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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Ukraine's 'rightful place' is in NATO: Secretary-General

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg held a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, to highlight the more than €150 billion of support to Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion.

"Allies are now delivering more jets, tanks, and armored vehicles, and NATO's Ukraine fund is providing urgent support," he said in a statement. "All of this is making a real difference on the battlefield today."

While in Ukraine, the secretary-general visited Bucha and paid his respects to the victims of Russian atrocities.

He also laid a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine, paying tribute to all those who have lost lives or suffered wounds in defense of their homeland.

"Ukraine’s rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family. Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO. And over time, our support will help to make this possible," Stoltenberg said.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky


Putin fires commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet

Just a week after the Pacific Fleet was ordered to stage surprise combat drills, Russian President Vladimir Putin fired the commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet, Sergei Avakyants.

Earlier, Putin praised the Pacific Fleet maneuvers and said that the Navy could be used "for the resolution of conflicts anywhere."

"He turned 65 on April 6. He is still on the Russian Defense Ministry's staff. With the consent of the Russian Defense Ministry, he will head a central body overseeing military sports and patriotic education centers, created on the orders of the [president]," the press service said.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky


Russian athletes will not be accepted in 2024 Olympics if war goes on: Paris mayor

Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, which is hosting the 2024 summer Olympics, told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Russian athletes "cannot be accepted in Paris," if the war with Ukraine is still ongoing when the games begin.

"Paris is the capital of human rights," Hidalgo said in a statement. "We are trying to convince athletes, international federations and countries. We stand with you."

Hidalgo and Vasco Cordeiro, the president of the European Committee of the Regions, met with Zelenskyy as part of the International Summit of Cities and Regions Thursday.

Zelenskyy thanked Hidalgo for her support and presented her with Ukraine's "Rescuer City" honorary award.

-ABC News' Max Uzol and Ellie Kaufman contributed to this report.


Russia reportedly fires nearly 80 missiles at Kherson in 24 hours

Russia has fired nearly 80 missiles at Kherson in 24 hours amid ongoing shelling, a local official said.

"For the previous day, we have recorded 79 shellings throughout our territory," First Deputy Chairman of the Kherson Regional Council Yuriy Sobolevskyi said on Telegram earlier Wednesday. "About 300 rounds of ammunition were used by the enemy."

At least two people have sought medical attention due to shelling injuries, according to Sobolevskyi, who noted that the "shelling continues."

-ABC News' Will Gretsky


Ukraine says it was not involved in Nord Stream Pipeline bombings

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov denied Ukraine was involved in the bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline, which carries natural gas from Russia to Germany. While the pipeline was not active at the time of the bombing last September, it was filled with fuel.

The denial comes after The New York Times reported that intelligence reviewed by U.S. officials suggests a pro-Ukrainian group carried out the Nord Stream bombings last year.

After the story broke, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned against “jumping to conclusions” about who carried out the explosion, suggesting it could have been a “false flag” operation to blame Ukraine.

German authorities were reportedly able to identify the boat used for the sabotage operation, saying a group of five men and one woman using forged passports rented a yacht from a Poland-based company owned by Ukrainian citizens. The nationalities of the perpetrators are unclear, according to a separate report by Germany’s ARD broadcaster and Zeit newspaper.

“We have to make a clear distinction whether it was a Ukrainian group, whether it may have happened at Ukrainian orders, or a pro-Ukrainian group [acting] without knowledge of the government. But I am warning against jumping to conclusions,” Pistorius said on the sidelines of a summit in Stockholm.

A Russian diplomat said Russia has no faith in the U.S.‘s “impartiality” in the conclusions made from intelligence.

-ABC News’ Ellie Kaufman