you can see our james longman there. what russia is saying about the two american veterans captured in ukraine. james longman inside ukraine again tonight. >> reporter: tonight, ukrainian officials say russian forces have taken control of all but a single chemical plant in the key city of severodonetsk as the battle rages for eastern ukraine. and it's u.s. firepower that's keeping them in the fight here in the donbas. the power of that gun is just unreal. it sucks the air out of you as it goes out. now, this is an active combat zone. they are finding russian targets. within minutes, we're moving. in an artillery war, once you fire, you've gotta move. and the beauty of this particular gun is that it is lighter than anything the ukrainian's have got, so it can be moved out of position before the russians reply. these are the m-777 howitzers supplied by the united states, now deployed in ukraine's east. they fire further, are more accurate, and are giving ukraine a fighting chance. this commander was trained by u.s. forces

james longman leading us off from ukraine again tonight. james, thank you. >>> back home to the severe storms expected across several states in the east. thousands of flights canceled in the last 48 hours because of weather. the southeast in the bull's-eye again tonight. 30 mlg 30 million americans on alert. a high water rescue from a flooded suv in columbia, south carolina. >>> and the images from boston tonight. planes waiting for gates upon arrival. more than 200 flights delayed or canceled at logan airport alone. now the dangerous heat wave building yet again, a second one already. rob marciano tracking it all for us. hey, rob. >> reporter: hi, david. as we've seen all we can, that dangerous heat is feeding some of these tomorrows.d in d.c osng the rolinas, watch up geor. theto goingeyl meownr t nt it's kind of four's day tlk, relief east of the mississippi. 98 degrees expect in the dallas. 101 in north plat. here we go again. chicago, atlanta, raleigh, temperatures close to or over 100 degrees for another dangerous heat wave coming. da

>> james longman in ukraine again for us tonight. thank you, james. >>> in the meantime, we're going to turn to the daring u.s. raid in syria that ended with the capture of a top isis leader. the u.s. says that leader had planned attacks on american forces before. mary bruce with new details tonight on the daring operation that captured him alive. >> reporter: the raid by u.s. special forces launched under the cover of night into rebel-held northwest syria. reportedly landing in this village, capturing an isis leader the u.s. says is responsible for coordinating attacks on american forces. hani ahmed al kurd, an experienced bomb maker. there were no u.s. injuries and no damage to any military aircraft. it's the latest daring mission in the same region where isis leader al baghdadi and his successor blew themselves up after being cornered by u.s. troops. isis was territorially defeated in syria in 2019, but in january, hundreds of fighters escaped during a brazen prison break in the northeast. now, because he was captured alive, he is

>> james longman in ukraine tonight. james, thank you. >>> and in moscow, a preliminary hearing for wnba basketball star brit tany brynner. our producer saying she was led away in handcuffs. >> how do you feel? was everything okay? >> you can see her shaking her head there. her detention extended to december 20th now. she faces ten years in prison if convicted. >>> and here at home tonight, and from capitol hill at this hour, news of an unexpected hearing now scheduled for tomorrow, another january 6th hearing, new evidence and a key witness. meantime, john eastman, a lawyer at the center of the investigation claiming in a new lawsuit that the justice department served a warrant on him while he was leaving a restaurant last week and that federal agents seized his phone. tonight, more on that house committee, a new hearing tomorrow. we will carry it live right here on abc, 1:00 p.m. eastern, i'll be here with the entire political team tomorrow. >>> when we come back here tonight, hundreds of flights canceled for a third d

james longman leading us off from ukraine again tonight. james, thank you. >>> back here at home and to the severe storms expected across several states in the east. thousands of flights canceled in the past 48 hours because of weather. the southeast in the bull's-eye again tonight. more than 30 million americans on alert. high winds and heavy rain in raleigh, north carolina in the last 24 hours already. a high water rescue from a flooded suv in columbia, south carolina. and the images from boston tonight. planes waiting for gates upon arrival. more than 200 flights canceled or delayed at logan airport alone, the ripple effect here. and now the dangerous heat wave building yet again, a second one already. senior meteorologist rob marciano tracking it all for us. hey, rob. >> reporter: hi, david. as we've seen all week, that dangerous heat is feeding some of these storms. it hit 98 degrees, breaks a record in d.c. we had golf ball-sized hail in parts of tennessee. winds gusting over 60 miles per hour in kentucky. looks where the line is now

