Russia-Ukraine updates: 2 US veterans who joined Ukrainian forces missing

The Americans, Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh and Alexander Drueke, are both from Alabama.

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.

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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.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
May 14, 2022, 9:19 AM EDT

Mitch McConnell, US senators visit Kyiv

U.S. senators, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell visited Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in a video posted online Saturday.

“The visit of the U.S. Senate delegation led by the leader of the Republican minority in the upper house of Congress Mitchell McConnell is a strong signal of bipartisan support for Ukraine from the United States Congress and the American people," Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with Mitch McConnell, and other members of Congress, May 14, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
President of Ukraine

Zelenskyy added: "Thank you for your leadership in helping us fight not only for our country, but also for democratic values and freedoms. We really appreciate it.”

-ABC News' Clack Bentson

May 13, 2022, 3:15 PM EDT

Russian soldier accused of killing Ukrainian civilian to go on trial

Russian military commander Vadim Shishimarin, accused of killing a Ukrainian civilian in the Sumy region on Feb. 28, is set to go to trial on May 19, according to Ukraine's prosecutor general Iryna Venediktova.

The 21-year-old soldier allegedly fired his AK-47 at a car driven by a 62-year-old Ukrainian man, killing him at the scene, Venediktova said.

Shishmarin is charged with murder and two counts of robbery.

Prosecutor Andriy Syniuk said Shishmarin has cooperated throughout the investigation.

He is the first member of the Russian military to face charges, Venediktova said.

He could face a life sentence if convicted.

-ABC News' Nadine El-Bawab and Tatiana Rymarenko

May 13, 2022, 1:37 PM EDT

Biden 'underscored support for NATO's Open Door policy' on call with Swedish, Finnish leaders

On a Friday phone call with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, President Joe Biden "underscored his support for NATO’s Open Door policy and for the right of Finland and Sweden to decide their own future, foreign policy, and security arrangements," according to the White House.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday that the U.S. "would support" Finland and Sweden applying to join NATO "should they choose to apply."

Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russian deputy ambassador to the United Nations, told a British news podcast that Finland and Sweden officials "know the moment they become members of the NATO, it will imply certain mirror moves on the Russian side. … If there are NATO detachments in those territories, these territories would become a target -- or a possible target -- for a strike."

On Friday's call, Biden, Andersson and Niinistö "reiterated their shared commitment to continued coordination in support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people affected by the war," according to the White House statement.

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

May 13, 2022, 11:30 AM EDT

Austin speaks to Russian counterpart for 1st time since invasion

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine began, according to a statement from Pentagon press secretary John Kirby.

Austin urged for an immediate ceasefire and "emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication," the statement said.

A man walks past fragments of missiles in front of the shopping and entertainment center in the Ukrainian Black Sea city of Odessa, May 10, 2022.
Oleksandr Gimanov/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News' Matt Seyler

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