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, 5:08 PM EDT
More than 2.9M people have fled Ukraine to Poland
More than 2.9 million people have fled Ukraine and sought refuge in Poland since the Russian invasion began in February, the Polish Border Guard said on Sunday.
People cross from Ukraine into Poland at the border crossing between Shehyni and Medyka as they flee from the Russian invasion on April 3, 2022.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
In recent days, however, the number of people crossing the border into Poland has fallen, while the number of refugees going back into Ukraine has risen, according to the border guard.
On Saturday, about 21,100 people entered Ukraine from Poland, while 15,100 fled to Poland from Ukraine, the agency said on Twitter.
Apr 24, 2022, 4:42 PM EDT
Ukrainian losses from war top $1 trillion: Economic advisor
Ukraine's losses, including destroyed homes and massive damage to the country's infrastructure, has topped $1 trillion since Russian forces invaded the country two months ago, according to Ukraine's top economic advisor.
Oleg Ustenko, economic adviser the Ukrainian president, announced the country's staggering losses in a televised address on Sunday.
A man walks downstairs outside a residential building damaged during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine, April 21, 2022.
Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters
"This is what was destroyed by the Russian invaders in our assets. It is clear that this figure literally increased every day ... the aggressor destroyed our infrastructure, destroyed the homes of our citizens, destroyed everything that could be destroyed by their own and air strikes, and simply by dropping bombs and everything they did," Ustenko said.
Ustenko said additional losses have come as a result of Ukraine's declining gross domestic product.
"It is this figure that we must focus on," Ustenko said. "It is this figure that should be compensated by the Russian Federation immediately after our victory."
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.
