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.
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Feb 23, 2022, 9:22 AM EST
US sanctions to be met with 'strong response,' Russia warns
Russia warned Wednesday that the latest sanctions imposed by the United States "will be met with a strong response."
"The round of sanctions announced by the United States Administration [already the 101st in a row] affecting the financial sector with the expansion of the list of persons against whom personal restrictions are imposed is in line with Washington's ongoing attempts to change Russia's course," the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. "There should be no doubt that the sanctions will be met with a strong response, not necessarily symmetrical, but well-grounded and sensitive for the American side."
U.S. President Joe Biden announced Tuesday the latest sanctions, which he said would target two Russian banks, Russia's sovereign debt and, starting Wednesday, the Russian elite and their relatives.
-ABC News' Anastasia Bagaeva
Feb 23, 2022, 9:06 AM EST
Russia marks Defender of the Fatherland Day
Russia marked Defender of the Fatherland Day on Wednesday.
In a video message, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his fellow Russians on the public holiday and noted the importance of ensuring the country's defense capability.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall in Moscow to mark the Defender of the Fatherland Day on Feb. 23, 2022.
Alexey Nikolsky/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images
"Dear comrades, today ensuring the defense capability of our country remains the most important state task, and the armed forces serve as a reliable guarantee of national security, the peaceful and calm life of our citizens, and the stable, progressive development of Russia," Putin said.
The Russian leader was seen taking part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall in Moscow.
-ABC News' Anastasia Bagaeva
Feb 23, 2022, 6:24 AM EST
Ukrainian military begins calling up 36,000 reservists
The military general staff said they will be calling up reservists aged 18 to 60 starting Wednesday.
Ukrainian reservists take part in a tactical training and individual combat skills conducted by the Territorial Defense of the Capital in Kyiv, Ukraine, February 19, 2022.
Antonio Bronic/Reuters
The secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, Oleksiy Danilov, said Wednesday that the number of reservists being called up was 36,000, most of whom he said already have combat experience.
On Tuesday, while signing a decree to call up some of Ukraine's military reservists, Zelenskyy emphasized that it was not yet a full mobilization but just the "active reserve," or troops with combat training.
Zelenskyy said the order was necessary because Ukraine's military now needs to be at "heightened readiness" for any changes in the situation on the ground with Russia.
-ABC News' Patrick Reevell
Feb 23, 2022, 6:17 AM EST
Ukraine to declare nationwide state of emergency
Ukraine's top security official announced Wednesday that a nationwide state of emergency will be declared due to the threat of a Russian invasion.
The declaration must be approved by the Ukrainian parliament before the state of emergency can go into effect for an initial 30 days. The move, which differs from the introduction of martial law, would allow local authorities across the country of 41 million people to put restrictions and heightened security measures in place, such as curfews and limits on movement.
Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said the state of emergency would be a "preventative" measure "so that the country preserves its calm, so that our economy works and our country works." Any restrictions imposed under the declaration would likely vary from region to region, according to Danilov.
Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council addresses the media in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 23, 2022.
Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters
"Depending on situation on the ground in a particular area, the local bodies can impose various measures including curfews, only if needed," Danilov told reporters during a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday. "We won't make people suffer unnecessarily, but we must insure people's safety."
He then gave examples of what those restrictions could be: "It can the reinforcing of security around public order and critical infrastructure facilities. It can be certain limits imposed of the movement of transport. It can mean additional vigilance. It can be the checking of various documents for people."
Danilov noted that the state of emergency would be imposed on all of Ukraine's territory except for the eastern regions of Donetsk and Lugansk because a special emergency status has been in place there since 2014, when pro-Russian separatists took control of some areas.
