Closing Summary
It is midnight in Kyiv. It has been a busy day for Ukraine as the country marked its one-year anniversary since the Russian invasion. Here is a wrap-up of today’s developments:
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Canada will provide additional military support to Ukraine. On Friday, Trudeau said that Canada will provide four additional Leopard 2 main battle tanks. The additional tanks will bring up the total number of tanks provided by Canada to eight.
The US has announced that it will offer over $10 billion in assistance to Ukraine. Blinken said that the funds are crucial to Ukraine and ensure that the Ukrainian government can continue to meet “the critical needs of its citizens, including healthcare, education, and emergency services.”
A ‘people’s court’ has endorsed an indictment against Russian president Vladimir Putin for the crime of aggression and called for his arrest. After a week of hearings in The Hague, a panel of three international legal experts issued the order and called on the international community “to take every step necessary to ensure that a court with legal powers issues an indictment against president Vladimir Putin and takes appropriate measures to arrest the perpetrator and put him on trial in an official Ukraine tribunal as soon as possible,” the AP reports.
The European Union has promised additional support for millions of Ukrainian refugees that have fled their country since Russia’s invasion one year ago. Speaking to the Associated Press on Friday, EU Commission vice president Margaritis Schinas said, “As far as (refugees from) Ukraine are concerned, the figures are stable. “If it happens, we are ready, but it doesn’t seem to be the case for the time being,” he said, referring to a potential increase in refugees.
US Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has released a statement marking the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in which he pledged American solidarity. “One year ago, Vladimir Putin committed his greatest mistake by underestimating the resolve of Ukraine. Since then, we have seen bravery, patriotism, and valor personified by President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people,” Schumer wrote.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has declared victory to be inevitable as his country marked the anniversary of the moment it was invaded by Russian troops. In a national address earlier on Friday, Zelenskiy told Ukrainians they had been proven invincible over “a year of pain, sorrow, faith and unity.”
The Group of Seven (G7) has announced a range of further economic, military and financial sanctions against Russia. The group announced it would take unprecedented measures in order to weaken Russia, promising measures against Russian diamond exports. It warned that third countries that help Russia evade sanctions would face “severe costs” and is understood to be setting up an “enforcement coordination mechanism” to stop evasion of G7 sanctions already imposed.
The UK said it was banning the export of every item Russia has been found using on the battlefield to date, a list covering hundreds of goods, including aircraft parts, radio equipment and electronic components. The British government is also imposing sanctions on senior executives at Russia’s state-owned nuclear power company Rosatom, who Ukraine says are complicit in the seizure and forced nationality change of the staff of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and their children.
Sweden will send up to 10 Leopard tanks and anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine, the prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, and defence minister, Pål Jonson, said today. “The Swedish tanks reinforce the Leopard 2 contribution that other European countries make. Coordination of support is ongoing with international partners donating Leopard 2 or other tanks,” the government said.
President Zelenskiy has welcomed some elements of a Chinese proposal for a ceasefire in Russia’s war on Ukraine. China’s government called for peace talks while urging all parties to avoid nuclear escalation and end attacks on civilians, in a statement which appeared to maintain Beijing’s stance that the west was fuelling the conflict and which analysts dismissed as anodyne. “China has shown its thoughts. I believe that the fact that China started talking about Ukraine is not bad,” Zelenskiy said.
Russia appreciated China’s plan to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and was open to achieving the goals of what it calls its “special military operation” through political and diplomatic means, foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said. However, this would also mean recognising “new territorital realities” in Ukraine, Zakharova said, referring to Russia’s unilateral annexation of four Ukrainian regions - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - as well as of Crimea.
That’s it from me, Maya Yang, as we close the blog for today. Thank you for following along.
Canada to provide additional military support to Ukraine
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Canada will provide additional military support to Ukraine.
On Friday, Trudeau said that Canada will provide four additional Leopard 2 main battle tanks, CTV News reports.
The additional tanks will bring up the total number of tanks provided by Canada to eight.
Canada will also provide an armoured recovery vehicle, as well as over 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
US to give $10 billion in aid to Ukraine
The US has announced that it will offer over $10 billion in assistance to Ukraine.
In a statement on Friday, secretary of state Antony Blinken said, “…in coordination with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of the Treasury, we are announcing over $10 billion in assistance, including budgetary support to the Government of Ukraine and additional energy assistance to support Ukrainians suffering from Russia’s attacks.”
Blinken said that the funds are crucial to Ukraine and ensure that the Ukrainian government can continue to meet “the critical needs of its citizens, including healthcare, education, and emergency services.”
He added that the Biden administration is also working alongside Congress to provide additional energy assistance to the war-torn country – a $250 contribution that will in turn address “immediate needs, including critical power grid equipment.”
The assistance is in addition to the $270 million that the US has already committed to help safeguard and bolster the country’s energy security in the past year.
A ‘people’s court’ has endorsed an indictment against Russian president Vladimir Putin for the crime of aggression and called for his arrest.
The Associated Press reports:
The symbolic decision Friday came on the anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of its neighbor that triggered Europe’s biggest and deadliest conflict since World War II.
After a week of hearings in The Hague, a panel of three international legal experts issued the order and called on the international community “to take every step necessary to ensure that a court with legal powers issues an indictment against president Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and takes appropriate measures to arrest the perpetrator and put him on trial in an official Ukraine tribunal as soon as possible.”
The judges, including Stephen Rapp, a U.S. prosecutor who once headed the successful effort to bring former Liberian President Charles Taylor to justice for crimes in Sierra Leone, heard testimony from survivors of Russian attacks in Ukraine and from military experts before issuing their order.
The ruling comes amid international efforts to establish a tribunal that could prosecute Putin and other Russian leaders for the crime of aggression. The International Criminal Court has opened an investigation in Ukraine, but doesn’t have jurisdiction to prosecute the crime of aggression.
The presiding judge at the court, South African Zak Jacoob, said that he hoped the hearings would add to the pressure for a special court.
“Hopefully this is a step to prosecution. As I said, we have no legal authority or force, but hopefully we have the authority of moral force and moral persuasion, which would take us somewhere,” he told reporters.
The people’s court found that evidence presented was strong enough to indict Putin, saying that as head of state he “planned, prepared, initiated and executed — and continues to plan and execute — the Russian Federation’s acts of aggression in Ukraine.”
Jacoob, called Putin’s justifications for the war “pathetic.” An invitation for Putin or his legal representatives to take part in the hearings went unanswered, prosecutors said.
“It is an insult to the international community and to the integrity of the world to make the sort of claims that he has made. And I reject them in no uncertain terms,” Jacoob said.
The Eiffel Tower has lit up in blue and yellow – colors of the Ukrainian flag – in a show of solidarity for the country on the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion.
La Tour Eiffel aux couleurs de l’#Ukraine à la veille des 1 an de l’invasion russe.@Paris affiche une nouvelle fois sa solidarité avec le peuple ukrainien, qui lutte sans relâche pour la liberté et la démocratie 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/kEWVs1IIbj
— Jean-Luc Romero-Michel (@JeanLucRomero) February 23, 2023
“Paris once again shows its solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who are fighting tirelessly for freedom and democracy,” tweeted Paris deputy mayor Jean-Luc Romero-Michel.
The European Union has promised additional support for millions of Ukrainian refugees that have fled their country since Russia’s invasion one year ago.
Speaking to the Associated Press on Friday, EU Commission vice president Margaritis Schinas said, “As far as (refugees from) Ukraine are concerned, the figures are stable.
Schinas added that he did not think it was “automatic” that the number of refugees would increase in the coming months.
“If it happens, we are ready, but it doesn’t seem to be the case for the time being,” he said.
US Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has released a statement marking the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in which he pledged American solidarity.
“One year ago, Vladimir Putin committed his greatest mistake by underestimating the resolve of Ukraine. Since then, we have seen bravery, patriotism, and valor personified by President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people,” Schumer wrote.
“To honor that heroism and show the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom and democracy, I was proud to lead the Senate in delivering over $113 billion in military, economic, and humanitarian aid their country needed and deserved. Now, and for as long as it takes, the United States stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine,” he added.
During a security council meeting at the United Nations, Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzya, interrupted a minute of silence which Ukraine’s foreign minister requested for those who died as a result of “Russian aggression.”
‘All lives are priceless ... we are rising to remember the memory [of all the victims],” Nebenzya said, interrupting the minute’s silence, before it resumed.
Summary of the day so far
Today marks the first anniversary of Russia’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine. It’s been a busy one, so here’s a look at the key developments:
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has declared victory to be inevitable as his country marked the anniversary of the moment it was invaded by Russian troops. In a national address earlier on Friday, Zelenskiy told Ukrainians they had been proven invincible over “a year of pain, sorrow, faith and unity”. He paid homage to cities that have become bywords for Russian war crimes, such as Bucha, Irpin and Mariupol, describing them as “capitals of invincibility”.
The Group of Seven (G7) has announced a range of further economic, military and financial sanctions against Russia. The group announced it would take unprecedented measures in order to weaken Russia, promising measures against Russian diamond exports. It warned that third countries that help Russia evade sanctions would face “severe costs” and is understood to be setting up an “enforcement coordination mechanism” to stop evasion of G7 sanctions already imposed.
The US led the way with an announcement of further military aid for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia and its supporters, including Chinese companies. The military assistance package will include several new drone and anti-drone systems the US has not previously made available, as well as equipment to help Ukraine counter Russian electronic warfare. The US will also send more ammunition for the high mobility artillery rocket systems (Himars) and 155mm howitzer guns Washington has provided over the course of the year.
The UK said it was banning the export of every item Russia has been found using on the battlefield to date, a list covering hundreds of goods, including aircraft parts, radio equipment and electronic components. The British government is also imposing sanctions on senior executives at Russia’s state-owned nuclear power company Rosatom, who Ukraine says are complicit in the seizure and forced nationality change of the staff of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and their children.
But Britain is not planning to send RAF Typhoons to Ukraine, the defence secretary Ben Wallace has said. Wallace said the jets would be too complex for Ukraine – but added, with the backing of Downing Street, the fighters could provide air cover for eastern bloc countries to backfill if they wanted to send their MiG-29 and other Soviet-era jets to Kyiv.
The EU is expected to announce a ban on €11bn (£9.7bn) worth of exports of critical technologies to Russia, as part of a 10th round of sanctions. Despite plans to have the measures in place by the first anniversary of the invasion, the latest measures were being held up by a last-minute dispute over how quickly to ban synthetic rubber imports from Russia. Italy objected to a rapid phase-out, while Poland blindsided other member states with its insistence the trade be stopped as soon as possible.
The first Polish Leopard tanks have arrived in Ukraine. Poland’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, confirmed that four Leopard tanks had been delivered to Ukraine. “Poland and Europe stand by your side. We will definitely not leave you, we will support Ukraine until complete victory over Russia,” he said, standing alongside President Zelenskiy during his visit to Kyiv. He said Poland will provide more Leopard tanks soon, as well as a number of upgraded, Soviet-era T-72 tanks.
Sweden will send up to 10 Leopard tanks and anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine, the prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, and defence minister, Pål Jonson, said today. “The Swedish tanks reinforce the Leopard 2 contribution that other European countries make. Coordination of support is ongoing with international partners donating Leopard 2 or other tanks,” the government said.
President Zelenskiy has welcomed some elements of a Chinese proposal for a ceasefire in Russia’s war on Ukraine. China’s government called for peace talks while urging all parties to avoid nuclear escalation and end attacks on civilians, in a statement which appeared to maintain Beijing’s stance that the west was fuelling the conflict and which analysts dismissed as anodyne. “China has shown its thoughts. I believe that the fact that China started talking about Ukraine is not bad,” Zelenskiy said.
Russia appreciated China’s plan to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and was open to achieving the goals of what it calls its “special military operation” through political and diplomatic means., foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said. However, this would also mean recognising “new territorital realities” in Ukraine, Zakharova said, referring to Russia’s unilateral annexation of four Ukrainian regions - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - as well as of Crimea.
But western leaders have largely dismissed China’s peace plan for Ukraine, arguing that Beijing does not have the international credibility to act as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The 12-point position paper on Ukraine, for which Kyiv was not consulted, was criticised by US officials and some analysts who noted the growing ties between China and Russia. On Wednesday, China’s top diplomat visited Moscow and pledged a deeper partnership.
The World Bank has announced $2.5bn (£2.1bn) in additional grant financing for Ukraine to support the country’s budget and to maintain essential services. The funds will go towards supporting Ukraine’s key sectors, including health care, schools, payment of pensions, payments for internally displaced people, social assistance programs, and wages for employees providing core government services, it said.
