This is what you need to know today about the Russian invasion of Ukraine
The Ukrainian Defense Forces reported that they destroyed so far in the war 3375 tanks, 6609 armored fighting vehicles2,373 artillery systems, 475 anti-aircraft missiles, 247 air defense systems and aircraft – 299 helicopters – 288 operational-tactical UAVs – 2,035 cruise missiles – 873 ships – 18 automotive equipment and tanker trucks – 5,235 units, special equipment ‒ 230. In addition, it is estimated that the Russian army losses in Ukraine amount to about 147,470 casualties.
According to the local media The Kyiv Independent“Russian troops also carried out 27 airstrikes and fired 75 rocket launcher rounds at communities and civilian infrastructure,” the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on February 25.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization warned that the Kremlin is carrying out a “disinformation war” for the sole purpose of intimidating the West.
NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General, Mircea GeoanaHe stated that Russiadoes not have the capacity” nor the intention to turn the war in Ukraine into a nuclear conflict, and that it is only using rhetoric to intimidate the West.
Geoana considers that Russia, from what she was able to observe the Atlantic Alliancehas neither the ability nor the intention to escalate the war in Ukraine to a war with NATO, since there is a “great asymmetry of power”, as he recounted in an interview with the radio station Romania News.
“It would be somewhat illogical, because the asymmetry of power between the Russian Federationweakened by this conflict and with much less efficient military capabilities than they themselves thought, in comparison with NATO, which is much stronger, much more modern and much more powerful, does not make sense”, remarked the former Foreign Minister Romanian.
For Geoana, Russia is carrying out a “disinformation war” intoxicating Western public opinion with “the noise of nuclear rhetoric”.
“Our reading is that the Kremlin is basically trying to intimidate Western public opinion.many of them with a pacifist tradition, many of us worried, naturally, when you hear that rhetoric from the top of the Kremlin, obviously, there is a certain feeling of concern”, Geoana insisted.
In this sense, and in an effort to dispel Western concern, the NATO Undersecretary General reiterated that “militarily speaking” NATO sees no signs or indications of a nuclear escalation.
However, he warned that Russia will continue to try to intimidate the Atlantic Alliance countries to undermine their unity and willingness to support the Ukrainians. “It’s two different things, a lot of communication, less real ability to act.”, he remarked.
As reported at different times in 2022, different Videos broadcast on social networks show how Russian police officers arrest civilians who approach to demonstrate against the war in Ukraine at the monument inspired by one of the most recognized writers of Ukrainian literature, Lesya Ukrainka.
As reported by the local media The Kyiv Independentthere were Russian attacks that injured at least four people in Sumy Oblast in the last hours. “Russian troops attacked a taxi near Khotin in Sumy Oblastinjuring four civilians, reported the military administration of Sumy Oblast”, published that medium.
In the last few hours Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada announced that the country will provide additional military support to Ukraine. This was announced by Trudeau and added that the North American country would donate four additional Leopard 2 main battle tanks, as reported by the chain CTV News.
Thus, the additional tanks will bring the total number of tanks provided by Canada to eight. Canada will also provide an armored recovery vehicle, as well as more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
Ukraine’s victory in the war against Russia will be “inevitable“If the Western countries, which have already begun to deliver heavy tanks, continue their help,” the president said on Friday Volodimir Zelenskyon the first anniversary of the invasion of his country.
“If our partners keep their word and respect the deadlines, an inevitable victory awaits us (…). I really want it to be this year”, the president said at a press conference in kyiv.
Poland announced that it had already sent four Leopard 2 heavy tanks to Ukraine and promised to send 60 Polish PT-91 tanks “very soon”. While Sweden indicated that it will deliver “approximately” ten Leopards and Germany announced the shipment of another four, in addition to the fourteen already planned to reinforce the Ukrainian resistance.
Defense Minister of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikovpromised a general counter-offensive, at a time when fierce fighting is taking place in the east.
The European Union (EU) today approved a tenth round of sanctions against Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, which began exactly one year ago, the Swedish presidency of the bloc announced.
The measures provide forrestrictions against individuals or entities supporting war, disseminating propaganda, or supplying Russia with drones used in war“, accurate.
An EU diplomat told AFP that the list included 120 individuals and entities, as well as three Russian banks. Details will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union after the final approval of the sanctions on Saturday.
The EU announcement follows similar announcements from the US and UK. The G7, which brings together the world’s most advanced economies, also threatened countries that help Russia evade sanctions with “heavy costs”. The European bloc has already approved nine packages of sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
Several EU diplomats explained to AFP that the agreement this Friday was slowed down after complaints from Poland, which considered the sanctions insufficient. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in kyiv on Friday that Brussels’ proposals were “too soft, too weak”.
At least 54 people have been arrested this Friday in 14 Russian cities, including Moscow and Saint Petersburg, for showing their disapproval of the war in Ukraine within the framework of its anniversary, as reported by the OVD-Info organization.
Specifically, 18 people were arrested by the Russian Police in Saint Petersburg for carrying out individual anti-war actions, such as placing flowers at the monument to the Ukrainian painter Taras Shevchenko, writing on the snow or picketing.
THE NATION