>> all right, james longman, with us from ukraine again tonight. thank you, james. >>> and when we come back here, the dangerous heat wave from dallas to chicago. and in the east, severe storms set to move in, so rob standing by to take us through this. covid-19 moves fast, and now you can too by asking your healthcare provider if an oral treatment is right for you. oral treatments can be taken at home and must be taken within 5 days from when symptoms first appear. if you have symptoms of covid-19, even if they're mild don't wait, get tested quickly. if you test positive and are at high risk for severe disease, act fast ask if an oral treatment is right for you. covid-19 moves fast and now you can too. ♪♪ what do we want delivered every month? clumping litter? salmon pate? love that for me. just choose the frequency and ship it! i feel so accomplished. now you can pet me. get fast free shipping for all your pets' needs. chewy. bother the bugs... gotcha. ...not your family. zevo is made with essential oils which attack bugs' biological systems.

>> james longman tonight. james, thank you. >>> and the situation tonight only worsening in afghanistan after that powerful earthquake overnight, leveling villages in the mountains near pakistan. the 5.9 magnitude quake killing 1,000 people, and tonight, authorities say that number will likely grow far higher. here's abc's maggie rulli now. >> reporter: tonight, a frantic search for survivors after the powerful quake that rocked southeastern afghanistan. at least a thousand people have been killed and more than 1,500 injured. helicopters flying rescue missions to the hardest-hit areas. communication with the disaster zones said to be poor or nonexistent, with cell towers knocked out. the quake struck about 1:30 in the morning when people were sleeping. many victims happened in their homes built of mud, particularly vulnerable to collapse after heavy monsoon rains. >> we're deeply concerned that there are still people underneath the rubble that haven't been rescued yet. >> reporter: afghanistan has been facing

>> our foreign correspondent james longman back in ukraine for us. james, thank you. >>> in the meantime, back here at home tonight, and to the new and chilling details after authorities say a retired wisconsin judge was targeted and killed. abc news has now learned the alleged gunman had once appeare. and authorities now say the suspect had a hit list in his car, including several other public figures. here's abc's alex perez tonight. >> reporter: tonight, we're learning more about the link between a retired wisconsin judge and his alleged killer. >> this is such a horrific crime. this is a targeted attack on a public official, a judge. >> reporter: the state's attorney general saying the man suspected of killing judge john roemer in his home early friday morning targeted multiple people, including the judge. >> this act appears to have been related to the judicial process. >> reporter: an abc news review of wisconsin court records found in 2005, 56-year-old douglas uhde pleaded no contest to armed burglary. judge roemer sentenced him to six years i

our foreign correspondent james longman in ukraine again tonight. >> reporter: tonight, the u.s. state department confirming 52-year-old stephen zabielski is the second american to be killed fighting in ukraine, reportedly dying a little over a month ago. the first american to be killed in combat there was 22-year-old u.s. marine veteran willy cancel, who died in april. it comes as kremlin spokesman dmitry peskov today refused to rule out that two captured americans could face the death penalty. the white house quick to respond. >> it's appalling that a public official in russia would even suggest the death penalty for two american citizens that that were in ukraine. >> reporter: alexander drueke and andy huynh, both of alabama, are reportedly being held in the donetsk region of eastern ukraine. also tonight, david, u.s. attorney general merrick garland was in ukraine today pledging u.s. help to investigate and prosecute those responsible for rl alleged war crimes and other atrocities in this war. david? >> all right, james longman, thank you. >>> and when we come back here, the