The White House says it believes Russia may provide Iran with fighter jets and other military equipment in exchange for support for its war in Ukraine. The White House’s national security spokesperson, John Kirby, said the US had information that Iran had shipped artillery and tank rounds to Russia in November. In return, Russia was offering “unprecedented defence cooperation”, including on missiles, electronics and fighter jets, he said.
Commemorations have been held in Ukraine and around the world on the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, with moments of silence observed, candlelit vigils and protests. Our picture editors have selected some of the strongest images from the events for this gallery.
Britain is not planning to send RAF Typhoons to Ukraine, the defence secretary has said, rejecting a high profile campaign led by Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, with the support of the former prime minister Boris Johnson.
Ben Wallace said the jets would be too complex for Ukraine – but added, with the backing of Downing Street, the fighters could provide air cover for eastern bloc countries to backfill if they wanted to send their MiG-29 and other Soviet-era jets to Kyiv.
The defence secretary said: “We’re not going to send our own Typhoon jets in the short term to Ukraine,” in an interview with Sky News to coincide with the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on Friday.
But the comments deal a blow to Zelenskiy, who travelled to the UK this month to make a dramatic request for “wings for freedom” in a rare address by a foreign leader to both Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
Instead, Wallace said that if other countries with Soviet-origin aircraft wanted to supply Ukraine instead, the UK would be willing to help provide air cover for that country to make up for the loss of jets.
World Bank announces $2.5bn in additional grant financing for Ukraine
The World Bank has announced $2.5bn (£2.1bn) in additional grant financing for Ukraine to support the country’s budget and to maintain essential services.
The funds will go towards supporting Ukraine’s key sectors, including health care, schools, payment of pensions, payments for internally displaced people, social assistance programs, and wages for employees providing core government services, a statement from the World Bank said.
The president of the World Bank group, David Malpass, said:
One year into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the world continues to witness the horrific destruction inflicted on the country and its people.
We will continue supporting the people of Ukraine through urgent repair projects and coordination with the Government for recovery and reconstruction efforts
Ukraine’s defence minister, Oleksii Reznikov, has thanked Sweden’s prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, following the announcement that Stockholm will send up to 10 Leopard tanks and anti-aircraft systems to Kyiv.
Leopards for Ukraine from Swedish lions.
— Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) February 24, 2023
Our nations are united not only by the colors of our flags.
Thank you to @SwedishPM Ulf Kristersson, my colleague @PlJonson and the Swedish people. 🇺🇦🤝🇸🇪
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has wrapped up his press conference after more than two hours of taking questions from journalists.
The Ukrainian leader concluded the conference by talking about his family. “I love them, I love my family. I love my wife,” he said.
He said his children are “the most important people” for him, but that he did not get to see them often and that he didn’t have “any opportunities” to see his own parents.
On the subject of Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, he said he was “very proud” of her and that she was “doing everything she can for the sake of our children and the country”.
He added:
The most important thing is not to let them down. The most important thing is to make sure that my children are proud of me.
EU fails again to agree on new round of Russia sanctions - report
The EU’s top diplomats have for a third day running failed to agree on the bloc’s tenth round of sanctions against Russia, according to sources.
Talks are understood to be stuck on the question of rubber trade with Russia, with Poland reportedly rejecting Italy’s demand for laxer new curbs on rubber imports.
Reuters reports that Poland said proposed restrictions on EU imports of Russia rubber included such a big quota of imports exempted and such long transition periods that they would have no effect in practice.
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, had told Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the EU aimed to have the measures in place by today, the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Zelenskiy asks the BBC’s James Waterhouse if he can send a question to Rishi Sunak for fighter jets and Typhoons.
If #Ukraine doesn't win the war over the next year what will be the reason, a British journalist wonders? Zelenskiy says he doesn't want to think about it and claims: "We will win." He jokes: "Where are my Typhoon aircraft. Please ask my friend Rishi [Sunak]!"
— Luke Harding (@lukeharding1968) February 24, 2023
Britain’s prime minister, Rishi Sunak, told leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) that he supported Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s calls for China to engage with Ukraine during a virtual meeting to mark the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine, Downing Street has said.
During the meeting, Sunak said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was “not just a Euro-Atlantic problem, but an attack on universal principles”, a spokesperson for the prime minister said.
The G7 leaders “reiterated their unfaltering support for Ukraine and agreed on the need to continue to intensify military aid”, and “praised the steadfast international unity throughout the past year”, they said.
The leaders also discussed the strong show of support for Ukraine at the United Nations (UN) last night, and the prime minister emphasised that by supporting Ukraine, the international community was upholding the UN’s Charter.
They added:
Reflecting on China’s ceasefire proposals, the prime minister said he supported President Zelenskiy’s calls for China to engage with Ukraine, adding that peace could only be achieved on Ukraine’s terms.
The prime minister added that the international community needed to support Ukraine with long-term military and security assurances to send a strong message to President Putin that the global support was enduring.
Zelenskiy says he plans to meet China’s Xi Jinping
Volodymyr Zelenskiy says he plans to meet the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, and said it would be “useful” to both countries and global security.
“As far as I know, China respects historical integrity”, he says at a news conference in Kyiv.
China needs to do its best to make sure that the Russian Federation withdraws from our territory because that’s what respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty means.
My colleague Luke Harding is covering Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s news conference in Kyiv.
Asked if Putin will try to invade another country, given his military setbacks in Ukraine, Zelenskiy replies:
Unfortunately yes. I believe it is possible and it might happen.
He warns that Russia “will come for Nato states if the US abandons Ukraine” in the war.
ABC News asks Zelenskiy what he makes of polls that show growing number of Americans oppose $$$$ going to #Ukraine? He says if the US stops supporting Kyiv it will lose "global leadership role" and eventually be forced to send its "sons and daughters" to fight in Europe
— Luke Harding (@lukeharding1968) February 24, 2023
Russia may send fighter jets to Iran, says White House
The White House says it believes Russia may provide Iran with fighter jets and other military equipment in exchange for support for its war in Ukraine
Speaking to reporters, the White House’s national security spokesperson, John Kirby, said the US had information that Iran had shipped artillery and tank rounds to Russia in November.
In return, Russia was offering “unprecedented defence cooperation”, including on missiles, electronics and fighter jets, he said.
He said Iran was also seeking to purchase attack helicopters, radars and combat trainer aircraft.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy is still taking questions from journalists at a news conference in Kyiv. We will have a full write-up of what he said, but here are some more key points:
Ukraine’s president said one of his biggest disappointments of the war had been to see people who could have fought leave the country when Russia invaded, referring to officials who fled.
Asked if he would join negotiations mediated by Turkey if Vladimir Putin came to the table, Zelenskiy said he would “accept” it.
The Turkish leader, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, “knows my view”, Zelenskiy said.
We discussed this before the war. I told him to put Putin at the table for negotiations. ‘Can we please do that? We must avert a full-scale war.’ But [Erdogan] was not able to do that. Not only him — he is powerful — but he is not able to do it. And now he thinks that he is? Now we can’t.
Zelenskiy also dismissed Russia’s allegations that Kyiv has aims on Moldova’s breakaway Russian-speaking Transdniestria region. The region was the sovereign territory of Moldova, he said.
Ukraine’s prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, has shared a photo of him shaking hands with his Polish counterpart, Mateusz Morawiecki, in front of the first Leopard 2 tanks in Kyiv.
Writing on Twitter, Shmyhal said Kyiv was grateful to Poland for the “decisive steps that bring Ukraine closer to victory” and that he was waiting for the expansion of the western “tank coalition”.
Leopard 2 tanks are already in #Ukraine. Together with Prime Minister @MorawieckiM, we met the first tanks provided by partners. We are grateful to Poland 🇵🇱 for the decisive steps that bring 🇺🇦 closer to victory. We are waiting for the expansion of the tank coalition. pic.twitter.com/Brs2iuNelt
— Denys Shmyhal (@Denys_Shmyhal) February 24, 2023
G7 to 'take actions' against countries supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine
The Group of Seven nations (G7) is taking actions against third-country actors “materially supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine,” the bloc said in a statement as it reaffirmed its support for Ukraine.
The statement reads:
We call on third-countries or other international actors who seek to evade or undermine our measures to cease providing material support to Russia’s war, or face severe costs.
To deter this activity around the world, we are taking actions against third-country actors materially supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The G7 consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US.
Asked if Australia should reopen its embassy in Kyiv, Zelenskiy says he would like to shake hands with the returning Australian ambassador. He says:
Please come back. But on a Bushmeister. We need one more.
Another amusing moment at press conference, when Zelenskiy is asked if #Australia should reopen its still-closed embassy in Kyiv? He says he'd like to shake hands with returning Oz ambassador. "Please come back. But on a Bushmeister [armoured vehicle]. We need one more," he quips
— Luke Harding (@lukeharding1968) February 24, 2023
Here are some more remarks from Volodymyr Zelenskiy on China’s ceasefire proposal. Zelenskiy said he welcomed some elements of the plan, but said only the country where a war is being fought should be the initiator of a peace plan.
Speaking at a news conference in Kyiv, Zelenskiy said:
I think it’s correct to think that if there are thoughts that, in one way or another, correspond with respect for international law, to territorial integrity... let’s work with China on this point. Why not?
He urged Beijing not to provide Moscow with arms, but added that it was promising that China, an ally of Russia, was considering brokering peace, adding:
Our task is to gather everyone to isolate one.
The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has appeared to make a dig at China’s newly published 12-point ceasefire proposal to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
Speaking at the UN security council in New York, Blinken said he expects “many countries will call for peace today,” but “history teaches us that it’s the nature of peace that matters”.
Members of the council should not be fooled by calls for a temporary or unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine and should not fall into the “false equivalency” of calling both sides to stop fighting, he said.
Russia will use any pause in fighting to consolidate control of territory and replenish its forces, he said.
Any peace that legitimises Russia’s seizure of land by force will weaken the Charter and send a message to would-be aggressors everywhere that they can invade countries and get away with it.
Asked to share a moment of the war he found most difficult, Zelenskiy replied:
Bucha. The moment we de-occupied Bucha. What I saw. It was horrible. What we’ve seen… the devil is not somewhere below us - he’s among us.
Asked what the chances are of him negotiating with Vladimir Putin, Zelenskiy said he had a message for Moscow:
Respect our right to live on our land, get out of our territory, stop bombing us, stop killing civilians... stop the bombardments.
Very strong answer from Zelenskiy on whether Ukraine should "compromise" with Moscow. Says this is only possible when Russia stops killing civilians, destroying infrastructure, burning forests
— Luke Harding (@lukeharding1968) February 24, 2023
Kyiv and Moscow welcome China's intervention in peace process
Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, says Moscow appreciated China’s plan to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and said it was open to achieving the goals of what it calls its “special military operation” through political and diplomatic means.
She said:
We appreciate the sincere desire of our Chinese friends to contribute to resolving the conflict in Ukraine by peaceful means... We share the views of Beijing.
However, this would also mean recognising “new territorital realities” in Ukraine, Zakharova said, referring to Russia’s unilateral annexation of four Ukrainian regions - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - as well as of Crimea.
Her remarks came as Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said there were points in the Chinese proposals that were understandable” and “there are those that we don’t”.
“But it’s something,” he added at a news conference on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.
Zelenskiy said:
China has shown its thoughts. I believe that the fact that China started talking about Ukraine is not bad.
But the question is what follows the words. The question is in the steps and where they will lead to.
Updated
An Azerbaijani journalist asked if he could take a selfie with President Zelenskiy in the middle of a news conference, before asking a question about Ukraine’s relationship with Azerbaijan.
Ze is posing for a selfie from an Azeri journalist who says he promised to get a picture "for his son". Reporter walks on stage and sits down. Show-business meets international politics
— Luke Harding (@lukeharding1968) February 24, 2023
Zelenskiy says there are some points in China’s ceasefire statement that are “understandable” to him “and there are those that we don’t”.
Zelenskiy says Beijing’s statement “respects our territorial integrity”, adding that it is a good thing that China is talking about Ukraine and that Beijing’s interest is “not bad”.
He says:
China has started talking about Ukraine, and that is not bad. The Chinese statement respects our territorial integrity.
He adds:
But the question is what follows the words. The question is in the steps and where they will lead to.
Updated
Zelenskiy says he wants Latin America, Africa, China, India to join Ukraine peace plan
Zelenskiy, speaking at a press conference, has called for a summit with Latin American leaders and said Ukraine should take steps to build relations with African countries.
He said he would like countries from across Latin America and Africa, as well as China and India, to join a peace formula proposed by Kyiv to end the war with Russia.
