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Russian War In Ukraine
Poland confirms the Russian missile violated its airspace.
Polish Armed Forces General Staff states that a Russian missile entered their airspace.
"Everything points to the conclusion that a Russian missile has entered Polish airspace. We have confirmation of this on national and allied radars," — General Wiesław Kukuła.
An unidentified aerial object entered Polish airspace.
According to the reports from Polish Operation Command, during the massive Russian missile and drone attack.
Google translation of the original post below:
"In the morning, an unidentified airborne object entered the airspace of the Republic of Poland from the side of the border with Ukraine, and from the moment it crossed the border until the signal disappeared, it was observed by the radars of the country's air defense system.
In accordance with applicable procedures, the Operational Commander of the Armed Forces mobilized the available forces and resources at his disposal."
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US expects Kyiv to fall in few days.
"After the air and artillery end and the ground war really starts, I think Kyiv falls in just a few days," — unonimous source from the US intelligence according to Newsweek.
Russians seize Chernobyl NPP
"After a violent fight, we lost control of the Chernobyl area. The state of the equipment and objects of the former Chernobyl NPP, as well as of the confinement and of the nuclear waste storage facilities is unknown." — Mykhailo Podolyak.
Start of the Siege of Mariupol
The siege of Mariupol started on 24 February 2022 and lasted till 20 May. Russian Armed Forces and pro-russian separatists from the so called Donetsk People's Republic clashing with the Ukrainian Armed Forces over control of Mariupol, located in southeastern Ukraine. The nearly three-month-long siege resulted in invadors' victory, leading to Ukraine losing control of Mariupol.
The remaining Ukrainian forces in the city surrendered at the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works on 20 May 2022, following orders to stop fighting.
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"Russian warship, go fuck yourself"
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported that Russian forces took control of Snake Island after a combined naval and air assault.
It was initially believed that all thirteen border guards stationed on the island had perished, following their refusal to surrender to a Russian warship.
This act of defiance gained widespread attention when a recording of the guards rejecting a surrender offer went viral on social media.
A second wave of Russian missile bombings targeted the cities of Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Lviv. Heavy ground fighting was reported in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
US Defence officials say Russia plans to "decapitate" Ukrainian government.
"The indications we've seen thus far, in just these first, not even 12 hours, are in keeping with our assessment earlier, that would be his goal: to decapitate this government," — a US official said on condition of unonimity.
Belarus permitted Russian forces to enter Ukraine from the north at 11:00 (UTC+2).
Ukrainian border authorities noted a breach at the Vilcha crossing in Kyiv Oblast, and their counterparts in Zhytomyr Oblast faced bombardment from Russian rocket launchers.
Additionally, an unmarked helicopter was reported to have attacked border posts in Slavutych, originating from Belarus.
Russian airborne troops take control of Antonov Airport.
"They've allowed us to come in and be with them as they defend the perimeter of this airbase, where the helicopter-borne troops were landed in the early hours of the morning to make and perform an air bridge to allow for more troops to come in," — Matthew Chance, CNN reporter.
Putin announces "Special Military Operation"
In a televised speech early Thursday morning, Moscow time, Vladimir Putin declared the commencement of a "special military operation" in eastern Ukraine. The Russian president stated that his government does not intend to occupy Ukraine, but he also commanded Ukrainian soldiers in the Donbas region to disarm.
Putin attributed all potential for "possible bloodshed" to the Ukrainian government in Kyiv, stressed "demilitarisation and denazification" as the purpose of the operation.
Airports in eastern Ukrainian cities close their airspace. Nearly 3 millions Ukrainians that remain in Russia are advised to leave.
Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik, the respective heads of the so-called People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, request help “in repelling the aggression of the Ukrainian armed forces”, according to the Interfax news agency, quoting Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Several analysts suggest these requests could be the pretext Russia uses to launch an attack on Ukraine.
Ukraine declares State of Emergency
Ukraine prepares for a potential full-scale war, with its parliament approving a state of emergency decree that allowing authorities to "impose curfews and restrictions on movement, block rallies and ban political parties and organisations". The decree is set to start on 24 February for 30 days.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg indicates Russia may be planning a full-scale attack on Ukraine.
The Russian Ambassador is summoned by the UK Foreign Office following Russia’s recognition of two so-called “people's republics” and the movement of military forces into Ukraine.
The UK Prime Minister announces sanctions against Russia and updates on UK support to Ukraine, including military training and financial assistance.
"Training 22,000 soldiers, supplying 2,000 anti-tank missiles, and providing £100 million for economic reform and energy independence.” — Johnson.
