NATO sees the beginning of the new Russian spring offensive, which actually “has already begun”. For this reason, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged the allies to another meeting in the US-led Ramstein format the night before. “We will also talk about the possibility of delivering jets to Kiev.” Meanwhile, the US embassy in Russia urged US citizens to leave the country “immediately”. New sanctions against Russia and other measures will be announced on February 24, the first anniversary of the invasion. Russia pushes Bakhmut, fierce fighting. The threat of a Russian coup lurks over Moldova.
The war in Ukraine, global tensions: what is there to know?
file – War tracks
Live news from the Ukraine-Russia conflict
Important points
08:50 Air alert throughout Ukraine
06:47 Three Russian planes intercepted in Polish airspace
09:08
Stoltenberg: Ongoing discussions about fighter jets in Kiev. support is developing
“The issue of fighter jets is not the most urgent right now, but there are ongoing discussions and we are having ongoing consultations among allies about the types of systems that allies should provide to Ukraine. And that will continue. The kind of support that the supplies we have to Ukraine has changed and evolved and will continue to do so as the war unfolds”. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg upon his arrival at the Alliance’s defense ministers’ meeting. “There is now an urgent need to deliver what has been promised,” he added.
Jens Stoltenberg (afp) 08:50
Air alert throughout Ukraine
An air alert was sounded over the entire Ukraine because of the danger of bombs. All leading Ukrainian media report about it. A MiG-31K fighter capable of carrying missiles took off from Belarus just after 8 a.m. Italian time.
08:18
Gb: Progress of the Wagner group towards Bakhmut
In the past three days, Wagner Group troops have made small advances, gaining ground on the northern outskirts of the disputed Donbass town of Bakhmut. This was announced by the British Ministry of Defense in its daily update on the war in Ukraine. “The organized Ukrainian defense in the region, however, continues,” emphasizes the British secret service. “Overall, the current operational picture suggests that Russian forces are receiving orders to advance in most sectors,” the report said, “but they lack the offensive power to make a decisive impact.”
Shoot and advance: the attack of the Russian tanks
06:56
Dutch Ministry of Defense: “Russian planes came from Kaliningrad”
The Dutch Ministry of Defense said the plane was “approaching Poland’s NATO area of responsibility from Kaliningrad,” and said eight of its Dutch F-35s were stationed in Poland this month and next. The Russian air formation consisted of “three aircraft: an Ilyushin IL-20M Coot-A escorted by two Su-27 flanks,” the Dutch Ministry of Defense explained.
06:47
Three Russian planes intercepted in Polish airspace
Three Russian military planes were intercepted by two Dutch F-35 fighter jets over Poland and escorted out of the country’s NATO airspace. This was announced by the Dutch Ministry of Defense on social media.
03:15
Born today and tomorrow summit of defense ministers in Brussels
NATO defense ministers will meet in Brussels today and tomorrow to strengthen the alliance’s deterrent and to confirm and strengthen support for Ukraine. Also present will be Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, who will take part in both the meeting of the US-led Contact Group on Ukraine and the meeting with NATO ministers.
02:54
Kiev: 16 settlements near Bakhmut bombed
The Ukrainian military reported Russian shelling along the entire front line and said 16 settlements near Bakhmut were shelled.
(Portal) 02:33
The attack on Bakhmut grounded in the village of Sacco and Vanzetti
The latest Russian attempt to widen the attack on Bakhmut and turn it into a full-scale offensive failed ten days ago in a Ukrainian town with a surreal name: Sakko i Vantsetti, meaning Sacco and Vanzetti, the two Italian anarchists sentenced to death in the United States. Continue reading
01:39
China confirms: The foreign minister will visit Russia at the end of February
China’s government has confirmed that its Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Russia this month. This was reported by the Portal news agency. Beijing has been relatively quiet on events in Ukraine, neither clearly supporting nor explicitly condemning Russia’s invasion. In October 2022, China called for a de-escalation, saying that “all countries deserve respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity” and that “all efforts that contribute to the peaceful resolution of the crisis should be supported”.
00:37
Kiev: Russian shelling damages railroad tracks in Kherson
Russian shelling damaged railroad tracks in the Kherson region. This was announced by the Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne. The broadcaster explained that trains from Kyiv and Lviv to Kherson instead terminate in Mykolaiv and passengers are taken to their destination by bus.