He says he would attend the summit in person “even though it’s very difficult for me to leave Ukraine”.
He concedes that Ukraine has not paid enough attention to Africa, and to telling it about Russia's "bloody" war. Wants a summit with Latin America countries and says he would attend in person "even though it's very difficult for me to leave Ukraine"
— Luke Harding (@lukeharding1968) February 24, 2023
He says he also wants to have India and China participate in a “peace summit” to end the war in Ukraine.
Zelenskiy says he wants to have India and China participating in a "peace summit" to end the war in Ukraine
— Luke Harding (@lukeharding1968) February 24, 2023
Updated
Meanwhile in New York, the Russian ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, has interrupted a minute’s silence during a meeting of the UN security council.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, had called for a minute’s silence to honour “the victims of the aggression”.
As members of the assembly stood up, Nebenzya began tapping his microphone and asked for the floor. He said:
We are getting up on our feet to honour the memory of all victims of what has happened in Ukraine, starting in 2014.
“All of those who perished. All lives are priceless,” he said, appearing to refer to Russian lives lost in the conflict.
From my colleague Patrick Wintour:
Russia & Ukraine clash over how to honour the dead. Ukraine asks for a minute's silence at the UNSC to honour those killed since Russian invasion in past year. Russian delegation do not rise then envoy Vassily Nebenzya stands to say he will honour all those killed since 2014.
— Patrick Wintour (@patrickwintour) February 24, 2023
Updated
My colleague Luke Harding is at Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s press conference in Kyiv:
President Zelenskiy has just arrived for a press conference. I’m in front row. Amazing moment - Ukraine stands, Kyiv stands, Volodymyr stands - a year after Russia launched its full-scale invasion pic.twitter.com/NTyiZas0kZ
— Luke Harding (@lukeharding1968) February 24, 2023
Zelenskiy leads minute of silence at news conference
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is delivering a statement at a televised press conference to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of his country.
You can watch it live here:
The Ukrainian leader starts by thanking the journalists who have worked in Ukraine over the last year and calls for a minute of silence to remember those who died in the conflict.
Updated
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has thanked the UK’s prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and the people of Britain for their “unwavering support” and “invaluable” help “in hard times”.
We thank PM @RishiSunak, 🇬🇧 people for unwavering support of 🇺🇦 in the fight against 🇷🇺 aggression. Your help in hard times is invaluable. Today's new sanctions package against 🇷🇺 is evidence of unwavering 🇬🇧 solidarity with 🇺🇦. Let's press on 🇷🇺 together. We'll prevail for sure! https://t.co/JZBvbzmlVr
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2023
The Ukrainian leader’s tweet came after Britain’s foreign secretary, James Cleverly, announced an export ban on every piece of equipment Russia has been found using on the battlefield in Ukraine.
The UK foreign office said the internationally coordinated package of sanctions includes aircraft parts, radio equipment and electronic components that can be used by the Russian military-industrial complex.
The UK is also sanctioning senior executives at the Russian state-owned nuclear power company Rosatom, as well as bosses at Russia’s two largest defence companies and four banks.
UN chief: 'Life is a living hell for the people of Ukraine'
The UN’s secretary general, António Guterres, is currently addressing a meeting of the UN security council to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine.
Guterres says he sat in the council a year ago and urged “in the name of humanity” not to allow “what could be the worst war since the beginning of the century” in Europe.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a “blatant” violation of the UN charter and international law, he says.
It has unleashed widespread destruction and displacement attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and of course, many casualties and terrible suffering.
He says the UN’s office of the high commissioner for human rights has documented dozens of cases of conflict-related sexual violence against men and women.
Serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law against prisoners of war, and hundreds of cases of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions of civilians, were also documented.
The past year has been a “living hell” for the people of Ukraine, he says, adding that more than half of all of Ukraine’s children have been forced from their homes.
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The first Polish Leopard tanks have arrived in Ukraine, as western allies announced a raft of further economic, military and financial sanctions against Russia, in a renewed effort to weaken Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
Speaking on the anniversary of the Russian invasion on Friday, Poland’s president, Andrzej Duda, said the first Leopard tanks had arrived in Ukraine. He did not specify how many, but Poland had previously requested an export licence from Berlin for 14 Leopard 2 tanks, with the goal of spurring others to do the same.
As ceremonies to remember the dead took place in Kyiv, western allies sought to demonstrate their support. Ukraine’s blue and yellow colours were projected on the Eiffel Tower, the Brandenburg Gate, the Empire State Building and EU headquarters, and were painted on the street by activists outside the Russian embassy in London.
Ahead of a G7 meeting, the US led the way with an announcement of further military aid for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia and its supporters, including Chinese companies.
The military assistance package will include several new drone and anti-drone systems the US has not previously made available, as well as equipment to help Ukraine counter Russian electronic warfare. The new drones include the Switchblade 600, a bigger version of this loitering munition (or kamikaze drone) than has already been supplied, as well as the CyberLux K8, Altius-600, and the Jump 20, which can be used for surveillance or adapted to carry bombs.
The US will also send more ammunition for the high mobility artillery rocket systems (Himars) and 155mm howitzer guns Washington has provided over the course of the year.
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Country star Brad Paisley has released a new song featuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Titled Same Here, the song – a single from Paisley’s forthcoming album Son of the Mountains – features audio of Paisley and Zelenskiy discussing the commonalities between Americans and Ukranians, as well as the Ukrainian peoples’ desire for freedom.
“I think we appreciate the same things – children, freedom, our flag, our soldiers, our people,” says Zelenskiy on the song. “We are proud of our army, who defend our freedom and defend our lives.”
We are fighting for our children, our parents, to defend our houses, our families … there is no distance between our countries in such values. That is very important – to see that they are really, in many things, the same.
Per an AP report, Zelenskiy suggested changes to the song prior to its release. “I think he understands that art is how you reach the most people, especially in the heart,” said Paisley.
He can give as many speeches as he can give, but it’s a lot easier to hear something with a melody maybe.
Commemorations have been held in Ukraine and around the world on the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, with moments of silence observed, candlelit vigils and protests. Our picture editors have selected some of the strongest images from the events for this gallery.
Helena Smith reports for the Guardian from Athens:
Over in Greece, the foreign minister, Nikos Dendias, has taken to Twitter to express his country’s support for Ukraine as the world marks the first anniversary of an invasion Russia still insists on calling a “special military operation.”
“One year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine: Greece has been and remains by the side of the Ukrainian people, committed to its principles of respect for international legality and the territorial sovereignty of all states and against any revisionism,” Dendias wrote.
The Greek government’s stance has resulted in a scuppering of ties with fellow Orthodox Russia, once a close ally. Moscow’s displeasure with Nato-member Greece was conveyed in a message tweeted by the Russian embassy in Athens earlier this week in which Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister, was quoted as saying:
We were friends with the Greeks. We noted the transformations in the country’s leadership. She was forced, or agreed, to submit to American demands. We have drawn conclusions in regard to those who so happily supported aggression against Russia.
Meanwhile, officials attending the second European conference in border management in Vouliagmeni outside Athens observed a minute of silence in tribute to the victims of the war.
The EU’s home affairs commissioner, Ylva Johansson, who is in attendance vowed the 27-member bloc would be standing by Ukraine for as long as it takes.
“Ukraine can win this war, but we will be with Ukraine as long as it takes,” she told the AP on the sidelines of the conference.
Poland’s deputy interior minister, also attending the conference, said Warsaw was braced – and would welcome – the ever more Ukrainians who could be forced to seek refuge in the neighbouring country if Moscow went ahead with a widely anticipated spring offensive.
“We have this contingency planning,” the minister, Bartosz Grodecki, said. “I hope that it will not be necessary (but) … we’ve been trained, planned properly, and we know how to be prepared,” he also told the AP.
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has posted to the Telegram app about the visit of Poland’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, to Kyiv today. Zelenskiy writes:
Poland was with us even before the start of the full-scale war, was with us every minute of this year and, I am sure, will be with us until our victory. Our joint victory!
Today, during the talks with prime minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki, we discussed the entire range of defence issues. Talks concerned weapons for Ukraine, thanks to which Russia’s defeat on the battlefield will be speeded up, and new sanctions against Russia. Separately, I would like to note our cooperation regarding the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers. I am sure that it will remain a good memory in the history of nations.
I am thankful to Mateusz Morawiecki and all our Polish brothers for understanding the situation and needs of Ukraine.
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Zelenskiy to join G7 leaders for virtual talks to discuss sanctions
Volodymyr Zelenskiy is due to attend an online summit with leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) wealthy democracies, expected to pledge more support for Ukraine and tighten sanctions against Russia.
Joe Biden announced new US sanctions on Russia earlier today, and other western allies are expected to do so around the summit to mark the anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
Current G7 president Japan said it was considering new measures, without giving any details.
The G7 consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the US.
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Sweden to send up to 10 Leopard tanks to Ukraine
Sweden will send up to 10 Leopard tanks and anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine, the prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, and defence minister, Pål Jonson, said today.
The Swedish government said in a statement:
The Swedish tanks reinforce the Leopard 2 contribution that other European countries make. Coordination of support is ongoing with international partners donating Leopard 2 or other tanks.
Sweden is joining the "Leopard family" in support of Ukraine, through Swedish Leopard 2 tanks. Today's military package also includes further air defence components. We will continue to help Ukraine win the war.
— SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) February 24, 2023
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Canada will provide more than $32m (£19.7m) in support to further strengthen Ukraine’s security and stabilisation, its government has announced.
In a statement, Canada’s foreign minister, Mélanie Joly, said:
For an entire year, Canada and the international community have rallied like never before to support Ukraine’s resilience in the face of President Putin’s aggressions.
Canada’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty is unwavering. We will not stand down until Russia is held accountable for its crimes.
The $32m includes $7.5m for demining efforts, more than $13m for accountability efforts that include addressing conflict-related sexual violence, and more than $12m to “counter chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats”, the government said.
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How might the Ukraine war end?
Ukraine’s war reaches the one-year mark with no immediate end in sight. Both sides want to carry on fighting, and any negotiated peace looks a long way off.
So how might the war end? The Guardian’s defence and security editor, Dan Sabbagh, says there are five scenarios to consider.
Joe Biden has tweeted his support for Ukraine today on the first anniversary of Russia’s full-fledged invasion, alongside a photograph of him and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in Kyiv.
“Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia. Never,” the US president wrote.
Today, a year after bombs began to fall, Ukraine is still independent and free.
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 24, 2023
From Kherson to Kharkiv – Ukrainian fighters have reclaimed their land.
And in more than half of the territory Russia held last year, the Ukrainian flag proudly waves once more. pic.twitter.com/6pv7eBL9gj
I'll repeat today what I said one year ago as Russia invaded Ukraine.
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 24, 2023
A dictator bent on rebuilding an empire will never erase the people’s love of liberty.
Brutality will never grind down the will of the free.
And Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia. Never.
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Earlier we reported that Poland has delivered its first Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine. Its prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, has now confirmed that his country has delivered four Leopards to Kyiv already.
Morawiecki, who has been meeting Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv, said at a joint news conference with the Ukrainian leader:
Poland and Europe stand by your side. We will definitely not leave you, we will support Ukraine until complete victory over Russia.
He said Poland will provide more Leopard tanks soon, as well as a number of upgraded, Soviet-era T-72 tanks.
Poland has pledged 14 German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
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Alexander Kamyshin, the head of Ukraine’s railway company Ukrzaliznytsia, doesn’t get much sleep at the best of times.
On Sunday night, as Joe Biden was being ferried into Ukraine in a 10-hour night journey from Poland – in a carriage now known as “Rail Force One”, he got almost none.
Along with others involved in the secret operation to bring the US president to his meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Kamyshin watched the progress of the train in a command centre.
A handsome bearded man sporting a hipster-ish braid of hair that falls over the shaved sides of his head, Kamyshin is deliberately vague about many of the details.
But in the past year, his dedicated team has brought in world leaders, VIPs and diplomatic missions on an almost daily basis as part of a programme called “Iron Diplomacy”.
Security is everything, he told the Guardian in an interview at Kyiv’s main railway station.
We have not had one leak. There have been no photographs from train attendants. We respect the confidence of the delegations.
The challenge is treat the delegations properly because, like Biden, they spend more time on the train than they do in Kyiv. He spent 20 hours on the train and four hours in Kyiv. Everyone knows Ukrainians are brave. We also want them to know that we are welcoming.”
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China’s government has called for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, while urging all parties to avoid nuclear escalation and end attacks on civilians, in a statement which appeared to maintain Beijing’s stance that the west is fuelling the conflict.
