Ukraine-Russia War – Updates and Analysis (26/02 – 27/02)

Danish PM says volunteers can join foreign brigades in Ukraine

23:34 – 27 Feb 2022

Denmark says it will let Danish volunteers join foreign brigades to help fight with Ukraine against the Russian forces.

This comes after Ukraine formed an ‘international brigade’ earlier today to be made up of foreign volunteers helping with their defence against Russia.

Video: School in Kharkiv burning down

23:24 – 27 Feb 2022

UPS and FedEx to halt all shipments to Russia and Ukraine

22:53 – 27 Feb 2022

United Parcel Service Inc and FedEx have said they will be halting all delivery services to Russia and Ukraine.

These companies had already temporarily suspended all services to Ukraine at the start of the Russian invasion.

Ukraine issue to be sent to General Assembly

22:44 – Feb 27 2022

The UN Security Council has voted to send the Ukraine issue to the UN General Assembly for a Special Emergency Session due to Russia’s vote causing a permanent member deadlock in the council.

Russia has been vetoing UN resolutions on the matter due to its position within the security council, including a US resolution to condemn Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine.

This is the first time since 1982 that a UN Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly had to be convened.

Large explosion in Cherkasy 

22:23 – Feb 27 2022

Ukraine says 352 civilians killed

22:15 – Feb 27 2022

Ukraine’s Ministry of Interior has sent out a statement claiming that 352 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the start of the Russian invasion. Another 1,684 people, including 116 children, have been injured.

UK PM confirms Ukrainians will be able to bring family to join them

22:09 – Fri 27 Feb

Boris Johnson has confirmed any Ukrainian person that ends up settling in the United Kingdom will be able to bring any immediate family members to join them.

The statement said that this option will be of “benefit many thousands of people who at this moment are making desperate choices about their future”.

Berdyansk has been occupied

22:03 – Fri 27 Feb

Oleksandr Svidlo, the mayor of the Berdyansk, has said that Russian forces have entered and taken control of the town.

The town is home to 100,000 people and is the second-largest port in Ukraine east of Crimea.

“Some time ago, armed soldiers entered the executive committee building and introduced themselves as soldiers of the Russian army, they informed us that all administrative buildings were under their control and that they were taking control of the executive committee building.”

Svidlo continued to say that Russian officials were asking his office to simply continue working as if everything was normal, “but under the control of armed men. I consider this proposal unacceptable, so we, as all members of the operational headquarters, left the building of the executive committee.”

“Do not believe the lies,” Kyiv is not surrounded

21:55 – 27 Feb 2022

Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv is saying that the city is not actually surrounded, and any reports saying that are simply Russian “disinformation”.

“Russian internet publications spread information with reference to me that Kyiv is allegedly surrounded and evacuation of people is impossible.” “Do not believe lies! Trust information only from official sources.”

Switzerland poised to freeze Russian assets

21:46 – 27 Feb 2022

“It is very probable that the government will decide to do so tomorrow, but I cannot anticipate decisions not yet taken,” said Swiss President Ignazio Cassis this evening.

The president went on to say that Switzerland’s neutrality must always be preserved and that the country stood ready to offer itself for any diplomatic talks if the meeting between Ukrainian and Russian officials on the Belarusian border do not succeed.

us advises citizens to leave russia immediately

21:30 – 27 Feb 2022

The US State Department is recommending Americans to leave Russia as soon as possible.

“A growing number of airlines are canceling flights into and out of Russia, and a number of nations have shut down their airspace to Russian aircraft.” “U.S. citizens should consider leaving Russia as soon as possible via commercial means,” the agency stated on Sunday.

russia will not stop at ukraine – josep borrell

21:25 – 27 Feb 2022

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy leader, expressed concern that the crisis sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could spread to neighboring nations such as Moldova, Georgia, and the Western Balkans.

“We are concerned about what can happen in the region,” Borrell said following a virtual meeting of EU foreign ministers on the crisis in Brussels.

