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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Latest headlines:
Zelenskyy marks 100th day of war: 'The people of our state are here'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the 100th day of the war by posting a video of himself outside his office in Kyiv with his defense minister, prime minister and parliamentary leader.
"Our team is much bigger. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are here. The most important thing is our people, the people of our state are here," Zelenskyy said. "We have been defending Ukraine for 100 days. Victory will be ours."
The video was notably shot in the same location with the same people as one posted after the first day of the Russian invasion, on the evening of Feb. 25. "We are here," Zelenskyy said in that video.
-ABC News' Kerem Inal and Max Uzol
IAEA concludes mission to Chornobyl nuclear power plant
The International Atomic Energy Agency said Friday that it has concluded its mission at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine. The IAEA team worked with their Ukrainian counterparts on radiation protection, safety of waste management and security.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi is now continuing efforts to organize an IAEA mission to Ukraine's largest Nuclear Power Plant, Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhya, to carry out nuclear safety, security and safeguards activities at the site.
-ABC News' Alexandra Faul
EU issues latest package of sanctions
The European Union announced a new package of sanctions targeting Russia on Friday. The EU is banning all sea transfers of crude oil from Russia after a six-month transitory period, to allow for the market to adjust.
The EU will also ban imports (sea transfers) of refined petroleum products from Russia, after an eight-month transitory period.
The EU also added 65 new individuals to its sanctions list, including retired Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva. She became chair of the board of the National Media Group and previously sat as a deputy in Russia's State Duma.
Kabaeva was sanctioned by the U.K. on May 13, which said she is alleged to have a close personal relationship with Putin, but has not been sanctioned by the U.S.
-ABC News' Christine Theodorou
Marriott suspends all operations in Russia
Marriott International announced Friday that it will suspend all its operations in Russia, after operating there for 25 years, due to the conflict in Ukraine.
It said the suspension comes as newly announced U.S., U.K. and EU restrictions will make it impossible for it to operate or franchise hotels in Russia.
Marriott closed its corporate office in Moscow and all upcoming hotels and future developments and investments were paused on March 10.
The company also announced it has given $1 million in disaster relief funds for associates and their families who have been directly affected by the war. Lodging is being offered to refugees from Ukraine at 85 hotels in neighboring countries.
-ABC News' Alexandra Faul
Ukrainian casualties mounting
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has already engaged around 330,000 Russian personnel, Brigadier General Oleksiy Hromo of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces told local media on Thursday.
“[Russian] groups at various axes are close to 150,000 strong. If we add their air and sea components, there are about 220,000 military personnel,” Hromo said. Russia also deployed “units of the national army combat reserve, the federal service of guard forces, and mobilization units,” the Brigadier General added.
Hromo's sobering account came on the back of claims made by a top Ukrainian official earlier on Wednesday that revealed mounting Ukrainian casualties. Up to 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers are being killed or wounded each day in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, with 200 to 500 killed on average and many more wounded, said David Arakhamia, who heads the presidential faction in the Ukrainian parliament.
In early June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said daily fatalities among Ukrainian ranks at the Donbas front were between 60 to 100 troops.
Arakhamia, one of Zelenskyy's closest advisers who oversees Ukraine's stalled negotiations with Russia, has been leading a Ukrainian delegation in Washington this week in a bid to lobby the Biden administration and Congress.
Arakhamia's team want to see the pace of weapons shipments increased and is pushing for a designation of Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
-ABC News' Edward Szekeres, Yuriy Zaliznyak, Yulia Drozd and Max Uzol