The 12-point position paper was released on Friday, on the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion and before an expected speech by the Chinese president, Xi Jinping. The paper stated that the international community should “create conditions and platforms” for negotiations to resume, and claimed that China would continue to “play a constructive role in this regard”.
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Moscow warns actions against its Moldova troops would be direct attack on Russia
Russia’s foreign ministry has warned that any actions threatening its troops in Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria would be seen as a direct attack on Russia itself and trigger an “adequate response”.
The ministry said:
Any action that threatens their security will be considered under international law as an attack on the Russian Federation.
Today’s warning came a day after Russia’s defence ministry alleged that Ukraine was planning to invade the breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria after staging a false-flag operation. The region of Transnistria broke away from then-Soviet Moldova in 1990 and is controlled by Russia separatists.
The Russian ministry claimed on Thursday that Ukraine – which borders Moldova – posed “a direct threat” to Russian troops in the Russian-speaking region.
Moldova’s government dismissed the accusation, calling for “calm and for information to be received [by the public] from official and credible sources of the Republic of Moldova”.
Separately, Russian state-run Tass news agency quoted Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Galuzin as saying the west had instructed Moldova’s government in Chisinau to stop all interaction with Transnistria’s Moscow-backed authorities.
Liudmyla Bikus recalled how she had tried to dissuade her son Andrii from joining the army.
That was in March, weeks after Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, one year ago today. “Andrii told me: ‘Mum if I don’t go then who will?’” Bikus said. She added:
He was a golden boy. The best son, husband, father and brother. He wanted to defend his country and his family.
Andrii was quickly dispatched to the eastern front. Less than three months later he was dead, fatally wounded on 6 June near the city of Lysychansk. A Russian shell landed on top of his artillery position. He was taken to hospital and died from blood loss on the operating table. Eight men from his company perished in the same lethal strike.
In September Andrii’s widow Natalia planted a blue and yellow flag with her late husband’s name on it in a memorial garden in central Kyiv. It said: “Eternal memory”. The non-official plot is on a grassy slope in the Maidan, the city’s independence square. On Thursday Bikus went to visit. She brought her daughter Alyona, Andrii’s sister.
They couldn’t find the flag. It had somehow got lost among hundreds of new ones, left by grieving relatives. Each marked a victim of Russia’s war: soldiers, civilians, volunteers. There were names, places, dates of birth and death. One said simply: “Anya from Mariupol”. Another: “Roman Stetsiura, 54th brigade, Bakhmut”. Nearby, under a tree, pigeons pecked in the February snow.
“A whole young generation is being wiped out. Guys are dying aged 19 and 20. They will never have children or grandchildren,” Bikus reflected. Andrii was 34. He was buried in Kyiv’s Berkovetske cemetery. His seven-year-old son Misha watched as his father’s coffin was lowered gently into the ground. “There are three or four funerals like ours every day,” Bikus said.
Read the full report by our foreign correspondent Luke Harding:
A number of Russian state-controlled media outlets have been instructed not to quote statements made by the founder of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, according to a report.
Prigozhin, who is one of Vladimir Putin’s most notorious associates, has spent much of the last week publicly criticising Russia’s top military leaders, accusing them of “high treason” and saying they have refused to provide him with munitions in an attempt to wipe out his fighting force.
The Wagner boss’s press service published a photo on Wednesday showing what he claimed were dozens of Wagner servicemen who had died because of “shell hunger”. It could not immediately be confirmed if the men had died or if the shot was staged.
A day later, Prigozhin said ammunition for his troops had been dispatched. The Russian defence ministry rejected his initial accusations about blocking ammunition as “absolutely untrue”.
Independent outlet Verstka, citing sources from the Kremlin-backed media and the Russian defence ministry, reports that Russian state journalists have been ordered not to quote Prigozhin unless absolutely necessary, Meduza writes.
Russian authorities have also prepared a “media smear campaign” against Prigozhin, the outlet says, but have decided not to launch it for the time being.
One source said:
In a meeting this week, the higher-ups repeated to us that the block on Prigozhin that we put in place in January remains in effect.
We’re banned from mentioning him unless it’s absolutely necessary, we’re banned from quoting him, except in cases where he’s the first person to report news about successes on the front line. For example, if they captured Soledar or reached the outskirts of Bakhmut.
Prigozhin has previously feuded with Russia’s top brass over military tactics and the right to recruit convicts from Russian prisons for the war in Ukraine. But his latest attack on military leaders such as the defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, marks an unusual level of infighting in Russia, where the Kremlin has sought to tamp down infighting among elites despite its lack of military success.
Prigozhin was conspicuously absent from a major speech Putin gave on Tuesday, and it appears that the ambitious catering magnate may have fallen out of favour. Earlier this year, he announced that he would suspend recruiting in Russian prisons, apparently due to pressure from the Russian defence ministry.
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The invasion of Ukraine has sparked interest in learning the country’s language among the British public, with the University of Sheffield launching new courses for students and the public, assisted by academics from Lviv.
The university says that its beginners classes in Ukrainian language and culture for the public are the first of its kind in the UK. The university will also offer an accelerated course in Ukrainian for students studying Slavonic languages at Sheffield’s modern languages school.
Neil Bermel, professor of Slavonic languages at Sheffield, said:
We have thousands of Ukrainians living in the UK, including a large number in Sheffield, because of the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, and many of the hosts are motivated to learn more about the language.
The courses are mainly funded by Sheffield, with teaching done by Ukrainian academics seconded from universities in Lviv. If the initial six-week course is a success, Prof Bermel said the university could continue to offer more.
Nataliia Faryna, one of course teachers, said:
For me, teaching Ukrainian language is a way to tell people about Ukraine, about our culture and worldview, to help those people who have already taken the first steps in the chosen direction get to know it.
I am infinitely grateful to the people of Britain for standing with Ukraine in the war and for their unwavering support.
Native English speakers will find Ukrainian “a steeper hill to climb compared to learning Spanish or French”, according to Bermel, with the intricacies of Slavonic grammar posing problems initially. But the Cyrillic alphabet used in Ukrainian is much easier to learn than people expect, he said.
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Ukraine’s prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, has tweeted about his visit to the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv with Poland’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, where the pair laid flowers for those who died for Ukraine.
The Polish premier’s visit comes as its president, Andrzej Duda, said his country has delivered the first Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
Together with 🇵🇱 Prime Minister @MorawieckiM we honoured the memory of the perished defenders of #Ukraine. We are grateful for the daily support of our friends. We remember all those who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of 🇺🇦. pic.twitter.com/hYlvN6qxIk
— Denys Shmyhal (@Denys_Shmyhal) February 24, 2023
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Japan is considering new sanctions against Russia in line with moves by other Group of Seven (G7) countries, the prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has said.
Speaking before a call with other G7 leaders and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy scheduled later today, Kishida said he would present new ideas for sanctions but did not give any details.
At a news conference to mark the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Kishida said Moscow was refusing to change its “hardline stance”, adding:
The international community must come together and show solidarity and impose strong sanctions against Russia.
Kishida, who will host the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May, said he was considering travelling to Ukraine in a show of solidarity.
Japan tightened sanctions against Russia last month, including banning some exports and freezing the assets of Russian officials and entities. Japanese firms have however maintained stakes in Russian oil and gas projects seen as critical to Japan’s energy supplies.
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The Ukrainian presidential adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, has said any “peace plan” to end the conflict must involve the withdrawal of Russian troops to the borders of 1991.
Posting to Twitter, he said a ceasefire that would result in the continued occupation of Russian territory “isn’t about peace, but about freezing the war, Ukraine’s defeat, next stages of genocide”.
Any "peace plan" with ceasefire only and, as a result, a new delimitation line and continued occupation of 🇺🇦 territory isn’t about peace, but about freezing the war, 🇺🇦 defeat, next stages of 🇷🇺 genocide.
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) February 24, 2023
🇺🇦 position is known - the withdrawal of 🇷🇺 troops to the borders of 1991
Poland has delivered its first Leopard tanks to Ukraine
Poland’s president, Andrzej Duda, has said his country has delivered its first Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
Duda, speaking in his opening remarks at a meeting of the national security council in Warsaw, said he was happy that Poland was the first nation to offer the advanced tanks to Ukraine.
Defence minister, Mariusz Błaszczak, also said at the council:
The prime minister couldn’t be here, he went to Kyiv to bring Leopard tanks which are the first batch delivered to Ukraine.
The government spokesperson, Piotr Müller, confirmed that the first Leopard tanks from Poland had gone to “our neighbours” in Ukraine.
Pierwsze Leopardy z Polski trafiły do naszych sąsiadów z Ukrainy. Dzisiejsza wizyta premiera @MorawieckiM ma wymierny charakter dla bezpieczeństwa Ukrainy i Europy.
— Piotr Müller (@PiotrMuller) February 24, 2023
Równolegle realizujemy kolejne dostawy i zamówienia dla polskiej armii. Dbamy o bezpieczeństwo Polski.
Poland has pledged 14 German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. It was unclear how many tanks have been delivered.
Poland’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, is in Kyiv today in a show of support to Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
Hello everyone, it’s Léonie Chao-Fong taking over the live blog from Martin Belam. Feel free to get in touch on Twitter or via email.
Updated
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has pledged to push for victory this year as Ukraine marks the sombre first anniversary of the Russian invasion, an event the president called “the longest day of our lives”.
Funerals for the recently killed were taking place across the country on Friday morning alongside church services to commemorate the fallen, in a grim reminder of the relentless attrition of the continuing war.
As morning broke on a day of commemorations and reflection, Zelenskiy struck a tone of grim defiance as he congratulated Ukrainians on their resilience in the face of Europe’s biggest and deadliest war since second world war. He said they had proven themselves to be invincible over “a year of pain, sorrow, faith and unity”.
Sitting at a desk, dressed in a blue sweatshirt with Ukraine’s trident emblem, Zelenskiy paid homage to cities that have become bywords for alleged Russian war crimes, such as Bucha, Irpin and Mariupol, describing them as “capitals of invincibility”.
“We survived the first day of the full-scale war. We didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but we clearly understood that for each tomorrow, you need to fight. And we fought,” he said in an early morning video address.
The longest day of our lives. The hardest day of our modern history. We woke up early and haven’t fallen asleep since.
The UK’s prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has led the country in a minute of silence to mark the anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
Sunak was joined outside No 10 by his wife, Akshata Murthy, Kyiv’s ambassador to Britain, Vadym Prystaiko, and dozens of Ukrainian troops being trained by the UK for the national pause.
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Summary of the day so far …
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said the military situation in Ukraine’s south is “quite dangerous” in some places while conditions in the east are “very difficult”. Speaking in a video address early on Friday on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian president said pro-Moscow forces had again shelled the southern city of Kherson, this time cutting off heat for 40,000 people.
Zelenskiy delivered a sombre message of defiance to his people, saying “we will defeat everyone”. In a video titled “the year of invincibility”, he recalled how he addressed Ukrainians a year ago in a hurried statement, as Kyiv and the world reeled from Russia’s act of war.
In a further address in Lithuania given via video link, Zelenskiy said Russia has to lose its war in Ukraine so it stops seeking to conquer territories it once controlled. “Russian revanchism must forever forget about Kyiv and Vilnius, about Chișinău and Warsaw, about our brothers in Latvia and Estonia, in Georgia and every other country that is now threatened,” he said.
Russia’s Wagner group of mercenaries has taken full control of the Ukrainian village of Berkhivka, just north-west of Bakhmut, Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed on Telegram.
The US has announced new military aid for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia and its supporters, including Chinese companies, to demonstrate resolve on the anniversary. The military assistance package will include several new drone and anti-drone systems the US has not previously made available as well as equipment to help Ukraine counter Russian electronic warfare. The US commerce department will list over 80 companies from Russia, China and other countries accused of sanctions busting, including “backfill activities in support of Russia’s defence sector”, replenishing material that Moscow has used up in the invasion.
China’s government has called for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, while urging all parties to avoid nuclear escalation and end attacks on civilians, in a statement which appeared to maintain Beijing’s stance that the west is fuelling the conflict and was dismissed as anodyne by analysts. The 12-point position paper on Ukraine was released on Friday morning. The paper, for which Ukraine was not consulted, was cautiously welcomed by Kyiv, but criticised by US officials and some analysts who noted the growing ties between China and Russia. On Wednesday, China’s top diplomat visited Moscow and pledged a deeper partnership.
China’s call for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia “doesn’t have much credibility” the secretary-general of Nato Jens Stoltenberg has said, as he warned China against supplying arms to the Kremlin war machine. Stoltenberg told reporters “China doesn’t have much credibility because they have not been able to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine and they also signed just days before the invasion an agreement between President Xi and President Putin on a limitless partnership with Russia.”
Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, said on Friday more talks between parliamentary groups were needed before Hungary’s ratification of Finland and Sweden’s Nato membership, which lawmakers will start debating next Wednesday.
The Polish prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, went to Kyiv on Friday in a show of support to Ukraine, government spokesperson Piotr Muller wrote on Twitter.
Denmark is “open” to the idea of sending fighter jets to Ukraine to help its war effort against the Russian invasion, the Danish defence minister said on Friday.
Britain is prepared to supply fighter jets to eastern European allies to enable them to release their Soviet fighters to Ukraine, defence secretary Ben Wallace has said. Wallace also said Britain is taking steps to rebuild its stockpiles of munitions which have been depleted by the war in Ukraine.
Britain has imposed an export ban on every piece of equipment Russia has been found using on the battlefield in Ukraine, the foreign secretary, James Cleverly, has announced.
King Charles III has issued a message praising the “remarkable courage and resilience” of Ukraine’s people. Charles said in his message: “It has now been a year that the people of Ukraine have suffered unimaginably from an unprovoked full-scale attack on their nation. They have shown truly remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy.”
The archbishop of Canterbury has said an end to the war in Ukraine cannot lead to Russia being treated like Germany after the first world war.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday that the only way for Moscow to eventually ensure a lasting peace with Ukraine was to push back its own borders as far as possible, “even if these are the borders of Poland.”
That is it from me, Martin Belam, for now. I shall be back later. Léonie Chao-Fong will be with you shortly to continue our live coverage.
Biden administration announces new US package of military aid and sanctions
World affairs editor Julian Borger reports for the Guardian:
The US has announced new military aid for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia and its supporters, including Chinese companies, to demonstrate resolve on the first anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion.
The military assistance package will include several new drone and anti-drone systems the US has not previously made available as well as equipment to help Ukraine counter Russian electronic warfare. The new drone include the Switchblade -600, a bigger version of this loitering munition (or “kamikaze drone”) than has already been supplied, as well as the CyberLux K8, Altius-600, and the Jump-20, which can be used for surveillance or adapted to carry bombs.
The US will also send more ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (Himars) and 155mm howitzer guns Washington has provided over the course of the year.
The US commerce department will list over 80 companies from Russia, China and other countries accused of sanctions busting, including “backfill activities in support of Russia’s defence sector”, replenishing material that Moscow has used up in the invasion. The Biden administration has become increasingly vocal about Chinese aid to the Russian war machine, and has raised concerns recently that Beijing is contemplating supplying weapons directly. The companies named would be blocked from purchasing hi-tech items like semiconductors made in the US, or using US technology abroad.
Tariffs will be raised on imports from Russia of more than 100 metals, minerals, and chemical products, including aluminum smelt or cast in Russia, worth an estimated $2.8bn in revenue to Moscow.
Other measures will be taken in concert with the G7 group of nations, including sanctions on over 200 individuals and entities in Russia, as well as Europe, Asia and the Middle East deemed to be supporting the Russian war effort. In that list are a dozen Russian financial institutions as well as Russian officials.
The G7 will also set up an “enforcement coordination mechanism” to stop evasion of G7 sanctions already imposed.
The US has this week begun disbursing $9.9bn in financial assistance to help fund healthcare, education, and emergency services, while the G7 as a whole has increased its commitment of budget and economic support to $39bn for this year. Part of the US assistance will be a third delivery by the energy department of equipment to help patch the Ukrainian power grid equipment which has been weakened by repeated Russian missile attacks over the course of the year.
Updated
Britain’s King Charles III has issued a message marking the first anniversary of the conflict in Ukraine praising the “remarkable courage and resilience” of the nation’s people.
PA Media reports Charles said in his message: “It has now been a year that the people of Ukraine have suffered unimaginably from an unprovoked full-scale attack on their nation. They have shown truly remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy.
“The world has watched in horror at all the unnecessary suffering inflicted upon Ukrainians, many of whom I have had the great pleasure of meeting here in the UK and, indeed, across the world, from Romania to Canada.
“Earlier this month I met President Zelenskiy at Buckingham Palace to express my personal support for the people of Ukraine. It is heartening that the United Kingdom, along with its allies, is doing everything possible to help at this most difficult time.
“Therefore, I can only hope the outpouring of solidarity from across the globe may bring not only practical aid, but also strength from the knowledge that, together, we stand united.”
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, marked the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on Friday with a sombre message of defiance to his people, saying “we will defeat everyone”. In a video released to the media titled “the year of invincibility”, he recalled how he addressed Ukrainians a year ago in a hurried statement, as Kyiv and the world reeled from Russia’s act of war. Here is a clip …
Here is a striking image from Serbia, where a pro-Ukrainian activist Čedomir Stojković has tried to deliver a bloody cake decorated with a skull to the Russian embassy in Belgrade.
US announces new package of assistance for Ukraine
The US has announced an additional package of security assistance for Ukraine. In a statement the Biden administration said that it would include “ several new Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) equipment to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences … and electronic warfare detection equipment to bolster Ukraine’s ability to repel Russia’s aggression.”
The statement says “The package also includes a large amount of ammunition for 155mm artillery systems and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) that have proved so effective on the battlefield, as well as mine clearing equipment and secure communications support equipment.”
Reuters reports that it has seen a draft document that suggests the US is also poised to announce for financial support for Moldova.
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Nick Ames and Larisa Kalik look today for us at the impact the war has had on the world of football in Ukraine. Among others, they spoke to Obolon Kyiv’s goalkeeper Nazariy Fedorivskyi. He had this to say:
Football unites. That has never been clearer than over the past year. It was so important that we could restart our league to give people an outlet outside of Russia’s invasion: something to watch and enjoy, even if not inside the stadiums, that brought people together. We hope that fans of our club, Obolon Kyiv, have been given some pleasure: we are top of the second tier, about to finish the mid-season break, and hope we can finish the job with promotion back to the top flight.
That is only part of what football can give. As players we have all adapted, trying to help, volunteer and donate in any way we can. I run a store in Kyiv that sells trainers and we have diverted a lot of our activities towards helping the military effort. Only last week we ran a charity event to raise funds for army dogs, while a percentage of every sale we make goes directly to the army.
My family have remained here ever since Russia invaded. They try to help too: my mum has a big company that makes fabric for military uniforms. My father was on Maidan Nezalezhnosti in 2013 during the Euromaidan protests and we all know what we are working so hard for.
Read more here: ‘The military call and I deliver’ – voices from Ukraine’s football after year of war
China 'doesn't have much credibility' on peace talks, says Nato
China’s call for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia “doesn’t have much credibility” the secretary-general of Nato has said, as he warned President Xi Jinping against supplying arms to the Kremlin war machine.
During a visit to Estonia, Jens Stoltenberg was asked about China’s 12-point position paper on Ukraine, which calls for the international community to “create conditions and platforms” for negotiations to resume.
Stoltenberg told reporters “China doesn’t have much credibility because they have not been able to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine and they also signed just days before the invasion an agreement between President Xi and President Putin on a limitless partnership with Russia.”
He added that “military support today is the way to achieve a peaceful agreement tomorrow” in a rebuke to China’s implied criticism of western weapons for Ukraine.
And he warned China against supplying Russia with weapons, saying it would be tantamount to supporting Russia’s illegal war of aggression, thereby violating the UN Charter. “We are monitoring closely what China is doing and we have seen signs that they may be considering sending lethal aid to Russia … this would be a very big mistake.”
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also gave a cool response to the Chinese paper. “You have to see [the Chinese statement of principles] against a specific backdrop and that is the backdrop that China has taken a side, by signing, for example, an unlimited friendship right before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started,” she said. The EU would look at the paper against that backdrop, she added.
Ukraine’s state broadcaster Suspilne reports that about 2,000 people held a demonstration near the Russian consulate in the Romanian city of Constanta. It posted to its official Telegram channel to say:
About 2,000 Ukrainians are present at the event, including many from Kherson. The event began with the national anthem of Ukraine. Then the participants honoured the memory of the dead with a moment of silence. They also called out “Kherson is Ukraine”, “Donbas is Ukraine”, hung up posters, and laid out toys with photos of children killed in the conflict.
Services will be held across the world today to remember those who have lost their lives in the war. Here are some images from Copenhagen and London.
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The Polish prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, went to Kyiv on Friday in a show of support to Ukraine, government spokesperson Piotr Muller wrote on Twitter.
Morawiecki and the Ukrainian prime minister laid flowers at the wall of remembrance of those who died for Ukraine, Reuters reports the chancellery of the prime minister said in a statement.
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Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been taking part in a ceremony in Kyiv to commemorate the one year anniversary of Russia’s latest invasion of Ukraine.
Denmark is “open” to the idea of sending fighter jets to Ukraine to help its war effort against the Russian invasion, the Danish defence minister said on Friday, according to state broadcaster DR.
“I won’t rule out that at some point it may be necessary to look at the contribution of fighter jets,” Reuters reports acting defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.
Russia has to lose its war in Ukraine so it stops seeking to conquer territories it once controlled, Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said in an address in Lithuania given via video link.
“Russian revanchism must forever forget about Kyiv and Vilnius, about Chișinău and Warsaw, about our brothers in Latvia and Estonia, in Georgia and every other country that is now threatened,” Reuters reports the Ukrainian president said.
Britain is prepared to supply fighter jets to eastern European allies to enable them to release their Soviet fighters to Ukraine, defence secretary Ben Wallace has said.
Nato allies have been reluctant to release modern western warplanes to Kyiv, arguing that it will take too long to train aircrew.
PA Media reports Wallace told Times Radio: “The other quick way that Ukraine can benefit from fighter jets is for those countries in Europe that have Russian Soviet fighter jets – MiG 29s or Su-24s – if they wish to donate we can use our fighter jets to backfill and provide security for them as a result.
“They are already configured to fight in a Nato way, where of course Ukraine isn’t.”
Wallace also said Britain is taking steps to rebuild its stockpiles of munitions which have been depleted by the war in Ukraine.
“This Ukraine war and the way Russia is fighting has shown across the west that our stockpiles over the last three decades have often borne the brunt of defence cuts and we have to restock those,” he told Sky News.
“We have now started to place orders to replenish them and where we haven’t placed orders we have started the work to make sure we have the supply chain or find alternative sources.”
The defence secretary added that Russia has been forced to adopt a “meat-grinder approach” after its forces failed to make a breakthrough in Ukraine.
He told listeners the Russian army was suffering “huge losses” on the battlefield for very little gain in territory.
“It will move effectively to a meat-grinder approach where it just keeps sacrificing its own soldiers for the vanity of the Kremlin
“That’s why we see huge losses amongst the Russian army and only gains, where we see gains, in metres not miles.”
Some images have been released this morning that show Ukrainian troops and their UK military instructors commemorating lives lost during the invasion at Lydd army camp in Kent, England.
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Britain imposes new export ban on Russian battlefield equipment
Britain has imposed an export ban on every piece of equipment Russia has been found using on the battlefield in Ukraine, the foreign secretary, James Cleverly, has announced.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the internationally coordinated package of sanctions includes aircraft parts, radio equipment and electronic components that can be used by the Russian military industrial complex.
PA Media reports the UK is also sanctioning senior executives at the Russian state-owned nuclear power company Rosatom, as well as bosses at Russia’s two largest defence companies and four banks.
Cleverly said: “Ukrainians are turning the tide on Russia but they cannot do it alone. That is why we must do more to help Ukraine win.”
“Today we are sanctioning the elites who run Putin’s key industries and committing to prohibit the export to Russia of every item Russia has been found using on the battlefield.”
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The archbishop of Canterbury has said an end to the war in Ukraine cannot lead to Russia being treated like Germany after the first world war.
Justin Welby, writing in the Daily Telegraph as Ukraine marks the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion, also said Kyiv must not be forced into a “Munich Agreement-like compromise”, a reference to the doomed settlement that failed to prevent the second world war.
“Provided a just peace between Russia and Ukraine can be achieved, there must be a security structure that makes another war unlikely,” he said. “Russia cannot end up like Germany after 1919; it must be able to recover and be secure without being allowed to repeat its aggression.
“The great powers must find ways, ideally through a conference, to design the conditions for long-term security, as was done in 1945. Today, it must be done for a new century, including UN reform, while the cost of conflict is fading from most European memories.”
The treaty of Versailles, signed in Paris in 1919, was seen as humiliating by many Germans, and some historians argue that it created an enduring bitterness that helped the Nazis rise to power.