“We are concerned that Russia will not stop in Ukraine, and that Russian influence will spread to neighboring nations.”

uk to send £40m in humanitarian aid to ukraine

21:15 – 27 Feb 2022

Boris Johnson stated that the UK will send an additional £40 million in humanitarian help to Ukraine.

The money will go to aid organizations to help them get medical supplies like drugs, needles, bandages, and wound care kits, as well as other essential requirements.

This year, the government has given £140 million in help to Ukraine and has offered to guarantee loans worth up to $500 million. The United Kingdom, along with a number of other European countries, has promised to continue supplying armaments to Ukraine’s military while it fights Russian invaders.

eu extends refugee status to 3 years for ukrainian refugees

21:00 – 27 Feb 2022

According to the German interior minister, the EU has unanimously decided to take in Ukrainian migrants for up to three years without requiring them to first seek for asylum.

kosovo asks for nato membership, us military base

20:35 – 27 Feb 2022

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kosovo has requested that the US establish a permanent military presence in the nation and expedite its integration into NATO.

On his Facebook page, Kosovo’s Defense Minister Armend Mehaj stated, “Accelerating Kosovo’s participation in NATO and having a permanent base of American forces is an immediate need to preserve peace, security, and stability in the Western Balkans.”

More than 110 countries, mostly Western nations, have recognized Kosovo’s independence since 2008, although Russia and Serbia have not.

norway sovereign wealth fund to sell off russian assets

20:30 – 27 Feb 2022

In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund would liquidate its Russian holdings, the Norwegian prime minister stated today.

The world’s largest, the Norway sovereign wealth fund is worth $1.3 trillion. At the end of 2021, its Russian assets, which included government bonds and shares in roughly 50 enterprises, were valued $2.83 billion.

At a press conference, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere announced, “We have decided to freeze the fund’s assets and have begun the process of selling out (of Russia).”

eu to buy €450m worth of arms for ukraine

19:45 – 27 Feb 2022

“For the first time in history, the European Union will fund the purchase and delivery of weapons and other equipment to a country under attack,” said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission.

According to Reuters, the commission planned to spend €450 million in EU funding on weaponry for Ukraine and another €50 million on other items like as medical supplies.

sweden to send arms to ukraine

19:30 – 27 Feb 2022

Sweden has announced that it will provide Ukraine military equipment and other assistance.

Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced the plan, saying it would be the first time Sweden has sent weaponry to a fighting zone since the Soviet invasion of Finland in 1939.

She added the shipments would comprise 135,000 ration packs, 5,000 single-use anti-tank launchers, 5,000 pieces of body armour, and 5,000 helmets.

reports grow that historic antonov plane has been destroyed

19:00 – 27 Feb 2022

[IMP} Lots of fake news has been circulated about this. This report reflects the positions given by the Ukrainian Parliament and the Antonov Company – but we still recommend our readers recognise that we cannot certify its reliability.

The world’s largest plane by length, the Antonov AN-225, may have been destroyed as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. Only one aircraft was ever completed, and it flew for the first time in December 1988.

Ukraine’s parliament said in a tweet:

“In 2020, the world’s largest transport aircraft AN-225 Mriya began to perform humanitarian flights and deliver medical supplies to combat the coronavirus in the EU. Then Ukraine defended Europe from the pandemic. Today, Russian troops have destroyed the world’s aviation legend.”

Ukrainian company Antonov said: “Currently, until the AN-225 has been inspected by experts, we cannot report on the technical condition of the aircraft. Stay tuned for (a) further official announcement.”

missiles from belarus hit ukraine airport

18:45 – 27 Feb 2022

Not long ago, an adviser to Ukraine’s interior minister said that Belarus had launched missiles into northern Ukraine

The have now struck an airfield in Zhytomyr.

“This is what’s been hit by the Iskanders (type of missile system) fired from Belarus at around 17:00… the Russian and Belarusian fascists have targeted Zhytomyr Airport,” Anton Herashchenko wrote on Telegram.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s administration announced previously that Ukrainian and Russian officials will meet for talks on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.

bp to offload 19.75% share in russian oil company

18:30 – 27 Feb 2022

BP has announced that it will cease to credit a portion of Rosneft’s net income, output, or reserves.