the state department now responding and james longman with late reporting from ukraine tonight. >>> the new images coming in of the historic flooding and now the damage at yellowstone national park. 10,000 people forced to evacuate. cars narrowly escaping rising waters. >>> and just in tonight, a confirmed tornado touching down in wisconsin. at this hour, the tornado watches and warnings in effect across several states. and of course, the record-breaking heat. nearly 130 million americans on alert tonight for potentially life-threatening heat. rob marciano standing by tracking it all. >>> news on covid tonight and the youngest of children. tonight, an fda panel now giving the green light for both the pfizer and moderna covid vaccines for children under 5. as young at 6 months. how they work, how many shots. and this could begin within days. and the other headline tonight, dr. anthony fauci testing positive, now on paxlovid. we do have news on his simympto tonight. >>> tomorrow brings the third january 6th hearing in front of the american people. the pressure on mike pence. tonight, abc

james longman in london. >>> and here at home tonight, something that happened last night. we've never seen before. who is our person of the week? >>> good evening, and it's great to have you with us here as we near the end of another week together. we begin tonight with this tropical storm warnings. they are up at this hour. the system bearing down on florida, gaining strength tonight on just the third day of this new hurricane season. take a look -- tropical storm warnings in effect now from key west to miami to melbourne, ft. myers. millions in florida bracing for dangerous winds and up to a foot of rain. wind gusts more than 50 miles an hour expected. expected to become tropical storm alex. the first of the season. bands already reaching key west. let's goat rob marciano live in naples where the rain is coming down. hey, rob. >> reporter: hi, david them thing may not be a hurricane, but it's been pouring owl day long here in napeles and much of southwest florida. it's still over 300 miles from this spot. take a look at the radar. we'll show you the heavier rain. key wes

>> all right, james longman in ukraine again tonight. james, thank you. >>> back here at home tonight, and to the growing horror in the deadliest human smuggling case in u.s. history. the death toll growing. and tonight, what mexican authorities are now saying about the suspected driver, now in custody. here's our chief national correspondent matt gutman in san antonio. >> reporter: the death toll from that migrant smuggling horror continues to rise tonight, up to 53. over 60 men, women, and children in that trailer, where temperatures likely topped 150 degrees. organ failure begins at 109 degrees. the truck was removed from this isolated road, but what's left here is the debris from that first aid operation, the effort to try to revive those who were in that truck. and, of course, some of the victims' clothes, as well. and authorities say the driver is in custody, and tonight, mexican officials releasing this picture they say shows the driver behind the wheel of that semitruck, alleging he tried to mix in with the survivors when authori

abc's james longman in ukraine tonight. >> reporter: tonight, britain joining the u.s. in sending new medium-range weapons systems to ukraine. vladimir putin warning that if even longer-range missiles are shipped from the west, moscow will retaliate by hitting targets, quote, that we have not yet struck. kyiv targeted just hours after that threat was broadcast, the first strike on the capital in weeks. and ukraine claiming a significant shift in the east, saying they've mounted a successful counterattack near severodonetsk. russia pushed to the eastern outskirts of the city, but the battle is raging. the fight here is so fierce because it's the last major city not under russian occupation in this part of the donbas, and so strategically important for ukraine that president zelenskyy made a risky visit to front line troops there to thank them for their service and sacrifice. the u.s., david, is intensifying its efforts to punish vladimir putin and his supporters. u.s. prosecutors are now moving to seize two planes thought to belong to powerful russian of hi jar roman abr

>> all right rngs james longman. james, thank you. >>> when we come back, tracking these severe storms at home. 100 million americans on alert for extreme heat. >>> and remembering a beloved actor. catching my train... making moves... mangction. n connection.g moves... that's how you du more with dupixent, which helps prevent asthma attacks. dupixent is not for sudden breathing problems. it's an add-on-treatment for specific tesevere asa that can improve lung function for better breathing in as little as two weeks. and can reduce, or even eliminate, oral steroids. and here's something important. dupixent can cause allergic reactions that can be severe. get help right away if you have rash, chest pain, worsening shortness of breath, tingling or numbness in your limbs. tell your doctor about new or worsening joint aches and pain, or a parasitic infection. don't change or stop asthma medicines, including steroids, without talking to your doctor. are you ready to du more with less asthma? just ask your asthma specialist