A new guarantee of up to $500 million of Development Bank financing is also announced.
The US, EU, and Germany impose sanctions on Russia, with Germany halting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline certification.
Putin Recognizes Independence of Donetsk and Luhansk
President Putin recognizes the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk, sending troops into these territories, describing this as “peacekeeping duties.”
Treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance were signed by Russia and the leaders of the LPR and DPR. Several Western leaders condemn the move, calling it a violation of the Minsk peace deal.
The UN Security Council holds an emergency session at the request of
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson discusses the situation with President Zelenskyy, warning of a possible invasion.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace reports an increase in Russian troops around Ukraine.
"As of 09.00 hours today, there are now more than 110 battalion tactical groups massed around Ukraine’s borders with Russia and Belarus. In addition, in the Black Sea Fleet, there are two
amphibious groups, nine cruise missile-equipped Russian ships and a further four cruise missile-capable vessels in the Caspian sea." — Wallace.
President Macron proposes a summit to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis, with Presidents Putin and Biden. The leaders agree in principle.
The US remains open to diplomacy but warns of a potential Russian invasion.
Satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies appear to show new deployments of Russian troops and armoured equipment, with some just 15 kilometres from the border with Ukraine.
Russia conducts strategic nuclear forces exercises overseen by Putin. he Kremlin says Russia successfully test-launched hypersonic and cruise missiles at sea and land-based targets during the exercises.
“The main purpose of the exercise is to train the strategic offensive forces’ actions aimed at delivering a guaranteed defeat of the enemy.” — Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson meets President Zelenskyy at the Munich security conference, emphasizing the UK's support for Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Liz Truss warns of a potential Russian invasion. G7 foreign ministers issue a joint statement urging diplomacy.
US ambassador to the OSCE reports Russia has up to 190,000 military personnel in and near Ukraine.
"We assess that Russia probably has massed between 169,000-190,000 personnel in and near Ukraine as compared with about 100,000 on January 30. [...] This is the most significant military mobilization in Europe since the Second World War."
President Biden says he is "convinced" that Vladimir Putin has decided to invade Ukraine, but there's still time to stop it with diplomacy.
He warned that the US and its allies would put heavy sanctions on Russia if they attack, but they won't send soldiers to Ukraine.
Blinken addresses UN Security Council on Ukraine Crisis
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addresses the UN Security Council, stating Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine "in the coming days".
“We do not see that happening on the ground. Our information indicates clearly that these forces, including ground troops, aircraft, ships, are preparing to launch an attack against Ukraine in the coming days.” — Blinken
The UK announces a substantial contribution to NATO's presence in Eastern Europe, doubling the
number of personnel in Estonia and sending additional equipment, including tanks and armoured fighting vehicles.
The UK Foreign Secretary criticizes the Duma's request for Russian recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent.
"The Duma’s request that Vladimir Putin recognises the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent shows flagrant disregard for Russia’s commitments under the Minsk agreements. ... We urge Russia to end its pattern of destabilising behaviour against Ukraine and to implement the commitments it has freely signed up to, including the Minsk agreements." — Truss
President Putin confirms a “partial” drawdown of Russian forces near Ukraine's border, signaling potential de-escalation.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, however, sees no immediate sign of withdrawal: "So far we have not seen any de-escalation on the ground from the Russian side. Over the last weeks and days we have seen the opposite."
Russia's ambassador to the EU suggests Moscow might launch a “counterattack” to protect Russian citizens in eastern Ukraine.
Russia has always said it's not involved in the conflict, even though there's a lot of evidence saying it is. Chizhov called the claims that Russian soldiers were in the Donbas area a “lie.” He also warned that if the conflict there got worse suddenly, or if Ukraine did something provocative, the Kremlin might act.
“What I mean by provocation is that they may stage an incident against the self-proclaimed Donbas republics, provoking them, and then hitting them with all their might, thus provoking Russia to react in order to avoid humanitarian catastrophe on its borders.” — Chizhov
G7 Finance Ministers discuss the situation in Ukraine, focusing on identifying a diplomatic path towards de-escalation and issue a statement: "supporting the ongoing efforts to urgently
identify a diplomatic path towards de-escalation".
In an interview with NBC News, US President Biden tells American citizens to leave Ukraine, citing the absence of a military rescue plan.
Reports indicate Russia has 140,000 troops near Ukraine and in Crimea.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace meets with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, the first such meeting since 2013.
The UK Prime Minister holds a virtual meeting with leaders from various countries, pledging to intensify diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
The UK Government advises against all travel to Ukraine and urges British nationals in Ukraine to leave.
