• “Vote for early Russian presidential elections in Zaporizhzhia region”
• Meloni-Zelensky, bilateral agreement on security cooperation signed
• The G7: “Unwavering support for Ukraine.” We will increase the cost of war for Moscow.”
1:25 p.m. – Borrell: “Putin and Trump can win, Europe is waking up”
“Putin and Trump have not won yet, but they can do it, Europe should wake up.” This was emphasized by the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El País on the occasion of the second anniversary of the war in the Ukraine. “Two years ago, Putin started a war that he thought could last a week. He arrived 8 kilometers from the Kiev parliament, but was rejected. “He hasn't won the war, but he hasn't lost it yet either,” emphasized Borrell, adding that the conflict “could be decided in the next few months.” “If we want Ukraine to resist, we need to provide more aid and faster.” Member countries must balance their support with the war they face. Russia is an anti-democratic regime capable of wiping out opponents like Navalny or eliminating its defectors on European soil. Do we want it to arrive at the gates of Europe and control 36% of the world wheat market?,” Borrell continued. Regarding the United States, Borrell calls it “barbaric” that Trump “called on Russia to attack countries that do not respect its conditions.” And that there are Republicans who compare the war in Ukraine with the migration pressure from Mexico.” Finally, Borrell focuses on the war in Gaza and does not shy away from taking a swipe at Ursula von der Leyen for the mission she carried out in the first days of the conflict “Your trip with an extremely pro-Israel position, without representing anyone other than to speak out on an international matter, has come at a high geopolitical cost for Europe.”
1:23 p.m. – Kiev Prime Minister: “We will receive 12 billion from the USA in 2024”
Ukraine expects up to $12 billion in financial aid from the United States this year. This was stated by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, as reported by Rbc Ukraine. “We expect $11.8 billion in aid from the USA in 2024. “We have agreed on this.” “We expect a decision from Congress after a two-week break in work,” said the Prime Minister.
1:18 p.m. – Kiev: “Sure that the USA will not abandon us”
Ukraine is convinced that the US will not “give up” in the face of Russia and will ultimately vote for the $60 billion in aid that has been blocked in Congress for months: this was stated by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. “We are deeply convinced that the United States will not abandon Ukraine in terms of financial and military support,” the prime minister said during a forum in Kiev dedicated to the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of the country.
12.17 p.m. – The Ukrainian minister: “Half of the Western weapons come too late”
Half of the weapons promised by the West to Ukraine are delivered late. This was stated by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. “Currently, a commitment does not equal fulfillment, 50% of commitments are not delivered on time,” he said at a forum marking the second anniversary of the Russian invasion.
11:51 a.m. – Russian attack in Donetsk region destroys 12 residential buildings
A massive Russian attack with S-300 missiles was launched overnight in Konstantinovka in the Donetsk region: many buildings were destroyed with S-300 missiles, including a train station and a church. This was reported by local police citing Ukrainska Pravda. “After the Russian bombing, the station building, a church, 12 residential buildings, 21 shops, 19 commercial pavilions, three educational institutions, 2 administrative buildings, a post office and a kiosk were destroyed.” A 75-year-old woman who was in her house was injured .
11:07 a.m. – IWS report: The Russians are advancing, but with very high losses
Russian forces are gaining ground in Ukraine, but so far with “very limited and extremely costly” victories. This was stated by the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its latest report, which said the situation in Ukraine was “serious but far from desperate.” “Probably more Russian soldiers died during the capture of Avdiivka than during the entire Soviet-Afghan war,” says ISW information reported by Ukrainian media.
10.45 a.m. – Kiev: “We expect an invitation to join NATO as early as this summer”
Ukraine expects to receive an invitation to join NATO at the alliance summit planned in Washington this summer. The head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, wrote this on his Telegram channel. “Only inviting Ukraine to NATO will give Europe and the world a real chance to return to real security.” “Failure to invite Ukraine to the summit in Washington can really open the door to a new escalation in the Middle East and other regions of our planet give the impetus,” wrote Yermak. Yesterday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine would join the alliance, “it's not a question of if, but when.”