our james longman near the eastern front tonight with the ukrainian fighters not giving up. james reporting tonight from eastern ukraine. >> reporter: tonight, the city of severodonetsk all but cut off. satellite images show the last of the bridges to ukrainian-controlled territory smashed by russian shelling. up to 80% of the city is in russian hands, but this video online shows pockets of ukrainian fighters still holding on. civilians desperate to leave all over the east, as russian shells rain down indiscriminately. if severodonetsk falls, putin will have secured a major symbolic victory and would be closer to his goal of occupying the entire donbas of eastern ukraine. we are within the range of the russians here? >> definitely. >> reporter: we went close to the eastern front line today. this soldier wants to show me how close the bombs are landing. so, this is how close they've gotten to your position here? this is where bombs have landed. there's more. and presumably the russians know that there are ukrainian soldiers in these farmhouses? i think we should leave. becaus

james longman was there among the crowd watching it all. tell us what it's been like for you this morning, james. >> reporter: amy, it's been extraordinary. you know, it made me so proud to be british more than anything else. after all the sadness the last couple of years because of covid, the union jacks are flying and the opportunity to celebrate service as you said and today people have been able to connect with military service men and women. here's jim, a veteran. how good to meet you. you are famous. what has it meant to be here? >> it's been fantastic and seen the whole trooping the colour, the crowds have been just wonderful. we must have had our photograph taken about -- >> all these people are lining up wanting to take your pictures. pull the cameras out. [ cheers ] desperate for a photograph of you and you've got a special thing to show us. one of the new medals. >> this is the platinum jubilee medal which has been awarded to all those with five years service in the military and in emergency services -- police, fire brigades, amb

james longman was given exclusive access to the front lines. >> the power of that gun is just unreal, it sucks the air out of they are finding russian targets. >> despite the fighting life goes on, in a show of resilience the opera has returned to the battered port city of odesa. >>> now to the crush of travelers across the country. scenes like this played out at many airports. more than 18,000 flights were cancelled or delayed over th holiday weekend, with demand soaring to near pre-pademic level, the u.s. is not alone, this sea of luggage piled up at london's heathrow airport after the baggage system malfunction. abc's faith abubey. >> reporter: the airlines are blaming high demand, severe weather and staffing issues as these frustrations grow. this morning, more flights grounded across the u.s., but so far an improvement from a weekend of travel troubles. spending father's day and juneteenth stuck at airports from new york city to salt lake city. >> it's frustrating. makes me feel powerless. stuck in an airport. basically for two days. >> reporter: the airline woes forcing some tra

james longman inside ukraine with reporting tonight. >>> also as we come on the air, the severe storms hitting tonight across several states in the east. what about father's day? we have that, and now another

the state department now responding and james longman with late reporting from ukraine

a soldier showed abc's james longman how close they came to his location. >> so this is how close they got to your position here. >> yes. >> this is where bombs have landed. right close to where they're staying here, and presumably the russians know that there are ukrainian soldiers in these farm houses. i think we should leave. it sounds like it's getting more frequent. >> ukrainian president volodymyr zelenskyy sys aid from the west needs to come faster. >>> today an fda panel will discuss whether to green-light covid vaccines for the youngest children. advisers are expected to vote on allowing shots for kids as young as 6 months. if approved, the fda could authorize the shots within days. >>> in wisconsin, this burning wreck was the result of a head-on collision in milwaukee. two tractor trailers slammed into each other after one truck crossed the center line. both truck drivers were killed. >>> time now for a look at your wednesday weather. >>> we are expecting severe storms in two areas of the country today. parts of iowa, minnesota and wisconsin could see tornadoes along with the

abc's james longman is there. >> reporter: just look at the level of damage here. the air is thick with smoke, and it's acrid. it burns when you breathe. emergency services all around, they're going to spend all night looking for bodies in the rubble here. >> it's estimated 1,000 people were inside that mall. a local official called the bombing, a crime against humanity. >>> and wnba star brittney griner's drug possession trial is said to begin friday in russia. she was seen in handcuffs at a hearing yesterday. her detention has been extended through at least december. she's been held in russia for four months. >>> time now for a look at your tuesday weather. dramatic video from europe of a rare tornado that killed one person and injured nine others in the netherlands. it's the first deadly tornado in that region in 30 years. here in the u.s., heavy rain is expected across the southeast today and showers in the upper midwest while monsoon storms continue in the southwest. checking today's high temperatures, cooler in the northwest today but still extremely hot acro

