Russia-Ukraine updates: US sanctions Russian military shipbuilder, diamond miner

Russia's largest military shipbuilding and diamond mining firms were targeted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's "special military operation” into Ukraine began on Feb. 24, with troops crossing the border from Belarus and Russia. Moscow's forces have since been met with “stiff resistance” from Ukrainians, according to U.S. officials.

Russian forces retreated last week from the Kyiv suburbs, leaving behind a trail of destruction. After graphic images emerged of civilians lying dead in the streets of Bucha, U.S. and European officials accused Russian troops of committing war crimes.

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Two Men at War

A look at the two leaders at the center of the war in Ukraine and how they both rose to power, the difference in their leadership and what led to this moment in history.

Mar 26, 2022, 6:13 PM EDT

Biden speaks with Belarusian opposition leader

President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya from Air Force One, the White House said Saturday.

Biden "underscored the continued support of the United States for the Belarusian people in defending and advancing human rights, including freedom of expression, and free and fair elections," the readout of the call stated.

Tsikhanouskaya attended Biden's address in Warsaw on Saturday, according to the readout.

Belarus has served as a staging area for Russian attacks on Ukraine during the war. Its president, Alexander Lukashenko, is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

-ABC News' Armando Garcia

Mar 26, 2022, 4:03 PM EDT

Blinken announces $100 million in 'civilian security' aid to Ukraine

The U.S. will be providing Ukraine with $100 million in "civilian security" assistance, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Saturday, hours after he and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with their Ukrainian counterparts.

The aid will provide equipment including armored vehicles, medical supplies, personal protective equipment and communications equipment, according to the Department of State.

The aid will go to Ukraine’s border guard, law enforcement and government infrastructure protection, Blinken said in a statement.

"With the U.S. government’s vital assistance, Ukrainian law enforcement officers are playing a key role in rescuing victims of the Russian government’s brutal assault, leading and protecting convoys of those displaced by attacks, and providing security to civilian areas torn apart by ruthless and devastating bombing," Blinken continued in the statement.

-ABC News' Conor Finnegan

Mar 26, 2022, 3:39 PM EDT

Missile strikes hit oil depot, defense facility, Lviv officials confirm

Two Russian missile strikes in Lviv hit an oil depot and a defense facility, Maksym Kozytskyi, Lviv's regional governor, confirmed in a press briefing Saturday.

Kozytskyi confirmed five people were injured at the site of the first strike and said firefighters are still putting out fires at the facility.

Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi told reporters a school near the oil depot was damaged in the strike.

Both officials asked the media not to film the sites of the strikes.

-ABC News' Jason Volack

Mar 26, 2022, 3:17 PM EDT

Biden tells Ukrainian people: 'We stand with you' in Warsaw address

President Joe Biden told the Ukrainian people, "We stand with you" in an address he gave at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday.

"We’ll not cease the efforts to get humanitarian relief wherever it is needed in Ukraine and for the people who’ve made it out of Ukraine. Notwithstanding the brutality of Vladimir Putin, let there be no doubt that this war [has] already been a strategic failure for Russia," Biden said.

President Joe Biden speaks during an event at the Royal Castle, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Warsaw, Poland, on March 26, 2022.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

"Putin thought Ukrainians would roll over and not fight, not much of a student of history," Biden said.

Biden also addressed the Russian people, telling them: "You, the Russian people, are not our enemy."

"The American people stand with you and the brave people of Ukraine for peace," Biden said.

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