"The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority, which is why we have updated our travel advice. We urge British nationals in Ukraine to leave now via commercial means while they remain available."
During a visit to Moscow, the UK Foreign Secretary meets her Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and condemns Russia’s build-up of forces on the border with Ukraine.
The UK Prime Minister visits Brussels and Warsaw to call for solidarity with NATO allies.
Russia begins its largest military exercise since the Cold War, with joint maneuvers with Belarus near the Belarus-Ukraine border.
Russia’s Defence Ministry says the exercise will continue until 20 February and includes 30,000 personnel, warplanes, missile launchers and live-fire exercises, with a focus on “suppressing and repelling external aggression during a defensive operation.”
The White House denounces the operation as yet another escalation of tensions along the Ukraine border.
President Biden urges Americans in Ukraine to leave immediately, citing the risk of a rapid escalation.
"American citizens should leave now. It’s not like we’re dealing with a terrorist organisation. We’re dealing with one of the largest armies in the world," — Biden.
After meeting with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv, President Macron suggests the Russia-Ukraine standoff could take months to resolve. Meanwhile, Russian naval forces move towards the Black Sea.
Marcon claims Putin gave him personal assurances not to escalate in Ukraine. Zelenskiy said he was sceptical about Putin's commitment to peace: “I do not really trust words. I believe that every politician can be transparent by taking concrete steps.”
Talks between Macron and Putin fail to produce Ukraine breakthrough.
French President Emmanuel Macron meets President Putin at the Kremlin, discussing efforts to prevent a Russian attack on Ukraine and warning of the need for quick action to avoid escalation.
Macron is due to travel to Kyiv on Tuesday, where he will hold talks with the president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. He said he plans to brief Putin on the results of the discussions in a phone call.
Meeting at the start of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, Presidents Xi Jinping of China and Vladimir Putin of Russia sign a joint statement calling on the West to “abandon the ideologised approaches of the cold war”.
In a joint statement released by the Kremlin, Putin and Xi call on NATO to rule out expansion in eastern Europe, denounce the formation of security blocs in the Asia Pacific region, and criticise the Aukus trilateral security pact between the US, UK and Australia.
The US announces it will send an additional 2,000 soldiers to Europe and reposition a further 1,000 from Germany to Romania, to ensure the “robust defence” of European NATO members amid the ongoing impasse between Russia and Ukraine.
Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby says:
“These movements are unmistakable signals to the world that we stand ready to reassure our NATO allies and deter and defend against any aggression.”
The UK Prime Minister speaks with Russian President Putin, expressing concern over Russian activity on the Ukrainian border and warning against further incursions.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Zelenskyy hold a joint press conference in Kyiv, where Johnson emphasizes the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty: “unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s
sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders”.
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announces the UK is supplying Ukraine with anti-tank missiles and deploying a training team. The UK also plans to increase investment in Ukraine's future, including boosting naval capabilities.
President Biden announces additional US troop deployments to eastern Europe. President Putin says the US and NATO have not addressed Moscow’s main security demands.
"The key question was ignored – how the United States and its allies intend to follow the principle of security integrity … that no one should strengthen their security at the expense of another country’s security," — Kremlin
The US and NATO deliver written responses to Russia’s security demands, rejecting the halt of NATO’s eastward expansion but opening to arms control talks.
Blinken states:
"The document we’ve delivered includes concerns of the United States and our allies and partners about Russia’s actions that undermine security, a principled and pragmatic evaluation of the concerns that Russia has raised, and our own proposals for areas where we may be able to find common ground,"
The UK Prime Minister outlines measures being considered in response to the Ukraine situation, including imposing heavy economic sanctions on Russia.
Boris Johnson: "For months, Britain has worked in lockstep with the United States and our allies across Europe to avoid such a disaster. We have sought to combine dialogue with deterrence, emphasising how a united western alliance would exact a forbidding price for any Russian incursion into Ukraine, including by imposing heavy economic sanctions. At the same time we stand ready, as we always have, to address any legitimate Russian concerns through honest diplomacy."
The US places 8,500 troops on heightened alert to deploy to Europe as NATO reinforces its eastern borders, amid fears of a Russian attack on Kyiv.
The UK Foreign Office reveals evidence of a plot to install a pro-Russian government in Ukraine, identifying former Ukrainian MP Yevhen Murayev as the potential leader.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace meets with Nordic partners amid aggressive Russian behavior on the border of Ukraine.
Wallace states: "Our discussions were clear that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a strategic mistake, violating the most basic freedoms and sovereignty."
Cyberattack targets Ukrainian Government websites
A massive cyberattack renders Ukrainian government websites temporarily unavailable, with a message warning Ukrainians of leaked personal data.