ukrainian fighters still there and james longman right there near the eastern front tonight. >>> there is news tonight on wnba star brittney griner. tonight, russia now extending her detention. what we're learning from the state department. >>> outside new york city tonight, the school emergency. the bounce house overturning, schoolchildren inside. what authorities are now saying tonight. >>> the scare at an emergency zoo. the family dog somehow ending up in the gorilla exhibit. the gorilla clearly not happy. the families watching in horror. and the extraordinary work to get that dog to safety. >>> and the famous band tonight and the announcement, leaving millions of fans shocked and very upset tonight. >>> good evening and it's great to have you with us here on a tuesday night. and we begin tonight with this extreme weather gripping much of this country. the storms in milwaukee, for one. the 10-year-old boy swept away, the two adults trying to save him swept into a drainage tunnel, as well. also, the emergency inside yellowstone park. the home plunging into a river, they say because o

our james longman, getting exclusive access, as ukrainian forces fired howitzers on the frontline. >> reporter: the power of that gun is just unreal. it sucks the air out of you as it goes out. now, this is an active combat zone. they are finding russian targets. >> reporter: nato's secretary-general today warning putin's war could last for years. president zelenskyy visiting his troops in southern frontline cities honoring the warriors for their bravery, vowing he will not give away the south to anyone. the south showing its resilience. the opera returning to odesa. but russian missiles, pounding targets near mykolaiv. ukrainian sniper emma zinchenko based in the frontline there. she tells me putin's forces appear to be ramping up attacks on ukrainian positions. >> we have a new position just behind the city and just yesterday they bombed our last position. >> reporter: does it still feel like you're still winning? >> yes, we don't have a choice. we're winning or we die. >> reporter: emma, a crimean muslim who uprooted her life due to russian expansionism vows not to do it again. are

james longman is there. >>> ghislaine maxwell sentenced for child six trafficking what the judge decided today. >>> tonight here, the pandemic, and late today, the fda advisers voting in favor of updated boosters this fall. >>> and america strong tonight. the high school graduates and the emergency call just moments after getting their diplomas. >>> good evening and it's great to have you with us here on a tuesday night. and we begin with the dramatic testimony at the sixth public hearing of the january 6th investigation. scheduled just 24 hours ago to present what the committee called recently obtained evidence and a key witness, cassidy hutchinson. the top aide to former president trump's white house chief of staff, mark meadows. hutchinson testifying today that white house officials were aware there was a risk of violence on january 6th, that former president trump was aware that some in the crowd for his speech the morning of january 6th were armed. that he wanted security to let them in, to get rid of the mag ne tommer thes. and she testified the former president wanted to be to the

abc's james longman on the coast of odesa tonight. >> reporter: tonight, the family of american alex drueke, taken by russian backed separatists in ukraine, tell abc news his captors want to make a deal. >> the people who have him are very, very eager to negotiate his release. >> reporter: the u.s. embassy in .'t recog rio as legal are lrne entities, so formal negotiations are unlikely. and tonight a symbol of ukrainian resistance, reclaimed from russia. snake island is the strategic outpost in the black sea, occupied by russia since february 24th. defenders of the island at the time became national heroes for responding to russian calls to surrender with an expletive. well, today, ukraine bombed them off the island. satellite imagery confirming putin's forces have retreated. these images provided by the ukrainian ministry of defense shows artillery striking the island june 21st. it may be that the threat of new long range missile systems like the u.s. that are arriving in this country may have been part of russia's calculations to leave snake island. whit? >> james, thank you. >>> n

james longman inside ukraine with late reporting tonight. >>> also as we come on the air, the severe storms hitting tonight across several states in the east. and what about father's day? we have that, and now another dangerous heat wave building. rob marciano standing by to take us through it all.