In a statement, Rosneft said that CEO Bernard Looney will resign from the board of directors with “immediate effect.”

BP has “fundamentally rethought its position with Rosneft” as a result of the Russian incursion, he said.

turkey might close black sea straights

18:15 – 27 Feb 2022

Turkey’s foreign ministry has indicated that it plans to prevent Russian warships from going through the Black Sea’s Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, reversing the country’s previously neutral stance in which officials emphasized partnerships with both Russia and Ukraine.

“We came to the conclusion that the situation in Ukraine has devolved into a war,” Mevlüt avuşolu, Turkey’s foreign minister, stated. “The Montreux provisions will be applied in a transparent manner.”

Under the Montreux Convention, Turkey controls both straits and has the authority to stop the passage of Russian and Ukrainian warships if they are not returning to their permanent bases in the Black Sea.

The convention states that if a conflict satisfies the criteria of a war, the straits can be closed.

eu to provide arms to ukraine

18:05 – 27 Feb 2022

The European Union has stated that it will begin supplying guns to Ukraine, marking the first time it has done so in its history.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen claimed the action was a “watershed moment” at a press conference this afternoon.

She also announced a slew of fresh penalties against Russia and Belarus, as well as a restriction on Russian aircraft flying over European airspace.

eu to sanction belarus

18:00 – 27 Feb 2022

The European Commission will “implement restrictive measures against their most vital sectors, reducing their exports of products ranging from mineral fuels to tobacco, wood and lumber, cement, iron and steel,” Ms von der Leyen said in her speech.

She went on to say that Ukrainian refugees will be welcomed in the EU.

“We welcome those Ukrainians who have to escape Putin’s bombs with open arms,” she continued, “and I am happy of the warm welcome that Europeans have given them.”

eu to ban rt, sputnik, subsidiaries

17:50 – 27 Feb 2022

“Second, we will ban the Kremlin’s media machine in the EU”   

“The state-owned Russia Today and Sputnik, and their subsidiaries, will no longer be able to spread their lies to justify Putin’s war.  

“We are developing tools to ban their toxic and harmful disinformation in Europe.” – Ursula Von Der Leyen, EU Commission President

eu closes airspace to russian planes

17:45 – 27 Feb 2022

“First, we are shutting down the EU airspace for Russian-owned, Russian-registered, or Russian-controlled aircraft,” declared the President of the European Commission this afternoon. They will be unable to land, take off, or fly across EU territory. Oligarchs’ private jets are included.

deutsche bahn offers free rail travel to ukrain citizens

17:30 – 27 Feb 2022

Refugees holding a Ukrainian passport or identity card will be able to travel free on long-distance trains from Poland, according to Deutsche Bahn.

malta closes airspace to russian airlines

17:15 – 27 Feb 2022

Malta will close its airspace to Russian airlines later in the day, Prime Minister Robert Abela informed in a Twitter post.

medical oxygen runs low in ukraine

17:00 – 27 Feb 2022

The World Health Organization has warned that Ukraine is running out of critical oxygen supplies as the war with Russia enters its fourth day.

The United Nations has asked for the safe transit of essential goods through Ukraine, which has been hit by missiles and fighting since Thursday.

“The oxygen supply situation is nearing a very dangerous point in Ukraine. Trucks are unable to transport oxygen supplies from plants to hospitals across the country, including the capital Kyiv,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. 

Russia detains another 900 protesters in 44 cities

16:50 – 27 Feb 2022

Over 900 individuals were detained by Russian police at anti-war protests in 44 Russian towns on Sunday, according to OVD-Info, an independent protest monitoring organization. Since the start of the invasion, almost 4,000 protestors have been arrested, highlighting the Kremlin’s crackdown on dissent.

Today’s protests coincide with the seven-year anniversary of the assassination of Putin opponent Boris Nemtsov.

