Russian commanders have found victories in Ukraine have not come easy. On Tuesday, they marked three months since they invaded. They've killed thousands of civilians. But military success has eluded them.

Russian troops want to control the eastern areas of Donetsk and Luhansk. So, they've been trying to surround Ukrainian forces.

The Russians have launched a series of assaults on Sievierdonetsk, one of the last cities in the region under Ukrainian control. But, once again, they're facing determined resistance.

Russian troops had already claimed victory in the southeastern city of Mariupol. They released video of units working to find and explode mines from around the steel plant that served as the Ukrainians' stronghold.

The Russians have also cut off access to the Black Sea further west. Those in the Kherson region claim to be "guarding" a power plant. And pro-Russian authorities have introduced the ruble as an official currency.

A trial that drew international attention to allegations of war crimes has drawn to a close. A Ukrainian court found a Russian soldier shot and killed a civilian in the early days of the war.

Vadim Shishimarin is 21 years old. The court sentenced him to life in prison.

Ukrainian prosecutors said they're looking into allegations of 13,000 war crimes.