Russia-Ukraine updates: US to ban Russian carriers from its airspace

PHOTO: Ambassadors and diplomats leave the room while Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov addresses with a pre-recorded video message the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, March 1, 2022.

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Salvatore Di Nolfi/AP

What you need to know about the Russia-Ukraine conflict

Russian forces are continuing their attempted push through Ukraine from multiple directions, while Ukrainians, led by President Volodymr Zelenskyy, are putting up "stiff resistance," according to U.S. officials.

The attack began Feb. 24 as Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation."

Russians moving from Belarus towards Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, don't appear to have advanced closer towards the city since coming within about 20 miles, although smaller advanced groups have been fighting gun battles with Ukrainian forces inside the capital since at least Friday.

Russia has been met by sanctions from the U.S., Canada and countries throughout Europe, targeting Russia's economy and Putin himself.

Feb 19, 2022 11:09 AM

Ukraine's foreign minister to meet Blinken in Washington

Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, is expected to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on Tuesday, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said.

Kuleba is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly in New York the following day.

-ABC News' Julia Drozd

Feb 19, 2022 8:53 AM

Russia-backed separatists declare 'general mobilization'

A leader of the Russian-controlled separatists in eastern Ukraine declared a "general mobilization" on Saturday, according to Russian state news agencies.

The head of the separatists' self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, made the announcement.

Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters

Denis Pushilin, head of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, attends a news conference in Donetsk, Ukraine Feb. 11, 2022.

Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters

Pushilin's comments come after the separatists yesterday announced mass evacuations and warned of an imminent Ukrainian "offensive" amid fears Russia is moving to stage a pretext to attack Ukraine, cloaking it as aid to the separatists.

-ABC News' Patrick Reevell

Feb 19, 2022 1:04 AM

40 to 50% of Russian troops in attack position: US official

About 40 to 50% of Russia’s troops are in “attack positions” near the border with Ukraine, a U.S. official told ABC News.

There are about 150,000 troops on the border area, including 125 battalion tactical groups, or BTGs, the official said.

These BTGs number between 750 and 1,000 personnel each and are specifically outfitted as combat forces. The forces include every capability needed to conduct a combat operation, according to the official.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Feb 19, 2022 12:29 AM

'I don't believe it's a bluff,' Defense Secretary Austin says

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told ABC "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz that Russian President Vladimir Putin has a number of options available to him and could attack Ukraine in short order.

"This is not a bluff," he said in the exclusive interview.

MORE: 'I don't believe it's a bluff,' Defense Secretary Austin says of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine

"I think he's assembled the right kinds of things that you would need to conduct a successful invasion," Austin added.

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More from the interview will air on a special edition of "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" on Sunday.

Raddatz's full interview with Austin airs Sunday on a special edition of "This Week" from Lviv, Ukraine.

Feb 27, 2022 3:22 AM

Protesters gather across the US to support Ukraine

Protests were held across the United States on Saturday as demonstrators called for Russian to cease its invasion of Ukraine.

Times Square in New York City was clogged with light blue and yellow, while Ukrainian supporters also rallied in Washington, Los Angeles and several other major cities Saturday.

New York City

Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

Demonstrators embrace during a rally in support of Ukraine in Times Square, New York, on Feb. 26, 2022.

Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

Demonstrators gather in support of Ukraine during a rally in Times Square, New York, on Feb. 26, 2022.

Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

Washington, D.C.

PHOTO: People participate in a pro-Ukrainian demonstration in front of the White House to protest the Russian Invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 26, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

Samuel Corum/Getty Images

People participate in a pro-Ukrainian demonstration in front of the White House to protest the Russian Invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 26, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

Samuel Corum/Getty Images

PHOTO: A boy holds a Ukrainian flag as pro Ukrainian demonstrators gather in front of the White House to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 26, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

Samuel Corum/Getty Images

A boy holds a Ukrainian flag as pro Ukrainian demonstrators gather in front of the White House to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 26, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Los Angeles

Richard Vogel/AP

A Ukrainian protester holds a sign during a demonstration against the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Los Angeles, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Ukrainians in the United States are praying for friends and family, donating money and supplies, and attending demonstrations.

Richard Vogel/AP

Denver

PHOTO: Vadim Kayrevich, a native of the Odessa region of the Ukraine, holds a placard during a protest against the invasion of Ukraine Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, outside the State Capitol in Denver.

David Zalubowski/AP

Vadim Kayrevich, a native of the Odessa region of the Ukraine, holds a placard during a protest against the invasion of Ukraine Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, outside the State Capitol in Denver.

David Zalubowski/AP

Seattle

Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images

Vadym Dragan of Seattle, originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, holds a Ukrainian flag at the foot of the Space Needle during a "Rally Against the War With Ukraine" event in Seattle, Washington on Feb. 26, 2022.

Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images