Meanwhile, long ATM queues have formed in Moscow as citizens react to western Swift santions.

Roskomnadzor demands access to youtube channels

16:45 – 27 Feb 2022

Russia’s federal communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has sent a letter to Google demanding that access to Russian media’s YouTube channels be restored on Ukrainian soil.

Russia has suffered blows in the information war as major platforms sanction the invasion, in addition to facing severe military opposition.

According to Reuters, Google has limited access to media outlets including RBC, TV Zvezda, and Sputnik.

spain closes airspace to russian planes

16:30 – 27 Feb 2022

Spain, along with at least 15 other European countries, has closed its airspace to Russian flights.

“Spain will proceed to block its airspace to Russian flights,” the Spanish transport ministry stated in a tweet on Sunday afternoon. This move will effect aircraft operated by Russian airlines that use Spanish airspace, in accordance with EU cooperation directives.”

Chechen dictator calls for Russians to move in “in all directions”

16:05 – 27 Feb 2022

Ramzan Kadyrov, the pro-Kremlin leader of Russia’s Chechen Republic, a constituent republic of Russia, posted that “the time has come to make a concrete decision and start a large-scale operation in all directions and territories of Ukraine.”

“I myself have repeatedly developed tactics and strategies against terrorists, participated in battles. In my understanding, the tactics chosen in Ukraine are too slow. It lasts a long time and, in my view, are not effective.”

Ukraine calls for Meta to ban Russia Access to its platforms

15:46 – 27 Feb 2022

Ukrainian Vice-Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called on Meta to ban Russian access to Facebook and Instagram.

Russia has already partially restricted the use of Facebook yesterday for “censoring its media” after Meta limited Russian advertisement from the platform, and the placement of restrictions on state-owned RIA news agency, the Defence Ministry’s Zvezda TV, and websites gazeta.ru and lenta.ru.

Canada’s airspace closed to Russian Planes

15:42 – 27 Feb 2022

Canadian Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra, has announced that “Effective immediately, Canada’s airspace is closed to all Russian aircraft operators. We will hold Russia accountable for its unprovoked attacks against Ukraine.”

Belarussians assembling in front of Army High Command in Minsk

15:31 – 27 Feb 2022

Belarussians can be heard chanting “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to heroes!” this afternoon in from of the Army High Command building in Minsk as Belarus prepares to hold the Ukraine-Russia talks at its border with Ukraine.

Germany to reduce dependence on Russian gas

15:21 – 27 Feb 2022

Germany will construct two liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, pledging to do more to protect Germany’s energy supply and as it looks to reduce its Russian gas dependence.

“We need to do more in order to protect energy supply of our country,” said Scholz adding “and in order to not depend on certain energy suppliers,” said the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz this afternoon.

US ambassador to UN condemns “special alert” of nuclear deterrent forces” as unacceptable escalation

15:04 – 27 Feb 2022

“President Putin is continuing to escalate this war in a manner that is totally unacceptable and we have to continue to stem his actions in the strongest possible way.”

Putin’s move has heightened concerns that Russian forces are planning to use nuclear weapons in the conflict with Ukraine.

Ukraine and russia to meet for talks

14:51 – 27 Feb 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia will be held at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.

In a statement, the Ukrainian President’s office said that “Alexander Lukashenko has taken responsibility for ensuring that all planes, helicopters and missiles stationed on Belarusian territory remain on the ground during the Ukrainian delegation’s travel, talks and return.”

€48 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine

14:45 – 27 Feb 2022

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the US is sending nearly €48 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine to assist those affected by Russia’s invasion.

“The United States commends the hospitality of the neighbouring countries in the region hosting fleeing Ukrainians, and we are engaging diplomatically to support their efforts to keep their borders open and assist those seeking international protection,” Blinken said. “As with any refugee situation, we call on the international community to respond to the needs of those seeking protection in a way consistent with the principle of nonrefoulement and our shared obligations under international law.”

