Listed here are the important thing developments on the 1,089th day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Right here is the scenario on Monday, February 17:
Combating
- At the very least 4 folks had been killed by Ukrainian drone strikes in two separate incidents in Russia’s Belgorod area, regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov mentioned. In a single incident, a girl was killed immediately by an assault on the automobile she was travelling in. Three males had been later killed in the same assault.
- Extra Ukrainian drone assaults later injured one individual and broken 12 homes in Russia’s Krasnodar area, mentioned Governor Veniamin Kondratyev.
- Moscow’s Ministry of Defence mentioned 9 Ukrainian drones had been shot down over the Sea of Azov and Russia’s southern area of Krasnodar.
- The Ukrainian navy mentioned Russia launched 143 drones in an in a single day assault, out of which 95 had been shot down. An additional 46 failed to achieve their targets, the air pressure mentioned.
- At the very least one individual was injured, and a vital infrastructure constructing caught fireplace, in southern Ukraine’s Mykolaiv as a result of in a single day Russian assaults, mentioned the area’s Governor Vitaliy Kim. A number of homes in Kyiv had been additionally broken, the State Emergency Service mentioned.
- A thermal energy plant was broken within the assaults on Mykolaiv, leaving tens of 1000’s of individuals with out heating in below-freezing temperatures, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal mentioned. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned a minimum of 100,000 folks had been with out energy.
- In accordance with Ukraine’s navy, Russian forces intensified their assaults in jap Ukraine, primarily focusing on the logistics hub of Pokrovsk. The navy mentioned it recorded 261 clashes inside 24 hours.
- Viktor Tregubov, a spokesperson for Ukrainian troops within the Pokrovsk space, mentioned Kyiv reclaimed a mining village close to town. “A lot of counterattacks by Ukrainian forces have had some success,” he mentioned, including that they might “already discuss in regards to the liberation of the village of Pishchane”.
- Moldova mentioned two Russian drones violated the nation’s airspace once more, simply days after the Russian ambassador was summoned to the Ministry of Overseas Affairs over the same incident.
Politics and diplomacy
- Zelenskyy mentioned he had instructed his ministers to not signal an settlement with the USA to provide uncommon earth minerals in change for earlier and future US assist. He informed The Related Press information company that the settlement didn’t defend Ukraine’s pursuits.
- White Home Nationwide Safety Council spokesperson Brian Hughes, with out confirming the supply made to Kyiv, mentioned Zelenskyy was being “short-sighted” in regards to the matter and {that a} minerals deal would enable US taxpayers to “recoup” earlier assist whereas additionally rising Ukraine’s economic system.
- Zelenskyy warned that Russia would “wage warfare” on NATO ought to US President Donald Trump cut back assist for the navy alliance. He additionally mentioned Trump had the leverage to push Russian President Vladimir Putin into ceasefire talks, however mentioned Putin ought to by no means be trusted.
- Reuters reported that the US requested European allies what they required from Washington to take part in Ukraine’s safety preparations. In accordance with the information company, the demarche had six factors and questions asking which nations would contribute to the ensures and which allies can be keen to deploy troops to Kyiv.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned the upcoming days would decide Putin’s seriousness about peace in Ukraine, including that he spoke with Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov relating to what he described because the tough working situations of the US Embassy in Moscow.
- Rubio additionally mentioned the method in the direction of peace couldn’t be accomplished with only one assembly and that it might not be straightforward. Whereas talks have been scheduled between Russia and the US in Saudi Arabia, Rubio mentioned he was unsure who Moscow was sending and added “nothing has been finalised but”.
- Zelenskyy mentioned he would reject any peace settlement between the US and Russia that didn’t embody Kyiv’s enter.
- Ukrainian First Deputy Minister of Financial Improvement, Commerce and Agriculture Yulia Svyrydenko mentioned a delegation travelled to Saudi Arabia for conferences earlier than a attainable Zelenskyy go to. In accordance with the minister, the delegation would concentrate on strengthening financial ties as Kyiv “prepares to signal essential financial agreements with nations within the area”.
- Zelenskyy introduced that he arrived within the United Arab Emirates for talks on the repatriation of captured Ukrainians, funding and financial cooperation.
- French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned he spoke on the cellphone with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to debate Saudi Arabia’s function within the Russia-Ukraine peace talks and what function Europe ought to play.
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz mentioned Europeans wouldn’t assist any peace course of that helps the demilitarisation of Ukraine. “Ukraine should stay a democratic, sovereign nation – no selections might be remodeled their heads,” he mentioned.
- Trump mentioned he may meet with Putin “very quickly” to debate Russia’s warfare on Ukraine. He additionally mentioned he believes the Russian and Ukrainian presidents wish to see an finish to combating.
- Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that the US and Russia would maintain talks in Saudi Arabia over the warfare in Ukraine on Tuesday.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned he was ready to ship troops to Kyiv and contribute to safety ensures if it grew to become vital to guard his nation and Europe’s safety.