The message reads, in part: “Be afraid and expect the worst. This is for your past, present and future.”
The OSCE Permanent Council meets, welcoming the proposal to use the OSCE as a forum for revitalized European security talks, irrespective of the situation in Ukraine.
The NATO-Russia Council meets.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss gave a statement on the NATO-Russia Council talks:
"The UK and our Allies made clear to Russia that its military build-up on the border of Ukraine and in illegally annexed Crimea is unacceptable. We condemn Russia’s aggression and destabilising activity."
"Russia is in violation of its commitments through its recent actions on the borders of Ukraine and in illegally annexed Crimea."
"The only way forward is for Russia to de-escalate and engage in meaningful discussions."
US and Russian diplomats hold negotiations in Geneva over Ukraine. The talks are described as “useful” and “very professional”, but no progress is made on fundamental disagreements.
The UK Foreign Secretary condemns Russia's “aggressive and inflammatory rhetoric against Ukraine and NATO”, stating that NATO is a defensive alliance and praising Ukraine's restraint in face of Russian provocation.
Russia presents a list of security demands to lower tensions in Europe and defuse the crisis over Ukraine, including a guarantee that Ukraine will never gain NATO membership and NATO will cease military activities in Eastern Europe and Ukraine.
The UK Prime Minister speaks with President Putin, expressing concern over the build-up of Russian forces on Ukraine’s border and emphasizing the importance of diplomatic channels to de-escalate tensions.
G7 Foreign Ministers and the EU High Representative issue a statement on Russia’s military build-up and rhetoric towards Ukraine, calling for de-escalation and diplomatic solutions.
The statement calls on Russia to “de-escalate, pursue diplomatic channels, and abide by its international commitments on transparency of military activities”.
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss holds talks with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba amidst Russian aggression, marking the first UK-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue.
This is the first UK-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue, part of an agreement signed by the Prime Minister and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy during his visit to London a year earlier.
US President Joe Biden warns Russia of sweeping Western economic sanctions in the event of an invasion of Ukraine. In a virtual meeting with President Putin, Biden expresses concerns about Russia's military escalation near Ukraine.
Ukraine uses a Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drone in combat for the first time in eastern Ukraine, which leads to anger from Russia.
During a visit to the White House, President Zelenskyy presses US President Biden for a commitment to NATO membership, but receives little encouragement.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to President Zelenskyy, expressing the UK’s concerns about recent Russian military activity on Ukraine’s border and in Crimea.
President Zelenskyy’s government imposes sanctions on several Ukrainian politicians with close ties to Russian President Putin, including Viktor Medvedchuk.
On the same day, the UK reaffirms its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, marking the seventh anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea with a new project to support Ukrainians in Crimea.
The UK-Ukraine Political, Free Trade, and Strategic Partnership Agreement enters into force.
During a visit to the UK, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Boris Johnson sign a Strategic Partnership Agreement, strengthening UK-Ukraine cooperation.
President Zelenskyy approves Ukraine’s new National Security Strategy, which aims for NATO membership and a distinctive partnership with the alliance.
Ukraine is granted NATO Enhanced Opportunity Partner Status
the North Atlantic Council recognised Ukraine as an Enhanced Opportunities Partner. This status is part of NATO’s Partnership Interoperability Initiative, which aims to maintain and deepen cooperation between Allies and partners that have made significant contributions to NATO-led operations and missions.
As a NATO partner, Ukraine has provided troops to Allied operations, including in Afghanistan and Kosovo, as well as to the NATO Response Force and NATO exercises. Allies highly value these significant contributions, which demonstrate Ukraine’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic security.
As an Enhanced Opportunities Partner, Ukraine will benefit from tailor-made opportunities to help sustain such contributions. This includes enhanced access to interoperability programmes and exercises, and more sharing of information, including lessons learned.
“This decision recognises Ukraine’s strong contributions to NATO missions, and demonstrates the Alliance’s continued commitment to its partnerships despite the COVID-19 pandemic,” said NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu.
$5bn Lifeline for Ukraine from IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approves a $5bn lifeline to support Ukraine during a pandemic-induced recession.
The Defence secretary updates the House of Commons on Operation Orbital. UK Armed Forces personnel have trained over 17,500 members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2015.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson calls President Zelenskyy and reiterates the UK’s support in ending the conflict in the Donbas.
On the fifth anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt condemns Russia and reaffirms that "The UK will never
recognise Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and we call on Russia to end their illegitimate control of the peninsula and their attempts to redraw the boundaries of
Europe.