Ukrainians dismantling signs across Ukraine to complicate Russian troop navigation

14:37 – 27 Feb 2022

UN: 368,000 fled, 22,000 return

14:31 – 27 Feb 2022

The United Nations have confirmed that around 368,000 Ukrainians have fled and been displaced as the Russians inch closer to major cities in Ukraine.

Poland’s Border Guard has claimed that 22,000 Ukrainians have crossed back into Ukraine, with long queues forming in some borders to return and fight.

UK agrees with Germany’s increased spending on defence

14:23 – 27 Feb 2022

UK foreign secretary Liz Truss welcomes German plans to spend more on defence, with the new target being set at 2% of Germany’s GDP.

Ukraine files lawsuit against Russia at The Hague

14:17 – 27 Feb 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this morning that the country has submitted an application with the UN’s International Court of Justice following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Russia must be held accountable for manipulating the notion of genocide to justify aggression,” said the President of Ukraine.

Russians 20km or less from Kyiv

14:10 – 27 Feb 2022

Vitali Kiltsvchko, the mayor of Kyiv, said the bulk of the Russian forces remain around 20 kilometres or “maybe less” from his city. Some Russian covert soldiers remain within the capital, although these “saboteurs” are being “detected and neutralised”.

“We are fighting for our independence, for our families and for our world.”

mayor says ukraine wins battle for kharkiv

14:00 – 27 Feb 2022

Following violent fighting and street clashes with advancing Russian troops, Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian attempt to occupy Kharkiv, the city’s governor claimed on Sunday.

Oleh Synyehubov, the governor of Kharkiv, claimed Ukrainian troops were currently “cleaning up” the eastern city. He claimed that Russian soldiers surrendered in groups of five to ten and threw their gear in the middle of the road.

“We have complete control over Kharkiv!” Synyehubov made a Facebook post. “The city is being completely cleansed of the enemy.” The Russian foe is completely defeated.”

italy closes airspace to russian planes

13:45 – 27 Feb 2022

An Italian prime minister’s aide verified the news this afternoon.

“Italy is blocking its airspace to Russian flights,” Ferdinando Giugliano declared simply on Twitter.

Italy is the next in a long line of countries to follow suit, with Russia prohibiting flights from Bulgaria, Poland, and the Czech Republic just yesterday.

germany announces €100b military expansion fund

13:30 – 27 Feb 2022

In a historic address to parliament, German chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that a fund of 100 billion euros will be established immediately to strengthen the country’s armed forces, as well as a long-term rise in defense spending.

“It is apparent that we must invest significantly more in the security of our country, in order to safeguard our freedom and democracy,” Scholz told the Bundestag’s extraordinary session, citing the urgency of the Ukraine issue as the reason for the decision to invest in the German military.

He described it as “Germany’s historical responsibility” to ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin “does not turn back the clock.”

belarus to declare war on ukraine – former defence minister

13:15 – 27 Feb 2022

According to Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Ukraine’s former defense minister, Belarus is preparing to declare war on Ukraine.

Zagorodnyuk reports:

“Republic of Belarus is highly likely to join the Russian war against
Ukraine. On Russian side. There is an information about airborne
troopers from Republic of Belarus loaded on the planes to enter
Ukraine.

This is a terrible development as it involves a country, which until
very recently was a great friend of Ukraine; which people always
considered Ukraine as a brotherly nation and Belarus has
never been to war one with another in their many hundred years of
history.

We believe that the only reason for that decision was personal demand
from President of Russia, which completely depends from Putin in its
policy.”

japan to ban russia from swift, sends $100m in aid to ukraine

13:00 – 27 Feb 2022

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated on Sunday that Japan had joined other Western countries in blocking numerous Russian banks from using the Swift payment system.

Kishida continued. According to Reuters, Japan will impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and provide $100 million in emergency humanitarian help to Ukraine.

Kishida has slammed Russia’s invasion on Ukraine, calling it a “threat to the world order’s foundation.”

