(NEW YORK) — As Russia continues its nearly 16-month-long invasion of neighboring Ukraine, political turmoil has erupted in Moscow while Kyiv tries to take back territory.
A feud between Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Russian paramilitary organization Wagner Group, and Russia’s top military brass escalated as Prigozhin’s forces left the front line in Ukraine and marched across the border to seize a key Russian city. They then marched north toward Russia’s capital, seemingly unopposed, before turning around just hours later. The short-lived rebellion was described by international observers as the most significant challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s authority in his more than 20 years of rule.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops are in the early stages of a counteroffensive to reclaim the almost one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory that is under Russian control.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Aug 24, 10:04 AM EDT
Ukrainian forces move into occupied Crimea, official says
Ukrainian troops have landed in occupied Crimea, a state defense official said on Thursday.
The landing in territory long held by Russian forces was accomplished without Ukrainian casualties, Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for the Defense Ministry, said on Telegram. Russian forces suffered personnel losses, he said.
Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
-ABC News’ Joe Simonetti
Aug 23, 1:16 PM EDT
Zelenskyy warns of ‘dangerous voices’ in Congress, impact of US election year
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke out against American critics who are pushing for cuts to military support to his country stating there are “dangerous voices” in Congress and in the U.S.
Zelenskyy told reporters Wednesday that his team was in constant contact with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and other U.S. national security officials, stating he was “glad” Ukraine had the backing of the White House, enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress and received “a lot” of support from the American public.
However, Zelenskyy said the coming year will be “very difficult,” referring to the U.S. presidential election, which “will definitely have an impact on support for Ukraine.”
“I think we’re going to have a hard time,” Zelenskyy said.
He said the election results could be positive or negative for Ukraine.
“For our part, we will do everything to ensure that the support of the United States does not decrease…we will give all our time, our energy to constantly work with the USA,” Zelenskyy said. “I expect that our partners in the United States will continue to be our partners and friends.”
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was working on lobbying Biden for longer range missiles.
-ABC News’ Tom Buridge and Natalya Kushnir
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