our foreign correspondent james longman is in ukraine with the very latest. james, good morning to you. >> reporter: yeah, good morning, t.j. the leaders of france, germany and italy are all in kyiv for talks with president zelenskyy. he'll be asking them to speed up the pace of weapons deliver. meanwhile, there is growing concern for these two american veterans who are thought to have been fighting alongside ukraine in the war who may now have been captured by russia. this morning, the families of two american veterans who have gone missing in ukraine are calling for them to be brought home. 39-year-old alexander drueke and 27-year-old andy huynh both volunteered to fight alongside the ukrainian military. there are now unconfirmed reports the two may have been captured by russian forces in the kharkiv region. the biden administration says they're aware of those reports and are closely monitoring the situation. >> if it's true we'll do everything we can to get them safely back home. >> reporter: now their families just want them home. huynh's fiancee telling

foreign correspondent james longman is on the scene in ukraine. good morning, james. >> reporter: yeah, good morning, george. this war is seen not just as an existential crisis for ukraine but for many around the world, it's a fight for democracy itself. that's why a small number of americans came here to join ukraine in its fight. but now we've had it confirmed, a second american has been killed here. this morning, news emerging of a second american killed fighting in ukraine. stephen zabielski was from florida and died in combat on may 15th in the southeast of the country. this is according to an obituary from the family and confirmed by the state department. ukraine claiming some victories releasing this recent footage they say shows them shooting a russian helicopter out of the sky. on board they say a russian colonel. adding to the growing list of putin's commanders killed. in the donbas the fighting relentless and the military claiming this video shows them using british howitzers to destroy russian vehicles, but a new warning as russia step

foreign correspondent james longman is in kyiv with the very latest for us. good morning, james. >> reporter: yeah, good morning, amy. ukrainian officials are warning their forces are being seriously outgunned by russia. the military has told abc news this morning that the country now relies almost exclusively on western ammunition. this is now a war fought mainly with high-powered heavy artillery and they are running out of it. it's thought ukraine has just one artillery piece per russia's 10 to 15 and president zelenskyy is also admitting ukraine is losing something like 100 soldiers a day and that 500 more are getting injured so for ukraine the fight in the east is looking very bleak indeed and russia is also blaming the west for cyberattacks against its infrastructure. an internet search for russian government housing website led to a glory to ukraine sign in ukrainian with a ukrainian flag so the foreign ministry is saying this greatly increases the threat of a direct military clash with what it calls unpredictable circumstances. guys? >> james longman f

james longman getting coverage of the u.s. supplied howitzers in battlefield use. ukrainian officials bolstering the precision of the new weaponry, but some worry it may not be enough to match russian firepower. a ukrainian military lieutenant saying, we get to a spot, shoot much faster than usual, then we go to another spot. and the u.n. warning the war could last for years without continued assistance. overnight, president zelenskyy making unannounced visits to his country's southern frontline, in two cities, both cities top targets for russia's expansion along the black sea coast. hit by shelling hours after zelenskyy toured the city, and 80 miles away here in odesa, we meet with emma, a ukrainian sniper operating out of that town. >> when you be the first front, for the first time, the first month you listen looking what happened. but after this, you're used to it. >> reporter: she's a practicing muslim who was kicked out of crimea during russia's annexation in 2014 says she's willing to give everything for this fight. are you willing to die? >> yes. i know whe

foreign correspondent james longman is on the scene in ukraine. good morning, james. >> reporter: yeah, good morning, george. ukraine is holding on in the east, even though russia has made some important territorial gains. but overnight, ukraine says it's launched a successful counterattack in a key strategic city there. this is as the u.s. continues to pile on the financial pressure on vladimir putin and his allies. tightening its grip on vladimir putin's inner circle. federal prosecutors are moving to seize these two planes they say are owned by russian oligarch roman abramovich who allegedly moved them to moscow in march violating sanctions put in place by the u.s. in response to the american sanctions, russia is issuing travel bans to 61 u.s. citizens including high-ranking government officials and top business leaders. ruialoade oforts walkoutt u.n. security ow aas unhappy of being accused of weaponizing global food supplies. >> you may leave the room. maybe it's easier not to listen to the truth, ambassador. >> reporter: in the east, ukraini

