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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Latest headlines:
- US sanctions Russian military shipbuilding and diamond mining companies
- Fox News' Benjamin Hall provides 1st update since being severely injured in shelling
- Situation in Borodyanka 'much worse' than other Ukrainian towns, Zelenskyy says
- Blinken shares graphic details of alleged atrocities in Ukraine
- UN votes to suspend Russia from Human Rights Council
Blinken says he 'personally' agrees Russia committed war crimes
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Thursday that he "personally" agrees with President Joe Biden that Russia is committing war crimes by intentionally targeting civilians in Ukraine.
Blinken said State Department experts from the Office of Global Criminal Justice are documenting and evaluating evidence for a formal determination and will share those findings with those responsible for accountability.
"There's going to have to be, one way or another, accountability for this war of aggression," Blinken said.
While Ukrainian officials have been engaged in talks with Russian counterparts, Blinken expressed pessimism about the talks, saying the U.S. hasn't seen "any meaningful effort" by Russia to end the war through diplomacy. If anything, Blinken warned, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated in his remarks Wednesday that he's doubling down on military aggression.
-ABC News' Conor Finnegan
23 killed in shelling on school, community center
Twenty-three people were killed and 26 others were wounded from shelling on a school and community center in Merefa, which is near Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, the Kharkiv Region Prosecutor's Office said.
-ABC News' Fidel Pavlenko
Hundreds of bulletproof vests meant for Ukraine stolen in NYC
About 400 bulletproof vests that were set to be sent to aid Ukraine were stolen from the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America's headquarters in Manhattan's East Village, according to the New York City Police Department.
No arrests have been made in the burglary, which took place early Wednesday, police said.
-ABC News' Derricke Dennis
Biden calls Putin's actions 'inhumane' in talk with Irish Taoiseach
During a virtual bilat with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Thursday, President Joe Biden said the world is "united" as Russia's invasion in Ukraine continues.
“We have to be united and we certainly are,” Biden said. “But Putin’s brutality and what he's doing, and his troops are doing in Ukraine, is just inhumane."
The Taoiseach told Biden, “I share with you our horror at the barbaric attack on the civilians,” and said Biden’s leadership through this has been “firm,” “determined" and “strong.”
Biden commended Ireland for taking in Ukrainian refugees, saying it "speaks so loudly about your principles."
-ABC News' Justin Ryan Gomez