanitarian assistance
President Joe Biden has announced $1 billion more in U.S. military aid for Ukraine.
Biden said he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Wednesday morning and that the aid will include "additional artillery and coastal defense weapons, as well as ammunition for the artillery and advanced rocket systems."
Biden also announced $225 million in humanitarian assistance "to help people inside Ukraine, including by supplying safe drinking water, critical medical supplies and health care, food, shelter, and cash for families to purchase essential items," according to a statement.
-ABC News' Justin Ryan Gomez