‘ukraine in full control of kharkiv’ – Governor reports

12:30 – 27 Feb 2022

This morning, an update came in from the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, where severe fighting is said to be happening.

Ukraine is “completely controlling” the area, according to reports from the local governor.

After Russian military vehicles advanced into Kharkiv and missiles struck a gas pipeline, the city was the scene of a brutal fight today.

eu could ban Russian flights from airspace

12:00 – 27 Feb 2022

According to Reuters, the European Union is considering barring Russian flights from its airspace.

The measures will be discussed by foreign ministers later on Sunday. Many nations have already made their decisions, but a new set of measures might include an EU-wide measure.

ukraine claims 4,300 russian soldiers killed

11:30 – 27 Feb 2022

Hanna Malyar, Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, claims that Russian forces had lost roughly 4,300 soldiers.  Malyar claimed on Facebook that Russian troops had lost 146 tanks, 27 planes, and 26 helicopters.

It comes after the Economist reported on Friday that Ukraine “caused more casualties in 24 hours than Russia endured in eight years of battles in Syria,” despite being outgunned and outnumbered.

romania to send £2.5m worth of supplies to ukraine

11:15 – 27 Feb 2022

Romania will send £2.5 million worth of supplies and equipment to Ukraine, and has offered to care for the wounded in military and civilian hospitals, according to government spokesman Dan Carbunaru.

Fuel, ammo, bullet-proof jackets, helmets, military equipment, food, and water are among the supplies.

Reuters reports the details from Bucharest:

In cooperation with Ukrainian border authorities, Romanian ambulances will pick up children, pregnant women and the elderly waiting in long queues to cross the border into Romania at the northeastern Siret crossing, speeding up the process, he said.

Local authorities in border counties have already sent buses carrying food, blankets and winter clothes to Solotvyno and Chernivtsi just across the Ukrainian border.

sanctions will prevent russia from re-arming itself

11:00 – 27 Feb 2022

Brian O’Toole, a former US Treasury official,  was asked what he learned while working on sanctions against Russia after the takeover of Crimea in 2014.

Mr. O’Toole explained: “I believe that the sanctions that are most successful are those in which the US and Europe have an asymmetric power balance. And this is mostly in the banking sector. The ones that aren’t going to work.”

However, he went on to say that Vladimir Putin is “waging war against Ukraine, and the sanctions haven’t stopped him.”

200,000 have fled ukraine – un

10:45 – 27 Feb 2022

More than 200,000 refugees have landed in neighboring countries from Ukraine, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. It is said that the conflict with Russia could result in the displacement of up to four million people.

In recent days, waits of up to ten hours have been recorded at the Polish border, following the country’s decision to admit all refugees that arrive.

‘do not trust russian offer’ – uk foreign secretary

10:30 – 27 Feb 2022

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has stated that she does not trust Russian “negotiation” efforts.

“Now, if the Russians are serious about talks, they need to pull their forces out of Ukraine,” she said on Sky News. “They can’t bargain with a gun to the Ukrainians’ heads…” So, to be honest, I don’t have faith in these so-called negotiation efforts.”

According to Truss, Russian President Vladimir Putin may be nearing the end of his presidency. She also stated that further penalties will be imposed in the coming days, and that she has developed a list of oligarchs.

smoke envelops country after night of fighting

10:15 – 27 Feb 2022

The photos below depict a gloomy picture in Kyiv this morning, as the Ukrainian capital continues to fight off Russian soldiers.

Just hours ago, two massive explosions were reported to the south of Kiev, in Vasylkiv. This is approximately 30 kilometers south of Kyiv.

Heavy battle has erupted in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s northernmost city, close the Russian border, while “little resistance” has been reported in the south.

russian forces parading kharkiv streets

10:00 – 27 Feb 2022

On Sunday, after invading Ukraine’s second-largest city, Russian forces paraded through the streets of Kharkiv in stunning footage.

Following a flurry of attacks elsewhere targeting airfields and fuel facilities that appeared to represent a new phase of the invasion, street combat broke out in the city today.

finland closes airspace to russian planes

09:45 – 27 Feb 2022

Finland will join a slew of other European countries in banning Russian planes from its airspace.