But Welby also urged world leaders not to force Ukraine into an “unjust peace”, as he spoke about the impact of visiting Kyiv.
Read more here: Welby calls for just peace between Russia and Ukraine on war anniversary
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday that the only way for Moscow to eventually ensure a lasting peace with Ukraine was to push back its own borders as far as possible. Medvedev, a longtime ally of Putin and deputy chair of Russia’s security council, posted to the Telegram app to say:
It’s been a year since the special operation has been going on. A year since our servicemen restore order, peace and justice in our land, protect our people and destroy the roots of neo-nazism. Victory will be achieved. We all want this to happen as soon as possible. And that day will come. We will return our territories and reliably protect our people, who have suffered during the years of genocide and shelling.
Then there will be negotiations, which, I am sure, will become difficult and nervous. First of all, because the formal participants in the negotiations on the part of our enemy are one, and the actual leaders are completely different. And decisions for the Kyiv regime will, of course, not be made by some kind of Zelenskiy, if he is still alive, or his clique. The decision will be made across the ocean. By those in whose hands the supply of weapons to Kyiv and the allocation of money to maintain the remains of the Ukrainian economy.
It is so important to achieve all the goals of the special military operation. Push the borders of threats to our country as far as possible, even if these are the borders of Poland.
The British defence secretary, Ben Wallace, said the notion that China could supply arms to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would not help resolve the conflict, an outcome he was confident China wanted.
“It can’t help the peace if China effectively supplies the one nation that has broken the international law on the sovereignty of Ukraine and been inflicting war crimes,” Wallace told Sky News on Friday when asked about reports China could supply weapons to Russia.
“But I’m also confident that China is pretty clear that it wants this [war] to stop,” Reuters reports he added.
Updated
Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, said on Friday more talks between parliamentary groups were needed before Hungary’s ratification of Finland and Sweden’s Nato membership, which lawmakers will start debating next Wednesday.
Reuters reports that, speaking on public radio, Orbán said he had asked lawmakers of his nationalist Fidesz party to support their bid, adding however that some deputies were “not very enthusiastic” about the expansion and sought further discussions on the matter.
Orbán added that in the end, it should be made clear that Hungary supports Finland and Sweden’s Nato membership, but said Turkey’s concerns regarding Sweden’s entry should also be heard, otherwise the expansion effort could fail.
“Regarding Turkey, they are also our allies, and therefore we need to hear their voice,” Orbán said.
Ankara claims Stockholm has harboured what Turkey calls members of terrorist groups and recently indicated it would approve only Finland for Nato membership at present.
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The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, has posted to the Telegram messaging app to mark a year since the beginning of the war. He writes:
Friends! We have been living in a new reality for a year. Tragic and psychologically exhausting. But we are fighting, we believe in ourselves and our country. Therefore, we will overcome everything and win.
A year ago, Russia’s resolution of this barbaric war seemed unreal to most Ukrainians. But the capital was preparing for a possible offensive. Volunteers had joined the ranks of territorial defence [and] our military helped protect and hold the capital.
The city’s critical infrastructure worked despite shelling and the real threat of street fighting. Hospitals received the wounded from the suburbs, where fierce battles were fought. Grocery stores and community pharmacies stayed open. Businesses and caring citizens of Kyiv provided support to those who needed it.
Photojournalists Alessio Mamo, Anastasia Taylor-Lind, Ed Ram and Anastasia Vlasova have covered the situation in Ukraine since the Russian invasion last February. My colleague Lorenzo Tondo spoke to them about their experiences for this photo essay.
Ukraine’s state broadcaster Suspilne reports that overnight the city of Slovyansk in Donetsk was shelled by Russian forces. It says “private houses were damaged by shelling” but there were no reports of any injuries as a result.
Former British prime minister Gordon Brown writes for the Guardian today, saying that ‘we owe it to the people of Ukraine to bring Vladimir Putin to trial for war crimes’:
Special tribunals have been promoted by the US before. Exactly 30 years ago, with the US’s endorsement, the UN security council created the international criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. One year later, it supported the international criminal tribunal for Rwanda. An agreement between the government of Sierra Leone and the UN led to an independent special court and, with the assistance of the UN, special tribunals were created for Cambodia and Lebanon with US support.
But the most obvious parallel is the decision made by nine European allies that met in London in 1942 and drafted a resolution on German aggression, which led, at the war’s end, and with American support, to the creation of the international military tribunal and the trials of Nazi war criminals. The trial of Japanese war criminals followed.
Those who say prosecutions like this do not work should remember not only the verdicts of Nuremberg and Tokyo, but also that the notorious former president of Liberia, Charles Taylor, languishes in a British prison after a 50-year sentence was imposed upon him in 2012 for atrocities committed on his instruction in Sierra Leone. A similar verdict was likely to be imposed on the butcherous Serbian leader Slobodan Milošević, who was being tried in The Hague for war crimes when he died of a heart attack in his prison cell. And war tribunals can sentence criminals in their absence, making it difficult for them ever to travel abroad again.
Read more here: Gordon Brown – We owe it to the people of Ukraine to bring Vladimir Putin to trial for war crimes
First Edition, the Guardian’s daily briefing email, today features Archie Bland speaking to Patrick Wintour, our diplomatic editor, about the anniversary of the war and the way the world has responded to it. Here is an excerpt:
“Global south” is a “rather overused phrase”, Patrick said. It refers to such a varied group of countries – from India’s 1.4 billion people to African states with populations in the low millions – that any attempt to view them as uniform is bound to fall short. Still, it is clear that most of these countries are sceptical of joining western support of Ukraine, and see the war as a proxy conflict between world powers with an eye on the US’s history of military interventions and European imperialism as context rather than a necessary moral crusade.
The recent debate between allies over whether or not to provide Ukraine with tanks – which ended with a deal to send US and German-made armour and train Ukrainian soldiers to use it – is a decent miniature of the larger pattern in the west since the war began: serious disputes over the right approach, but agreement in the end.
This week, Patrick said, Joe Biden’s trip to Ukraine and the Munich security conference have reinforced that narrative. “The thing I drew from Munich, and then the Biden visit, is the degree to which the west has remained united in the face of the likelihood of a long war. The signs of fissure that we might have expected, with France and Germany as reluctant warriors in opposition to the Baltic nations, haven’t really materialised. I don’t think there’s an influential ‘peace party’ operating in Europe.”
Read more here: Friday briefing – Ukraine’s allies are settling in for the long haul as the war enters its second year
Paris lit up the Eiffel Tower in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukraine flag on Thursday night in a show of support to Ukraine and to mark the first anniversary of the war. Ukrainian ambassador to France, Vadym Omelchenko, spoke at the event. A couple of pictures of how it unfolded can be seen below.
Over the course of the last year, Putin has “met the bravery of Ukraine and the iron will of nations everywhere,” Joe Biden has said as the world marks the anniversary of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Biden also said that Nato, which Putin thought “would fracture and divide” is “stronger and more unified than ever before”.
One year ago, President Putin thought he would swiftly take Kyiv.
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 23, 2023
Then he met the bravery of Ukraine and the iron will of nations everywhere.
In another one of the conflict’s defining images, the bridge that linked Crimea to Russia burns after a truck bomb exploded on 8 October.
The Kerch Bridge was a personal Putin prestige project and the hit came the day after his 70th birthday. The blast destroyed the road into Crimea and left the railway link in flames.
Ukraine did not directly claim responsibility for the attack at the time, but s senior Ukrainian official posted a “happy birthday” message with images of destruction, and the country’s post office revealed – within hours – designs for a commemorative stamp, showing the bridge ablaze, raising questions about whether the explosion had been anticipated.
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Wagner claims to have taken control of Berkhivka village north-west of Bakhmut
Russia’s Wagner group of mercenaries has taken full control of the Ukrainian village of Berkhivka, just north-west of Bakhmut, Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said a few minutes ago on Telegram.
The Guardian has not verified this independently.
How will the war in Ukraine develop during 2023?
The Guardian has asked a panel of experts to weigh in.
Russian investigative journalists Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan say we are in for a long fight.
This war is going to last for a very long time – that feeling dawned on Russians at the end of 2022. Most of those who wanted to leave the country have already left. The rest, the thinking part of the population, will try to adjust to the circumstances in a state where even children are subject to compulsory propaganda in schools.
In 2023, the added feeling will be fear of those who enthusiastically went to war and now are getting back. Many will be angry and frustrated, and capable of further violence.
People will switch to a quiet survival strategy – something familiar to Russians who remember the Soviet Union. There will be an exodus into domestic life, to quiet conversations in kitchens, to a habit of being cautious about what you say publicly and on the phone or on social media. In short, keeping one’s head down.
The body bags arriving in Russian cities and towns will not add to sympathy for the plight of Ukrainians.
The rest of the panel’s responses are here:
Buildings and monuments across Ukraine have been illuminated in blue and yellow lights to commemorate the victims of Russia’s invasion.
In Kyiv, the main post office was lit up overnight during a light projection by Swiss artist Gerry Hofstetter.
Hofstetter is performing an art tour of the cities of Ukraine with illumination of buildings and monuments commemorating the full-scale Russian invasion in Ukraine.
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'Russian leadership likely pursuing a long-term operation', says UK MoD
The UK Ministry of Defence has posted its daily update. Today, it tracks Russia’s changing tactics since 2014, as it changed from subversion to invasion.
“In recent weeks, Russia has likely changed its approach again. Its campaign now likely primarily seeks to degrade the Ukrainian military, rather than being focused on seizing substantial new territory,” the ministry says.
“The Russian leadership is likely pursuing a long-term operation”.
Here is the full update:
Since 2014 Russia’s strategic goal in Ukraine has highly likely been consistent: to control its neighbour. Over 2014-2021, it pursued this objective through subversion, by fomenting an undeclared war in the Donbas, and by annexing Crimea.
On 24 February 2022, Russia pivoted to a new approach and launched a full-scale invasion which attempted to seize the whole country and depose its government.
By April 2022, Russia realised this had failed, and focused on expanding and formalising its rule over the Donbas and the south. It has made slow and extremely costly progress.
In recent weeks, Russia has likely changed its approach again. Its campaign now likely primarily seeks to degrade the Ukrainian military, rather than being focused on seizing substantial new territory.
The Russian leadership is likely pursuing a long-term operation where they bank that Russia’s advantages in population and resources will eventually exhaust Ukraine.
Zelenskiy has released a video as part of his message on the morning of the one year anniversary of the war:
On February 24, millions of us made a choice. Not a white flag, but the blue and yellow one. Not fleeing, but facing. Resisting & fighting.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2023
It was a year of pain, sorrow, faith, and unity. And this year, we remained invincible. We know that 2023 will be the year of our victory! pic.twitter.com/oInWvssjOI
China’s government has presented itself as a neutral party, one capable of easing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. However it has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, instead blaming the west for inflaming tensions, and some senior officials have repeatedly voiced explicit support for Russia’s aims.
This week the US government said it has intelligence suggesting Beijing is considering supplying weapons to Russia, and on Friday a report by Der Spiegel claimed Moscow was in negotiations with a Chinese company about supplying large quantities of strike drones. On Friday Beijing also abstained – for the fourth time – from a UN vote demanding Russia withdraw from Ukraine.
Bonnie Glaser, a China expert at the US-based German Marshall Fund, said the paper was largely a summary of its previously stated positions and statements, which were “replete with contradictions”.
“Beijing claims to support Ukraine’s sovereignty, but it has not criticised Russia’s annexations of Ukrainian territory,” Glaser said.
Glaser also noted the last of the 12 points, which states China stood ready to help in post-conflict reconstruction, “sounds like China is keen to get its [state-owned enterprises] into Ukraine, both to make a profit and promote Chinese influence via commercial and economic means”:
More now on China’s position paper on Ukraine, released a few hours ago.
China’s government has called for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, while urging all parties to avoid nuclear escalation and end attacks on civilians, in a statement which appeared to maintain Beijing’s stance that the west is fuelling the conflict and was dismissed as anodyne by analysts.
The 12-point position paper on Ukraine was released on Friday morning, on the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion, and ahead of an expected speech by Xi Jinping.
The paper, for which Ukraine was not consulted, was cautiously welcomed by Kyiv, but criticised by US officials and some analysts who noted the growing ties between China and Russia. On Thursday China’s top diplomat visited Moscow and pledged a deeper partnership.
The paper stated that the international community should “create conditions and platforms” for negotiations to resume, and claimed that China would continue to “play a constructive role in this regard”.
The paper did not address its suggestions to a particular side in the conflict, instead calling for all parties to “stay rational and exercise restraint”, and to “strictly abide by international humanitarian law, avoid attacking civilians or civilian facilities, protect women, children and other victims of the conflict”.
