U.S. issues sanctions on Russia after troops invade eastern Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops into eastern Ukraine in the Donbas region after recognizing two regions of the country as independent.

U.S. President Joe Biden has issued sanctions on Russia pertaining to sovereign debt and elites and their families. The sanctions also apply to Russian financial institutions.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that sanctions implemented by Canada will largely mirror that of the United States. The European Union was also quick to impose sanctions.

Fighting in Donbas escalated significantly last Thursday. The Luhansk People's Republic alleged that its forces had been attacked by mortars, grenade launchers and machine-gun fire by the Ukrainian military.

Russia maintains that soldiers are deployed to the region on a peacekeeping mission. The United States declared this movement an invasion.