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.
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.
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Apr 24, 2022, 4:02 PM EDT
Humanitarian corridors fail to open in Mariupol
The opening of humanitarian corridors for people to escape the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol did not occur as scheduled on Sunday because Russian troops in the area did not confirm a cease-fire, according to Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.
People walk past cars damaged during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine, April 21, 2022.
Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters
Vereshchuk called on the United Nations to step in and provide the escape routes for civilians still trapped in Mariupol by the fighting.
She said the problem over establishing humanitarian corridors out of Mariupol should be raised with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Apr 24, 2022, 1:17 PM EDT
Pope Francis renews calls for Easter truce in Ukraine
Pope Francis renewed calls on Sunday for a cease-fire in Ukraine to allow humanitarian aid to reach the war-torn country's "exhausted population."
The pope told tens of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican that Sunday marked both Orthodox Easter and two months since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began.
Pope Francis celebrates the Divine Mercy mass at St. Peter's basilica in the Vatican on April 24, 2022.
Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images
"Instead of stopping, the war has become harsher," Francis said.
He urged political leaders on both sides of the conflict "to listen to the voice of the people, who do not want an escalation of the conflict."
"I renew an appeal for an Easter truce, the minimum and tangible sign of a willingness for peace. Stop the attacks in order to help the exhausted population. Stop," Francis said.
Even as the pope spoke, Ukrainian officials reported shelling in Ukraine on Sunday as Russian forces pushed forward with a new offensive targeting eastern Ukraine's Donbas region and territory in southern Ukraine. Two children were among those killed in shelling on Sunday, according to Ukrainian officials.
"It is sad that in these days that are the holiest and most solemn for all Christians, the deadly sound of weapons is heard more than the sound of bells that announce the resurrection," Francis said. "And it is sad that weapons are increasingly taking the place of words."
The 85-year-old pontiff did not specifically mention Russia or President Vladimir Putin, but left little doubt which side he was most critical of, using terms such as "unjustified aggression" and lamenting atrocities against civilians.
Putin, a member of the Russian Orthodox Church, has described Moscow's actions as a "special military operation" in Ukraine aimed at demilitarizing and "denazifying" the country. Moscow has denied targeting civilians.
"I ask everyone to pray more for peace and to have the courage to say and demonstrate that peace is possible," the pope said.
-ABC News' Rashid Haddou
Apr 24, 2022, 12:28 PM EDT
Zelenskyy prays for 'new victory in Ukraine' in Orthodox Easter address
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released an Orthodox Easter message Sunday, saying he believes in a "new victory for Ukraine."
In a video of his Easter greetings posted on YouTube, Zelenskyy said he was was speaking from the Cathedral of St. Sophia in Kyiv and cited the church's thousand-year history in which it survived the Kyivan Rus’-Ukraine war against the Pechenegs and withstood Nazi occupation.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers a message via video on Orthodox Easter Sunday from St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, April 24, 2022.
Office of the President of Ukraine via YouTube
"Today, we all believe in a new victory for Ukraine," Zelenskyy said. "And we are all convinced that we will not be destroyed by any horde or evil."
Zelenskyy added, "We are enduring dark times. And on this bright day, most of us are not in bright clothes. But we are fighting for a bright idea."
Reciting a prayer, Zelenskyy asked God to protect Ukrainians and give the nation "strength to fight and win."
"This Easter, we ask God for great grace to make our great dream come true -- a dream of another great day, a day when great peace will come to Ukraine and with it eternal grace and prosperity," Zelenskyy said. "With faith and confidence in this, I wish you all a Happy Easter."
Apr 24, 2022, 11:18 AM EDT
Orthodox Easter services go on amid war
Gathering outside bombed churches, Ukrainians marked Orthodox Easter on Sunday in the capital of Kyiv and throughout the country with prayers for peace and the safety of soldiers fighting on the front lines.
Local residents walk after the Orthodox Easter service next to The Nativity of the Holy Virgin Church damaged by shelling during Russia's invasion in the village of Peremoha, in Kyiv region, Ukraine April 24, 2022.
Vladyslav Musiienko/Reuters
Among those attending an Easter service at at Pyrohoshcha Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Kyiv was Inna Tsarkova, who told ABC News she was praying for the safety of her son, Roman, who she hasn't heard from in 11 days.
"(Easter) is much different because of the war. It’s supposed to be a very cheerful day. But right now we don’t know what the future is for Ukraine," Tsarkova said. "I hope he’s OK, that he will come back. There is no joy for Easter this year. Eleven days is a lot, it’s a lot for me to not talk with my son."
An Orthodox priest Oleksandr conducts the Orthodox Easter service next to The Nativity of the Holy Virgin Church damaged by shelling during Russia's invasion in the village of Peremoha, in Kyiv region, Ukraine April 24, 2022. REUTERS/Vladyslav Musiienko TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Vladyslav Musiienko /Reuters
Elsewhere in Ukraine, worshipers gathered for an Easter service outside The Nativity of the Holy Virgin Church in the Kyiv suburb of Peremoha because the church was heavily damaged by Russian shelling. During the service, an Orthodox priest sprinkled holy water on believers lined up outside the church.
In Krakow, Poland, Ukrainian refugees lined the street outside the Orthodox Church of the Assumption for a Easter Mass.
People who fled the war in Ukraine and members of the Ukrainian diaspora take part in the Easter Sunday mass at the Orthodox church of the Assumption in Krakow, Poland, April 24, 2022. As Krakow is now hosting more than 200,000 displaced Ukrainians, the local Orthodox Church is now struggling to host as many devotees as it can. In partnership with Krakow authorities, screens were installed outside and in the church entrance due to the high numbers of devotees. After the holy mass, a procession and blessing of food baskets the Agape feast was given away to every attendant.
Omar Marques/Getty Images
About 200,000 displaced Ukrainians have sought refuge in Krakow, where the local Orthodox church has been struggling to provide shelter and humanitarian aid to the refugees.
Large TV screens were installed outside the Church of the Assumption so devotees who couldn't fit inside could participate in the service. Following the service, the church held a procession and blessing of food baskets that were given away to those in attendance.