Some of the language appeared to be directed at the west. The paper warned against “expanding military blocs”, an apparent reference to Nato, and urged all parties to “avoid fanning the flames and aggravating tensions”, mirroring language that Beijing officials have repeatedly used to criticise the US’s support of Ukraine.
'This will be the year of our victory,' says Zelenskiy
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has just posted on Telegram saying, “On 24 February, millions of us made a choice. Not a white flag, but a blue and yellow flag. Not fleeing, but facing. Facing the enemy. Resistance and struggle.
“It was a year of pain, sorrow, faith and unity. And this is a year of our invincibility. We know that this will be the year of our victory!”
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After a 30% contraction in its economy in 2022, Ukraine will need $38bn by the end of year to cover its budget deficit alone, Reuters reports.
“We need these funds for critical costs: funding of salaries and pensions, education and medicine,” prime minister Denys Shmyhal told a recent government meeting.
“For economic stability and a successful fight against the enemy, Ukraine needs more help.”
On top of that, Kyiv has said it will need $17bn this year for urgent energy repairs and de-mining, and rebuilding some of its critical infrastructure.
The European Union is expected to provide the lion’s share of funds, at $18bn, to cover the budget deficit. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stepped up calls on Thursday for increased financial support to Ukraine as the United States readies an additional $10bn in economic assistance.
Kyiv has yet to identify sources of funding to meet those additional costs.
It is now pressing for a multibillion-dollar borrowing programme from the International Monetary Fund, with prime minister Denys Shmyhal saying he hopes to agree a $15bn multi-year program. IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said on Tuesday lending to Ukraine could be “sizeable”.
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Ukraine’s military has just released its latest operational report as of 6am this morning, claiming Russian forces launched strikes on dozens of settlements across Ukraine’s south and north-east in the past day.
Russian troops fired at more than 22 settlements in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region as well as more than 20 settlements in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, according to the latest intelligence report from Ukraine’s general staff of the armed forces.
Russia conducted “several unsuccessful offensive actions” including on the sought-after eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the military said.
About 25 settlements in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region also reportedly fell under artillery shelling.
The military also said mobile operators had disconnected access to the internet across some temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region.
In some areas of the temporarily occupied territories of the Luhansk region, mobile operators have disconnected access to the Internet network in order to prevent the transmission of data on the actions of Russian occupation troops and the fight against the patriotic Ukrainian population. Disruption of the Internet network must take place in all temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk region.”
“Russian warship, go fuck yourself”: these may be the most famous five words said in the war.
Ukrainian soldiers defending an island in the Black Sea from an air and sea bombardment reportedly told an officer on board a Russian navy warship to “go fuck yourself” when asked to surrender on 25 February 2022.
There were 13 border guards stationed on Snake Island, a roughly 16-hectare (40-acre) rocky island owned by Ukraine that sits about 186 miles (300km) west of Crimea, when Russian troops bombed the island on Thursday.
The exchange went like this, my colleague Luke Harding reported later:
Russian warship: “Snake Island. I, Russian warship, repeat the offer: lay down your arms and surrender, or you will be bombed. Have you understood me? Do you copy?”
First border guard to second border guard: “Well, that’s it then. Or do we need to tell them back to fuck off?”
Second border guard to first border guard: “Might as well.”
First border guard: “Russian warship, go fuck yourself.”
Soon after the conversation, the Ukrainian military command lost contact with the island. It assumed all of its defenders had been killed.
But days later it emerged that they had surrendered and were prisoners of war. They were freed in March that year.
In the meantime, Harding writes, the phrase “became a national slogan, a global meme and a symbol of Ukraine’s heroic defiance in the face of Russian aggression.”
You can read the full story of what happened to the men in Snake Island here:
G20 financial leaders must condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told Reuters in an interview on Friday.
Speaking on the first day of the G20 financial leaders meeting in Bengaluru, Le Maire also said that Europe was “thinking and working on new sanctions on Russia”.
Here is a video of the UN’s vote earlier on Russia withdrawing from Ukraine.
The United Nations overwhelmingly isolated Russia by calling for a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace”, demanding Russia withdraw its troops from Ukraine and stop fighting. Marking one year since Moscow’s invasion, the resolution was adopted with 141 votes in favour and 32 abstentions. Six countries joined Russia to vote no: Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua and Syria. China abstained from the vote – accusing the west of “adding fuel to the fire” – a day after Beijing’s top diplomat visited Moscow and pledged a deeper partnership with Russia:
On 9 March, two weeks after the invasion began, Russian forces bombed a maternity hospital in Mariupol.
The image of Mariana Vishegirskaya, heavily pregnant in cheerful pyjamas, her face smeered with blood, became a beacon of Russia’s ruthlessness.
Vishegirskaya was later targeted by a Russia disinformation campaign accusing her of faking the injuries. The Russian embassy in London claimed in a series of tweets that Vishegirskaya had been employed as an actor to stage the photos, including a photo of a completely different woman being stretchered out of the hospital.
On 11 March, she gave birth to a baby girl.
Let’s take a look at some of the images that have captured the events of the last year.
The first is Zelenskiy addressing Ukrainians on 24 February 2022. Appearing shortly after midnight, Ukraine’s president urged Putin to, “Listen to the voice of reason”.
“The Ukrainian people want peace,” he said.
Later that day, as Russia launched strikes accross the country, hitting 16 cities, Zelenskiy spoke again.
Putin “wants to destroy our country, and everything we have been building. But we know the strength of the Ukrainian people,” he said.
A few days later, Zelenskiy walked streets of Kyiv’s government district defiantly, proving that, contrary to rumours he had fled, he was still in the country – where he would remain for almost the entire first year of the war.
Today on the Guardian’s Today in Focus podcast: searching for the first casualty of the war in Ukraine.
Denys Tkach was killed in the early hours of 24 February 2022, an hour and twenty minutes before Putin announced a “special military operation” in Ukraine. He was serving on a military checkpoint near the village of Zorynivka in the eastern Luhansk region. Was this the moment that the war really began?
The Guardian’s chief reporter Daniel Boffey has been looking into what happened in the final hours of his life. He tells Michael Safi about meeting people who knew Tkach and learning about the complicated consequences of his death.
Ukraine welcomes China's position paper as 'a good sign' and calls for China's help
Ukraine has responded to China’s publication of a position paper on ending the war, saying it is a “good sign and a sign that China wants to be involved in the global efforts to stop the war in Ukraine,” Reuters reports, citing Leshchynska Zhanna, the charge d’affaires at the Ukrainian embassy in China.
Zhanna also called for China offering more support to Ukraine, saying, “Ukraine would like to see China on its side, at the moment hina is not supporting Ukraine efforts.”
Ukraine has a peace plan which it hopes China supports, she said.
Earlier this week, Zelenskiy said that he had not been shown what was then being referred to as China’s ‘peace plan’, but that he would be open to a meeting with Chinese leaders.
Updated
In cities around the world, people are protesting and commemorating the war.
In New York, a silent candlelight vigil took place front of the Russian embassy on Thursday night.
Ukrainian refugees and locals gathered for a ceremony in the village of Grabie, Wieliczka, Poland.
Closer to home, a commemoration event took place at the Lychakiv military cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine, where family members visited the graves of fallen soldiers.
Here are some of the pictures:
Here is the full story on Shakhtar Donetsk’s thrilling – and very well-timed – Europa League win:
Hi, Helen Sullivan back with you.
Some US lawmakers have expressed displeasure with South Africa’s decision to host joint military exercises with Russia and China on the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but said it would not scupper health partnerships between the two countries.
South Africa’s 10-day joint naval exercises with Russia and China, which are being held off South Africa’s country’s east coast and which South Africa has called routine, have fuelled domestic criticism and fears that the drills will endanger important relations with western partners.
Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham said any country that does such exercises are “gonna have problems,” but added that ending his country’s 20-year-old US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) programme aimed at HIV treatment and prevention could also hurt the United States. Graham was speaking at a press briefing in Johannesburg.
Graham said he would work with the Republican caucus to have Pepfar reauthorised this year “despite the problems going on here in South Africa with the Russians.”
Democratic Senator Chris Coons hinted that senators discussed the military exercises with South Africa’s foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, in a meeting on Wednesday, but added that “every other minute here has been about Pepfar.”
Pandor’s spokesperson Lunga Ngqengelele confirmed that the meeting took place but could not immediately confirm the discussions.
I’ll hand you back to my colleague Helen Sullivan who will continue to deliver all the latest developments as the day unfolds.
Before I go, here is a little more detail from US national security adviser Jake Sullivan’s interview with CNN this evening.
Sullivan told the broadcaster that the US has vowed to do “everything in our power to get you the equipment and the ammunition” that Ukraine needs.
That includes 155-millimetre artillery shells, 120-millimetre tank shells among other tools like Himars missiles.
He said the US and Nato countries aim to increase ammunition for Ukraine “so that the total supply of each of these different forms of ammunition grows month by month and we can continue to move to the front lines.”
He said countries are putting in “immense effort and resources” into ramping up ammunition, but noted that “this is not something we can do with the snap of a finger.”
US to provide Ukraine additional $2bn in security assistance
The US will provide Ukraine an additional $2bn in security assistance, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has said.
Sullivan made the announcement while speaking with the news broadcaster during a special live town hall to mark one year of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.
Sullivan said US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have had “deep conversations” about providing Ukraine with the weaponry and tools needed to fight the war against Russia.
We’re going to continue to look at what is necessary, and make sure that we provide what is necessary that Ukraine has what it needs to succeed on the battlefield.”
He said during Biden’s recent surprise visit to Ukraine, the US president “brought with him an announcement of more artillery, more ammunition, more Himars on the back of major announcements about American tanks and armoured vehicles.”
Sullivan also mentioned recently announced security assistance for Ukraine, as well as more technology.
We will keep working with them month by month to figure out if there are additional tools that they need,” Sullivan said.
The European Council has released this statement on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The European Union will continue to support Ukraine in political, economic, humanitarian, financial and military terms, including through swift coordinated procurement from European industry. We will also support Ukraine’s reconstruction, for which we will strive to use frozen and immobilised Russian assets in accordance with EU and international law.
We will further increase collective pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression. To this end we will adopt a tenth sanctions package and we will take steps against those who attempt to circumvent EU measures.
We support President Zelenskiy’s peace formula. Together with our international partners, we will make sure that Ukraine prevails, that international law is respected, that peace and Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders are restored, that Ukraine is rebuilt, and that justice is done.
Until that day, we will not rest.”
Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen raised the Ukrainian flag in front of the EU Commission.
The spirit and resolve of our Ukrainian friends are an inspiration to us all.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 23, 2023
Today we proudly raise their flag in front of the @EU_Commission
One day Ukraine will join our European family.
One day this flag will fly high everyday in Brussels, where it rightfully belongs. pic.twitter.com/j25Q9MZnF0
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Hello it’s Samantha Lock with you as my colleague Helen Sullivan takes a short break.
As I reflect on one year of covering the Russia-Ukraine war, here is a short snippet of what I recall on 24 February, 2022:
Putin’s forces invaded in an unprecedented pre-dawn attack that hit as most major European newsrooms were sleeping. It was about 2pm in Sydney when the first series of missiles were launched towards Kyiv.
I was live-streaming the event when Putin announced his invasion.
About an hour into the meeting when speakers took the floor to denounce Russia’s escalating tensions towards Ukraine, rumours began to circulate that an offensive against Ukraine had begun.
Back in Russia, President Vladimir Putin went on television to announce a “special military operation” in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region had commenced.
The first few hours of war were frantic as missiles began to rain down near Kyiv and Putin’s plan became clear.
Handing over to my colleagues in London as Europe woke up to a new reality, I never imagined the war would dominate the news agenda one year on.
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US to impose new sanctions
US President Joe Biden will meet virtually on Friday with G7 leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and announce new sanctions against those aiding Russia’s war effort, the White House said.
The same group came together last year hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, imposing the first round of a series of sanctions, Reuters reports.
“The G7 has become an anchor of our strong and united response to Russia,” White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Thursday. The leaders on Friday will discuss “how we continue supporting Ukraine” and ways to increase pressure on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine a year ago, she said.
The sanctions will include Russian banks, technology and defense sectors, and will impact both people and companies involved in the conflict, according to Jean-Pierre.
The US will also announce a fresh Ukrainian aid package that will include economic, security and energy support, she added.
Japanese chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Friday that Japan, as chair of the G7, wants to strengthen G7 ties and show firm cooperation with Ukraine.
Japan is set to host an online G7 summit later on Friday to discuss the conflict.