09:27 – Warning from the French 007 about the interference of the Russian services
A few months before the opening of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the French secret services (DGSI) are calling on the police to report any form of “interference” from Vladimir Putin's Russia. The messages disseminated through these operations, the French 007s emphasize, “generally aim to reinforce the disagreements and internal fractures of French society,” using every kind of topic, from pension reform to positions in the Israeli-Palestinian one Conflict denigration of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, specifies the DGSI. They can also serve to “openly support Russia’s interests and denounce the foreign policy of France, the United States or NATO.” The Paris 007 does not rule out possible “acts of a violent nature” such as “threats or physical attacks, particularly against Ukrainian citizens or Russian dissidents.” Just today it was revealed that the dozens of Star of David pendants found in Paris last fall were part of a destabilization operation led by Moscow, specifically the Russian “Fifth Service of the FSB,” which is responsible for international operations.
9:13 a.m. – Zaporizhia attacked 263 times in 24 hours
The Russian army attacked ten settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region 263 times within 24 hours, killing one civilian and injuring two others, Governor Ivan Fyodorov reported on Telegram. “On February 24, an enemy shell caused the death of a 61-year-old in Huliaypole. “Two people were injured,” Fedorov said, quoted by Ukrinform. Russian troops attacked Robotyne, Vilnyansk, Huliaypole, Novoandriivka, Novodanylivka, Malynivka, Mala Tokmachka with 60 drones and 14 MLRS. Last week, the Russian army attacked 3,200 towns and villages in Zaporizhia Oblast.
Today six Ukrainian drones were destroyed by Russian forces over the Belgorod region and the Black Sea, the Defense Ministry reported. In particular, it is explained that in the early hours of Sunday, air defense systems intercepted and shot down two drones over the Russian region of Belgorod and four more over the Black Sea.
9:03 a.m. – Private homes bombed in Kherson, one civilian killed
Two residential buildings, private houses and educational institutions were damaged by Russian bombing in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine yesterday, killing one civilian and injuring six others. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported this on Facebook, quoted by Ukrinform. The Kremlin Army's rockets targeted Bilozerka, Shlyakhove, Novoberyslav, Havrylivka, Sadove, Stanislav, Osokorivka and the city of Kherson. «The Russian army attacked residential areas, in particular two residential buildings and seven private houses were damaged. One person was killed and six others were injured,” he said.
8:11 a.m. – “Vote for early Russian presidential elections in Zaporizhzhia”
“Early voting for the Russian presidential elections has begun in the Zaporizhia region. Residents of remote rural settlements and people living near the military contact line will be the first to cast their votes, said Galina Katyushchenko, chairwoman of the regional election commission, quoted by Tass. “The members of the District Election Commission will go door to door in the areas adjacent to the front line with ballot papers and ballot boxes. To vote, voters must present a Russian or Ukrainian passport, based on the regional election commission's decision. The area was “cleansed” of opponents: Yevgeny Balitsky, the Kremlin-appointed local “governor,” said in an interview with propagandist Nadana Friedrichson that Russian military and occupation officials had forcibly deported Ukrainians who spoke out against Russia, reported the independent newspaper The Insider.
7:43 a.m. – Kiev: “Waves of Russian drones in the south, center and west”
“During the night, the Russian army, with the help of Black Sea tactical aviation, tried to destroy our anti-aircraft defenses with Kh-31P missiles launched over the sea. Then waves of drones followed, first towards the southern Mykolaiv region, then towards the central and western regions,” said the head of the press center of the Southern Forces of the Ukrainian Army, Colonel Nataliya Humenyuk, citing media. Ukrainian anti-aircraft missiles were deployed in the Poltava, Kiev, Khmelnytsky, Mykolaiv, Khmelnytskyi, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
6:24 a.m. – Russia, 6 Ukrainian drones shot down during the night
During the night, Russian anti-aircraft systems shot down two Ukrainian drones over Belgorod Oblast and four more over the Black Sea, the Moscow Defense Minister reported, quoted by Tass. “During the night, a terrorist attack by the Kiev regime was foiled, in which an attempt was made to hit two areas on the territory of the Russian Federation with some drones,” the minister said. The aircraft were intercepted and destroyed by the air defense forces operating in the territory of Belgorod Oblast and in the waters of the Black Sea.
