The United States on Friday marked one year since Russia invaded Ukraine with $2 billion worth of weapons and new sanctions against Russia aimed at undermining Moscow’s ability to wage war.

Ukrainian military at the event on the occasion of the anniversary of the start of the invasionPhoto: Pool / Presidency of Ukraine / Zuma Press / Profimedia

The latest on the war in Ukraine, day 367, LIVETEXT:

09:02 Saturday morning’s British Military Review focuses on Iranian kamikaze drones used by the Russians:

  • Since approximately February 15, 2023, there have been no further reported incidents of Iranian unmanned one-way attack aerial vehicles (OWA-UAVs) in Ukraine.
  • Prior to this date, the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the downing of at least 24 Shahed-136 OWA UAVs between the end of January and the beginning of February 2023. Dozens more were destroyed in the first days of the year. The lack of deployment of OWA UAVs likely indicates that Russia has exhausted its current stockpiles. Probably, Russia will try to replenish the reserves.
  • Although these weapons do not have sufficient experience to destroy their intended targets, Russia likely views them as useful decoys that can distract Ukrainian air defenses from more effective Russian cruise missiles.

08:56 Defense forces repelled 70 Russian attacks, the Ukrainian military reported on Saturday morning, Kyiv Independent quotes.

Also, Russian troops launched 27 airstrikes and 75 volleys from multiple rocket launchers against populated areas and civilian infrastructure objects, the General Staff of the Armed Forces reported.

Russia doubled the number of ships in the Black Sea

08:51 The President of Belarus Oleksandr Lukashenko will visit China from February 28 to March 2, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday.

01:30 Zelenskyi on Russia’s accusations regarding Transnistria: Chisinau knows that we respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova”

01:14 Russia has doubled the number of ships in the Black Sea / Possible missile attacks

00:55 The EU finally managed to approve the tenth package of sanctions against Russia

00:18 EU wants to tighten controls to prevent Russian spies from entering (EC)

A brief summary of recent events:

  • China called for a ceasefire and gradual de-escalation in a 12-point document. On Friday, Zelenskyi said that he plans to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, a close ally of Vladimir Putin. Joe Biden said that he does not see anything in the Chinese plan “that would be beneficial to anyone but Russia.”
  • On Friday, a journalist asked Zelensky if he would join the Turkish-brokered talks if Vladimir Putin also sat down at the table, andthe Kyiv leader replied: “No, I don’t accept it.”
  • The administration in Washington announced new sanctions against Russia, as well as additional support for Ukraine, thus marking the anniversary of the beginning of the Russian invasion. G7 members Canada and Britain unveiled similar measures, as did the EU, after stormy last-minute negotiations.
  • Russia said its forces continued to attack the Donetsk region on Friday, killing up to 240 Ukrainian troops in 24 hours.
  • The World Bank has announced that it is providing Ukraine with an additional $2.5 billion in aid to “support support for essential services and recovery efforts.”
  • On Friday, thousands of demonstrators marched across Europe in protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
  • “Psychic state of war” is not very popular among most countries outside of Europe, This was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto, in New York.
  • Romania’s reaction to Moscow’s threats against Transnistria: “This attempt to artificially create tension and destabilization in the region is unacceptable.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chisinau also reacted to Moscow’s warning on Friday that it would “respond” to any Ukrainian military “provocation” in Transnistria.
  • The Prime Minister of Poland said in Kyiv that, in addition to the German Leopard 2 tanks, Poland will provide Ukraine with 60 more Polish PT-91 tanks and is ready to accept 2,500 wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
  • Russia is negotiating with a Chinese drone manufacturer, wanting to order 100 drones by April, writes the weekly Der Spiegel.
  • A year of war: how much did Russia and Ukraine lose at the front? The balance of both armies: tanks, armored vehicles, aircraft, drones and military / As evidenced by independently confirmed data.

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  • Friday’s events were broadcast LIVE on HotNews.ro