Finland’s Transport Minister Timo Harakka posted on Twitter that his country is “preparing to block its airspace to Russian air traffic.” Finland and Russia share an 800-mile border.

Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, and Poland have all closed their airspace to Russian flights, causing massive detours. Lithuania announced on Saturday that it will restrict Russian flights, thereby cutting off a direct route from Russia’s Kaliningrad region to Ukraine.

google bans rt mobile app

09:30 – 27 Feb 2022

RT’s mobile app has been removed from Google’s app store, according to the Russian state-controlled worldwide television network.

According to Reuters, the decision was made at the request of the Ukrainian administration.

It comes after Google said on Saturday that it is halting the monetisation of Russian state-funded media channels and prohibiting them from placing advertisements on its platforms.

Furthermore, according to spokesman Michael Aciman, Russian media will not be allowed to buy ads through Google Tools or post ads on Google services such as search and Gmail.

ireland close airspace to russian planes

09:00 – 27 Feb 2022

According to Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister, the country’s airspace will be closed to all Russian planes.

Simon Coveney said on Sunday morning that Ireland will take steps to close Irish airspace to Russian flights.

“Shocking Russian assaults on Ukraine overnight,” he tweeted. “Ireland will take steps to close its airspace to all Russian planes.”

talks must be had elsewhere, last night was brutal – zelenskyy

08:50 – 27 Feb 2022

In a statement issued this morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described last night as “brutal.”

He claimed that Russian invading forces are “attacking civilian areas” even where military infrastructure is absent. Troops are “attacking everything,” including ambulances, according to Mr Zelenksyy. 

The Ukrainian leader added that talks in Minsk “could have been possible” if Russia had not attacked Ukraine from Belarusian territory.

He stated that Ukraine is open to negotiations in other countries that are not hostile to the country. The Russian delegation arrived in Belarus knowing it was pointless, he added

Putin salutes russian heroism

08:45 – 27 Feb 2022

Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, delivered a brief broadcast statement this morning, marking his first public appearance since Friday.

According to Agence France-Presse, Putin described Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a “special operation to provide aid to the people’s republics of the Donbas” and praised the “heroism” of Russian special forces operating in Ukraine.

russian delegation arrives in belarus for negotiations

08:30 – 27 Feb 2022

According to Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency, a Russian delegation has arrived in Belarus to have talks with Ukrainian officials.

Representatives from the ministry of foreign affairs, the ministry of defence, and other departments, including the presidential administration, were among those in the delegation, according to him.

The official stated, “We will be ready to begin these conversations in Gomel.”

army shoots down winged rockets, says commander in chief

08:20 – 27 Feb 2022

The Ukrainian army said it shot down a “winged rocket” fired towards Kyiv this morning by a Belarusian Tu-22 plane.

“A TU-22 plane shot down a winged rocket launched in the capital of Ukraine from the territory of the Republic of Belarus a few minutes ago,” said Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, in a statement around 9 a.m. local time.

“This is yet another Russian Federation and Russia war crime,” he continued.

air raids sound again in kyiv

08:00 – 27 Feb 2022

According to reports, air attacks have resumed in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, this morning.

An air raid siren was sounded at 8 a.m., according to a Reuters correspondent.

russian troops enter kharkiv

07:00 – 27 Feb 2022

According to an adviser to Ukraine’s interior minister and other officials, Russian troops have infiltrated Kharkiv in the country’s north-east. It is the country’s second most populous city.

Anton Gerashchenko reported there was violence in the city center and near the Hydropark in a statement on his official Telegram account.

“A group of Russian special troops has just entered the city through Alekseevka.” “On the street,” stated Gerashchenko.

missiles hit radioactive waste disposal site

06:00 – 27 Feb 2022

Missiles hit a nuclear waste disposal plant, according to Ukraine’s State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate.