3:57 a.m. – The German Foreign Minister has to seek refuge in Odessa due to an air raid
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had to interrupt her visit to Odessa to seek refuge after air raid sirens sounded in the city. The alarm rang this evening at 9:48 p.m. local time, 8:48 p.m. in Italy. The Green representative, along with members of her delegation and other guests, were quickly taken to the shelter of her hotel, reports the Dpa agency. Witnesses report an explosion in the Odessa region, although it is unclear whether it was caused by a rocket or Ukrainian anti-aircraft fire. There is also a lack of information about possible damage or victims. Shortly before Baerbock's visit, two Russian drone attacks in the Odessa area left a total of four dead and several injured. On the occasion of the second anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion, the head of German diplomacy was traveling in Ukraine together with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
3:32 a.m. – Zelensky thanks Meloni: “Best wishes for a productive G7 presidency”
“Giorgia, I am grateful to you, thank you very much for your leadership and for coming to us today in this format. I wish Italy a productive G7 presidency.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in his speech at the G7 -Meeting together with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Kiev, according to a video published on his X-profile.
03:00 – Navalny's body is returned to his mother. Julia: “Putin insults him when he is dead”
(by Fabrizio Dragosei) In the end, the firmness of Aleksej Navalny's mother Lyudmila prevailed. After days of back and forth, misleading and blackmail, according to the woman herself, the authorities gave in. Yesterday the body of the enemy who died mysteriously in a prison in the Far North was returned to his family. However, it is not yet clear whether a public funeral will be permitted. This could be very dangerous for Vladimir Putin, because it is clear that anyone who wants to express their opposition to the president's policies would use this opportunity. We have already seen that the simple act of laying flowers has become an occasion for hidden disagreements. And that's how it was interpreted by the police, who made hundreds of arrests.
02:32 a.m. – Navalny's body handed over, spokeswoman: “We don't know whether the authorities will disrupt the funeral”
Spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh wrote on But it is still unclear whether the funeral will be public or, as investigators expect, will have to remain secret. “We still don't know if the authorities will intervene in the possibility that they will be celebrated the way the family wants and how Aleksei deserves. We will keep you updated if there is any news,” the spokesperson concludes.
1:51 a.m. – Meloni and Zelensky sign a bilateral agreement on security cooperation
Meetings with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are always meaningful. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote this on his social media channels after receiving Meloni in Kiev. “Today we have an important result. We have signed a bilateral security cooperation agreement between Ukraine and Italy. “This document creates a solid foundation for the long-term security partnership of our countries,” the Ukrainian president said. “We also discussed further support for Ukraine within the framework of the Italian G7 presidency. “I am grateful to Italy for supporting Ukraine and our defense capabilities, as well as for reconstruction efforts and approval of military assistance until the end of 2024,” Zelensky said.
01:24 – G7: “Russia should immediately cease hostilities.” Approve financial aid to Ukraine in 2024 »
“We very much welcome the EU’s approval of the €50 billion facility for Ukraine.” It will provide crucial financial support to Ukraine until 2027. We also welcome the additional economic support that others have advocated as we seek to close Ukraine's remaining financial gap, as well as Japan's rapid deployment of its fiscal support in the first quarter of 2024 and Canada's new funding. “We urge the approval of additional support to close Ukraine’s remaining budget gap for 2024.” This can be read in the final statement of today’s G7 meeting. “Russia must not succeed in destroying Ukraine’s economy to make up for its mistakes on the battlefield. We will help Ukraine meet its urgent financial needs and help other vulnerable countries seriously affected by the effects of the war with Russia.”
“We demand that Russia immediately end its war of aggression and completely and unconditionally withdraw its armed forces from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine.” We call on all countries to respect international law and not in any way condone Russia’s attempts to acquire territory by force or to tolerate.”
“We will neither recognize the past and future so-called 'elections' held by Russia in the territories of Ukraine, nor their results.” “Russia's declared intention to take part in the presidential elections in the Ukrainian regions is a shameful violation of sovereignty Of Ukraine.”
00:49 – Von der Leyen: “Extraordinary resistance of the Ukrainian people”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Ukraine's “extraordinary resistance” as she arrived in Kiev today on the second anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion. “In Kiev on the anniversary of the second year of the Russian war against Ukraine. And to celebrate the extraordinary resistance of the Ukrainian people,” von der Leyen said on social media. “More than ever, we stand firmly on Ukraine’s side.” Financially, economically, militarily, morally. Until the country is finally free.