our foreign correspondent james longman is there for us in ukraine. good morning, james. >> yeah. good morning, robin. more evidence is coming to light on the mall and the factory. this as one of the two u.s. veterans caught here in ukraine. the family of alex drueke has been speaking to abc news. this morning the family of alex drueke, one of the u.s. veterans captured in ukraine speaking to abc news. they say alex has spoken with the state department over the phone while being held by russian proxies twice in recent days. >> they said that he sounded good, that he sounded relatively strong, that he clearly was being prompted to make certain statements and as they questioned him that he is being treated humanely. >> alex was able to pass along a message through the state department to his mother. he said that he loved me and to keep taking good care of his dog and that -- and that he knew i was doing everything i could to get them back home safely. >> this as new video shared by president zelenskyy shows the moment russian missiles hit. panic in a park nearby caught on video as d

our foreign correspondent james longman is in ukraine with the latest. good morning, james. >> reporter: yeah, good morning, michael. the attack on kyiv this weekend felt like a direct message from vladimir putin to those g7 leaders. president zelenskyy said it's more proof that ukraine badly needs better air defense systems. this morning, the most serious attack on kyiv in weeks. a barrage of russian missiles hitting the ukrainian capital early sub. two apartment blocks struck. emergency workers battling flames to bring this 7-year-old girl to safety. she and her mother injured. her father klled. ukraine's energy agency says this video shows a russian missile flying over a nuclear power plant in the south. president zelenskyy responding to the attack saying some of the missiles were shot down before hitting their targets. russian rockets also falling on ukraine's second largest city, kharkiv, in the northeast. destroying several residential buildings hitting a local hospital. one resident said they were trapped for an hour before emergency workers arriv

our foreign correspondent james longman is in ukraine with the latest on that. good morning, james. >> reporter: yeah, good morning, amy. i'm at a sports complex her in kharkiv. it was hit last night by a brrage of russian rockets. take a look at the level of devastation. day in, day out, russia is smashing this area. this as we understand ukrainians are now withdrawing from severodonetsk. this morning, a crucial fight in a battle for the donbas in eastern ukraine. russia on the brink of claiming the entire luhansk region, one of putin's main objectives. the ukrainian resistance >> announcer: this is an abc news special report. now reporting, david muir. >>> good morning. we're coming on the air with breaking news from the supreme court at this hour. the justices handing down the highly anticipated ruling on abortion, and the fate of the landmark roe versus wade decision. this is a majority opinion written by justice samuel alito. very close to what was leaked several weeks back. they say we hope that roe and k.c. must be overruled. terry, bottom line, what has

our foreign correspondent james longman is there in ukraine. james, good morning. >> reporter: yeah, good morning, whit. ukraine is claiming a significant victory this morning. snake island out there in the black sea, they say, has been recaptured from russia and it might be that russian forces decided to retreat because of the threat of long-range weapon systems now being delivered to this country by the west. russia has abandoned a strategic black sea position this morning, ukraine's military releasing this image and declaring that after a fresh bombing campaign, snake island has now been liberated. russia only admitting to what they call a gesture of good will to enable grain shipments, but it's a loss that weakens their grip on the south. and overnight the families of alex drueke and andy huynh, the two americans captured by russian forces in ukraine, speaking out after these images were released to the world. >> i chose to take it as an encouraging sign and to stay positive. >> reporter: both are now being held by russian proxies, but thei

our foreign correspondent james longman on the scene in ukraine with the latest for us. good morning, james. >> reporter: yeah, good morning, amy. parts of ukraine are coming back to normal slowly. here in dnipro people are enjoying the sun but make no mistake russia is slowly strangling this country. vladimir putin is very close to achieving one of his main objectives in the east. war hangs over this whole country but in kyiv a weekend at the beach made life feel normal at least. locals flock to the banks of the dnipro river even if the threat of air strikes still looms. a different story on this odesa beach where an explosion left one person dead. in the east the war rages with greater intensity. ukraine trying to hold on to the donbas region but it's a struggle. they say russia has ten times their firepower. the epicenter of the fighting the city of severodonetsk. this video posted on social media shows fighting on the streets there in recent days. but now russian forces reportedly control most of the city. russian state media showing smoke pouring into the sky and pr

