Sunday marks two months since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. Russian forces have apparently given up trying to seize the capital, Kyiv, at least for now. But they are intensifying attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed victory in the eastern port city of Mariupol, saying it has been "liberated."

A senior Russian commander says that the second phase of the military operation has just begun. Russian personnel are moving, apparently in preparation for massive attacks.

The Russian defense ministry says its missile strike on a military airstrip outside the southern city of Odesa destroyed weapons provided by Western nations.
The mayor of Odesa said on social media that the death toll from the missile attack had risen to at least eight, including a 3-month-old girl.

Ukraine appears ready to put up fierce resistance in the east and south, drawing on military assistance from the United States and European countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Sunday in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy says the meetings are very important and he expects the discussions will cover the list of weapons Ukraine needs and when.
Zelenskyy also stresses that he is prepared to continue negotiations with Russians.

He said he wants to end the conflict that would cause more casualties and that no leader should close the path to a diplomatic solution.