China's position paper on Ukraine calls for ceasefire, 'gradual de-escalation' and negotiations
We’re just getting the first look at what is inside China’s so-called “Peace plan” for Ukraine, which was notably not shared with Ukraine’s leaders.
So far, it looks fairly unsurprising, noting the dangers of nuclear weapons, which should be avoided, stressing the need for negotiations, and saying that ‘“one country’s security cannot be at the expense of another country’s security”. But one thing stands out, which is that China says it is opposed to “any unilateral sanctions not authorised by UN security council”.
Many countries have imposed their own sanctions against Russian products, including gas, selling products within Russia, and on wealthy Russians with links to the Kremlin. So it seems like the cat’s out of the bag on that one.
The paper also warns that, “nuclear weapons cannot be used and nuclear war cannot be fought”
Here are the dot points from the peace plan:
Respect sovereignty of all countries
Country’s security cannot be at expense of other countries’ security
Regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding military blocs
Cease fire and stop fighting, prevent Ukraine crisis from further aggravating or even getting out of control
Gradually promote de-escalation and easing of situation and finally reach comprehensive ceasefire
Dialogue, negotiation are only viable way to resolve Ukraine crisis
Maintain safety of nuclear power plants, oppose armed attacks on nuclear facilities
Nuclear weapons cannot be used and nuclear war cannot be fought
Prevent nuclear proliferation, avoid any nuclear crisis
We oppose development, use of biological and chemical weapons by any country under any circumstances
Oppose any unilateral sanctions not authorised by UN security council
On Thursday, Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said he had not seen any Chinese peace plan but he would welcome a meeting between Ukraine and China.
“We would like to meet with China,” he said during a news briefing in Kyiv with the visiting Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, on the eve of the first anniversary the invasion.
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Here is Zelenskiy on 25 February 2022, the day after Russia had invaded:
Zelenskiy, February 25, 2022: "Now I want to address the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Stand firmly. You are all we have. You are everything that protects our state. Glory to Ukraine" pic.twitter.com/q61AuMCPmZ
— Alina Bondarenko 🇺🇦 (@alina_bondarnk) February 23, 2023
More now on the significance of the UN general assembly’s resolution calling for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine, via AP.
The General Assembly has become the most important UN body dealing with Ukraine because the Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, is paralyzed by Russia’s veto power. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, unlike Security Council resolutions, but serve as a barometer of world opinion.
Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk football team qualifies for knockout stages of Europe League
In joyful news: the Ukrainian football team that has not played in their home city since 2014, qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League on Thursday with coach Igor Jovicevic hailing the win at French side Rennes as a “victory for Ukraine.”
AFP reports that Shakhtar defeated Rennes 5-4 in a penalty shootout after their playoff had ended 3-3 on aggregate and then went to extra-time.
The win comes on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“It was very important. This match was for you, Ukraine, it was for our country, for Ukraine,” said Croatian national Jovicevic who has worked in Ukraine for more than 20 years.
“I can’t find the words at the moment, we were in the game until the end,” he added.
“You could almost say that we died on the pitch, that we left our arms and legs there. This victory is a reward for our work.”
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The BBC’s correspondent for eastern Europe, Sarah Rainsford, has posted this picture taken the day before Russia invaded.
“The night before war. Everyone was nervous, but didn’t really believe what was coming. I barely slept that night,” she writes. “We were woken by the explosions.”
Kramatorsk, 23.02.22. The night before war. Everyone was nervous, but didn’t really believe what was coming. I barely slept that night. It was the night Zelensky told Russians not to invade, ‘but if you do you will see our faces, not our backs’
— Sarah Rainsford (@sarahrainsford) February 23, 2023
We were woken by the explosions pic.twitter.com/DwAL7dPVtB
Russia 'in talks with Chinese manufacturer about buying drones' – Der Spiegel
Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine has reported that Russia is in talks with a Chinese manufacturer about buying 100 drones for use in the war, with a delivery date of April, but has not cited any specific sources.
Over the past week the US has suggested China may be considering supplying weapons to Russia, while warning that any such move would have severe consequences. Beijing has denied this, saying they would continue to take “an objective and impartial stance” on the conflict.
Der Spiegel said a Chinese drone manufacturer was prepared to make 100 prototypes of a model that they claim could carry a 35-50kg warhead.
It claims the drone is similar to Iran’s Shaheed-136, which Russia has used to launch countless attacks on Ukraine, claiming hundreds of lives and damaging civilian infrastructure.
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Moldova dismisses Russian accusations of Ukrainian invasion plans
Moldova’s government has dismissed an accusation by Russia’s defence ministry that Ukraine is planning to invade the breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria after staging a false-flag operation.
“We call for calm and for information to be received [by the public] from official and credible sources of the Republic of Moldova,” the government said in a statement.
“Our institutions cooperate with foreign partners and in the case of threats to the country, the public will be promptly informed,” adding that the government “do not confirm” the Russian defence ministry’s allegations.
On Thursday, Russia’s defence ministry claimed Ukraine – which borders Moldova – posed “a direct threat” to Russian troops in the Russian-speaking region.
A look at military casualties in the war so far
At least 137,780 Russian military personnel have died in the war so far, according to the Ukrainian military, with around 824Russian soldiers dying a day this month, a marked increase from recent months and a figure not seen since the start of the war.
A recent estimate by the US military said that each side had probably suffered about 100,000 deaths and injuries, putting the total number of deaths and casualties for Russia and Ukraine at 200,000.
Russia’s own figure for casualties is far lower than the Ukrainian estimate, with The Conversation pointing out this month that Russia has provided only two official reports since the start of the war.
“The most recent was on 21 September 2022, when defence minister Sergei Shoigu said that 5,937 Russian troops had been killed. Mediazona, an independent Russian publication which is working with the BBC News Russian service to monitor the death toll, puts the figure at 12,538 deaths. So the numbers vary wildly from source to source.”
Ukraine has also refrained from providing casualty figures, but in August last year, the armed forces’ commander-in-chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, said that 9,000 have died.
As security studies expert Lily Hamourtziadou explains in the conversation:
Casualty reporting is a powerful tool of war propaganda, seen most starkly in the tit-for-tat accounts of two incidents around the new year. Ukraine claimed that its rocket attack on a Russian army barracks in Makiivka near Donetsk in the east of Ukraine on New Year’s Eve killed 400 Russian soldiers.
Russia countered that the attack, while deadly, had killed only about 60 troops (although prominent pro-Moscow blogger and former military leader Igor Girkin reportedly claimed the death toll was in the hundreds).
Here is more on the clash between Germany and China the UN on Thursday.
The German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, clashed with Chinese diplomats on Thursday, passionately rejecting their claim that the west was adding fuel to the fire by arming Ukraine.
Baerbock said it was time for China to tell Russia to stop its aggression.
The deputy Chinese envoy to the UN, Dai Bing, insisted the west was worsening the situation by arming Ukraine, saying: “Adding fuel to the fire will only exacerbate tensions”.
His remarks provoked Baerbock into a powerful rebuttal rejecting his claim that the west was indulging in military spending at the expense of other priorities more important to ordinary people.
She asked: “Why on earth would we do that?”, adding: “We did not want this war. We did not choose this war.” She said her government “would much rather focus every bit of our energy and money in fixing our schools, in fighting the climate crisis and strengthening social justice”, adding: “The truth is that if Russia stops fighting, the war will end, If Ukraine stops this fighting, Ukraine ends.”
She said the suffering, including “abduction, rape and torture”, would continue every day, and that the world’s gaping wounds, caused by hunger, inflation and energy shortages, would not end.
In Australia, where Friday 24 February is well under way, the government has announced it would send more drones to Ukraine and impose new targeted financial sanctions against 90 Russian individuals and 40 entities.
The latest targets include Russian ministers overseeing energy, resources and industry sectors, and key players in defence including arms manufacturer Kalashnikov Concern, aviation firm Tupolev and submarine developer Admiralty Shipyards.
“We continue to stand with Ukraine,” prime minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement. “(The uncrewed aerial systems) provide a battlefield intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”
He did not specify how many drones would be shipped, the models involved, and whether they would be armed.
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China abstains from UN vote on Russian withdrawal
The UN has overwhelmingly voted to call for Russia to immediately and unconditionally withdraw from Ukraine, marking one year since Moscow’s invasion by calling for a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace”.
The resolution on Thursday night saw 141 countries in favour with seven against and 32 abstentions, including China.
The Chinese deputy envoy to the UN, Dai Bing, said the west was throwing fuel on to the fire by arming Ukraine. That would only exacerbate tensions, he said.
Leading the abstention camp, he claimed: “One year into the Ukraine crisis, the conflict is still grinding on and growing in scale, wreaking havoc to countless lives. A spillover effect is intensifying. We are deeply worried about this. China’s position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected. The purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed. The legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously.”
His remarks provoked a powerful rebuttal from Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, rejecting his claim that the west was indulging in military spending at the expense of other priorities more important to ordinary people. She said it was specious to claim the military aid was worsening the crisis since if the west did not supply aid, the aggressor would be free to capture Ukraine and destroy the UN Charter.
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‘We will rebuild’ says Zelenskiy on anniversary of invasion
The military situation in Ukraine’s south is quite dangerous in some places while conditions in the east are very difficult, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said in a video address early on Friday.
Zelenskiy, speaking on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion, said pro-Moscow forces had again shelled the southern city of Kherson, this time cutting off heat for 40,000 people.
“As for the south – in some places the situation is quite dangerous but our troops have the means to respond to the occupiers,” he said, summarising events on the various fronts.
“In the east – it’s very difficult, painful. But we are doing everything to withstand it,” he continued, in reference to repeated attacks by Russian forces seeking to capture the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Zelenskiy said repair work in Kherson, which is being shelled on a daily basis, would continue until heat was restored.
“And we will rebuild. No matter what these Russian terrorists and bastards may do, we will rebuild and restore everything,” he said.
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Welcome and summary
On Friday morning, Ukrainians will wake up to an anniversary like no other: a year since Russia invaded their country and began a campaign of terror, striking civilian areas, targeting critical infrastructure and weaponising the freezing cold. Russia has been accused of war crimes including torture, raping women and children and carrying out mass executions.
At least 8,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, though the true number is likely much higher. This figure includes 487 children. The war has turned more than eight million Ukrainians into refugees.
Today, we will be looking back at the first year of the war in Ukraine, as well as reporting the day’s news and analysis on what might come next.
My name is Helen Sullivan, and I’ll be bringing you news, photos and analysis throughout the day.
If you would like to get in touch, the best place to find me is on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
Here are the key recent developments in the war:
Ukraine is bracing for possible fresh Russian attacks on key cities amid fears that the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, intends to mark the anniversary with a series of strikes. Ukraine’s general staff said Russian forces had stepped up attacks along the eastern frontline and its forces had repelled 90 assaults in the east and north-east in the past 24 hours.
The Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, has said the alliance has seen signs that China is considering supplying arms to Russia and warned Beijing against taking any such step. Stoltenberg said potential Chinese assistance would amount to providing direct “support to a blatant violation of international law, and of course [as] a member of the UN security council China should not in any way support violation of the UN charter or international law.”
Vladimir Putin has said Russia will deploy its new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, nicknamed “Satan 2”, as well as roll out hypersonic missiles and new nuclear submarines. In an address to mark the “Defender of the Fatherland” holiday on Thursday, Putin said Russia would “pay increased attention” to boost its nuclear forces on land, sea and in the air.
Spain will send Ukraine six Leopard tanks and is willing to increase that number to 10 if necessary, the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, confirmed during a visit to Kyiv on Thursday. “We will stay by Ukraine’s side until peace returns to Europe,” he said, adding that Spain had offered to train Ukrainian soldiers in how to use the tanks.
Finland will send three Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, the country’s defence ministry has said. The announcement comes after Sweden’s defence minister said it was open to sending some of its Leopard battle tanks. The Czech government has also announced a further military aid shipment to Ukraine.
A US army official has said it could take up to two years for M1 Abrams tanks to be delivered to Ukraine. The US announced in January that it would supply Ukraine with 31 advanced M1 Abrams tanks worth $400m in a matter of months. But plans were still being drawn up on how and when they would be delivered, the US army secretary, Christine Wormuth, said.
The EU’s top diplomats have failed to finalise the bloc’s tenth round of sanctions against Russia, which would ban the sale of more military-critical technologies. Talks are understood to be stuck on the question of rubber trade with Russia. The US president, Joe Biden, will meet virtually on Friday with G7 leaders and Volodymyr Zelenskiy to announce new sanctions against those aiding Russia’s war effort, the White House says.
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