our foreign correspondent james longman is on the scene there in ukraine for us. god morning. >> reporter: good morning, robin. the recovery effort has gone on here all night. first responders still inside hoping perhaps to find survivors, mo are likely a recovery effort and he is hoping an air-raid siren gave enough people enough time to get out research this morning in the wake of the horrific shopping mall attack, at least 18 people are dead and many others missing and 59 injured, with officials calling this attack a mass casualty event. president zelenskyy says that over a thousand civilians were inside the mall just before the ci missile struck. this video circulating online showing those desperately trying to escape and those trying to get out on their own, emergency rescuers rushing to the scene trying to rescue any survivors. >> they're trying to go through the rubble and see if there are any survivors. >> the mal was miles away from the front line with no military significance. russia has repeatedly indiscriminately hit civilian targets since this war beg

our foreign correspondent james longman is in ukraine with the latest. hello to you, james. >> reporter: yeah, good morning to you, t.j. when this war began small but significant numbers of foreigners came to join the fight alongside the ukrainians. now that ukraine is in some trouble, it seems more of them are getting captured, including at least now possibly three americans. this morning, a new image circulating on russian media appears to show two americans in russian custody. >> we have a contact at the state department. he is aware of the photo and they are working to verify it. and we are very hopeful. >> reporter: the two americans, 39-year-old alex drueke and 27-year-old andy huynh volunteered to fight alongside the ukrainians and went missing outside of kharkiv days ago. their families now desperate for answers. >> we get stressful because we don't have answers at the moment. waiting is always very hard. but we are encouraged. >> reporter: now the u.s. is looking into reports that a third american who volunteered to fight for ukraine may have al

our foreign correspondent james longman has the latest. >>reporter: this morning, as ukraine tries to hold off the overwhelming russian force in the east, president zelenskyy with a plea for more military help from the west. [ speaking foreign language ] he says he's grateful for what's come so far but it must come faster. now new satellite images show bridges surrounding severodonetsk destroyed cutting the city off. to the north of severodonetsk police rush to evacuate civilians as bombs fall around them. [ speaking foreign language ] one resident says, evacuation buses can't reach the town because of the shelling. police evacuate people on their own. here in the east we're taking defensive positions back from the front lines. we meet vitale, a member of an elite civil defense unit, and he says the weapons they have can't keep the russians at bay. he said, we need more than an ak-47 to go up against artillery and tanks. there are still some victories here. this russian tank recently captured by ukrainian forces. this is a russian tank whi

foreign correspondent james longman has the latest. >> reporter: this morning abc news with exclusive access to the american weapons being used by ukraine in its fight against russia. that is the m-777 u.s.-made howitzer. it is the long-range piece of artillery which ukraine says is making so much difference to its war. one you fire, you have to move. and the beauty of this particular gun is that it's lighter than anything ukrainians have got, so it can be moved out of position before the russians reply. these weapons are the most advanced ukraine now has in its arsenal. we spoke to an artillery commander who was trained by the united states in europe to use this type of equipment. [speaking foreign language] he says the howitzers are so lightweight and easy to move the enemy can't understand how we so work so rapidly and open fire from the areas not usually suitable for artillery. this comes as three american veterans who volunteered to fight with the ukrainians have gone missing, two of them have reportedly been captured by russian forces. these videos were posted by state media sho

our foreign correspondent james longman is in ukraine with the details of this harrowing escape. good morning, james. >> reporter: yeah, good morning, amy. i'm actually at a building at the university of kharkiv. it was hit on monday. take a look at the level of damage here and it's with this war raging all around that an american scientist made his daring escape. this morning, new details of that daring rescue operation of an american nuclear scientist from ukraine. you can see john spor in white as he's rescued just outside mariupol. the team led by american nonprofit group project dynamo working with local ukrainian security. spor had been living in mariupol for several years before the russians invaded and as putin's forces laid siege to the city, he went into hiding saying the russian fighters ransacked his home. >> they were hunting me. they wanted to find me and they wanted to get the information that i have in my head. >> reporter: project dynamo says spor was considered a high-value target because of the sensitive nature of his work particularly in laser-guided weapon sy