Russia-Ukraine updates: Russian missiles hit close to nuclear reactors: IAEA director
Shelling is ongoing near the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
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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Latest headlines:
- Russian missiles hit close to nuclear reactors: IAEA director
- IAEA hopes to go to Zaporizhzhia plant 'hopefully in the next few days'
- Zaporizhzhia '1 step away' from emergency radiation: Ukraine nuclear agency head
- All reactors at power plant shut down for 1st time in history
- Biden, Zelenskyy discuss weapons assistance, nuclear plant during phone call
Videos circulating online show smoke over Sevastopol
Videos circulating online show smoke rising over Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea and a major port on the Black Sea.
The city's Russian-appointed governor said a drone was struck down and fell through the roof of Russia's Black Sea Fleet Headquarters. Ukraine has not commented on the strike.
-ABC News' Layla Ferris
US to offer new $775M aid package to Ukraine
The U.S. has authorized a new $775 million military aid package for Ukraine, the Department of Defense announced on Friday.
The package will include more High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) ammunition and howitzers, as well as some firsts, including ScanEagle reconnaissance drones and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.
The 15 ScanEagle drones are intended to help Ukraine identify targets and put the HIMARS and howitzers to better use, according to a senior U.S. defense official.
The 40 MRAP vehicles and other mine-clearing equipment will help Ukrainian troops cross dangerous terrain, according to the official.
"We know that Russia has heavily mined areas in parts of southern and eastern Ukraine. We know there's a significant amount of unexploded ordinance," the official said.
The new aid package follows a $1 billion package announced on Aug. 8.
-ABC News' Matthew Seyler
Nord Stream pipeline to temporarily shut down for maintenance
A major pipeline that supplies natural gas from Russia to Europe will be shut down for three days for maintenance, Russian energy corporation Gazprom said Friday.
Gas supplies via the Nord Stream pipeline will be suspended from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 for "servicing and preventive maintenance" of its only operative gas compressor unit, Gazprom said.
Gas transmission is scheduled to resume after that period, barring any malfunctions, at a below-capacity rate of 33 million cubic meters per day, the company said.
The flow of gas via the pipeline has been reduced, and both Nord Stream pipelines were shut down for 10 days last month for maintenance, as Europe faces an energy crisis.
Russia reportedly tells Zaporizhzhia plant workers not to go to work Friday
Russia has reportedly told some workers at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant not to go to work on Friday, according to Ukrainian officials.
In an official Telegram channel, the main director of Ukraine's military intelligence said Thursday, "Occupiers announced an unexpected day off on August 19. At the nuclear plant there will only be operational staff. All other employees will be denied entry."
The official added that representatives of the Russian nuclear agency Rosatom also have "temporarily left the territory of the plant."
This comes as both Ukraine and Russia have warned of a provocation being planned at the plant Friday.
-ABC News' Britt Clennett