“As of 27 February 2022 at 01:20 Kyiv time, as a result of the mass bombing of Kyiv with all types of anti-aircraft and missile weapons available to the Russian Federation, missiles hit the radioactive waste disposal site of the Kyiv branch of the State Specialised Enterprise “Radon,” according to a statement on Facebook.

“Radon workers in the shelter announced the notification over the phone.

“As a result of the horrific shooting, which is still ongoing,” it continued.

swift prepares implementation

05:00 – 27 Feb 2022

After Western allies agreed to block Russia’s access to the Swift international banking payment system, the Swift system stated it is planning to apply new sanctions targeting some Russian banks in the coming days.

It said in a statement:

We’re working with European authorities to learn more about the entities that would be affected by the new rules, and we’re preparing to comply if the law requires it.”

ukraine ask to repatriate dead russian bodies

04:00 – 27 Feb 2022

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, Ukraine’s UN envoy has requested the repatriation of the bodies of Russian servicemen slain in Ukraine.

Ukraine has asked the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) “to facilitate repatriation of hundreds of bodies of Russian soldiers” killed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya in a tweet.

According to a chart attached to the article, 3,500 Russian servicemen were killed.

trump condemns russian attacks

03:00 – 27 Feb 2022

Former US President Donald Trump has denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and said he is praying for Ukrainians, a dramatic contrast to his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week.

According to Reuters, Trump spoke at the CPAC conservative conference in Florida.

“The Russian attack on Ukraine is appalling. We are praying for the proud people of Ukraine. God bless them all.

As everyone understands, this horrific disaster would never have happened if our election was not rigged and if I was the president.

I stand as the only president of the 21st century on whose watch Russia did not invade another country.”

more military aid arrives to ukraine

02:45 – 27 Feb 2022

A shipment of military aid from Lithuania has reached Ukraine, according to Lithuania’s ministry of defence.

france tells belarus to ‘get russians out’

02:30 – 27 Feb 2022

“This evening, I asked President Lukashenko for the withdrawal of Russian forces from his country,” French President Emmanuel Macron writes on Twitter. 

“The Belarusian-Ukrainian people’s fraternity should drive Belarus to reject to be Russia’s vassal and de facto partner in Ukraine’s war.”

snake island soldiers may still be alive

02:15 – 27 Feb 2022

According to Ukrainian sources, the Ukrainian soldiers who defended an island in the Black Sea from an air and sea bombardment, reportedly telling a Russian navy warship officer to “go f*** yourself” when requested to surrender, are still alive.

When Russian troops bombarded Snake Island, an approximately 16-hectare (40-acre) rocky island controlled by Ukraine and located about 186 miles (300 kilometers) west of Crimea, there were 13 border guards stationed there.

The Ukrainian State Border Guard Service just issued the following statement:

“We [have a] strong belief that all Ukrainian defenders of Zmiinyi (Snake) Island may be alive.

After receiving information about their possible location, the DPSU together with the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting work on identifying our soldiers.”

at least 64 civilians dead, un

02:00 – 27 Feb 2022

According to the United Nations, at least 240 civilians have been injured and 64 have been killed in Ukraine.

Because many reports of casualties have yet to be validated, it believes the “actual statistics are much higher.”

gas pipeline on fire – kyiv independent

01:30 – 27 Feb 2022

Unconfirmed claims are circulating that a gas pipeline in Kharkiv is on fire as a result of a Russian attack.

According to the National News Agency of Ukraine, an oil terminal in Vasylkiv, central Ukraine, has also been targeted.

According to Illia Ponomarenko of the Kyiv Independent, residents in the region have been warned to keep their windows locked to avoid harmful chemical odors.

ukraine grateful for allies

01:15 – 27 Feb 2022

Ukraine’s prime minister has expressed gratitude for the latest round of financial restrictions imposed on Russia.

Denys Shmyhal thanked “our friends from” the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and the United Kingdom for the newest round of financial sanctions.

russia limiting social media access

01:00 – 27 Feb 2022

According to the UK Ministry of Defense, the Russian government has restricted access to many social media platforms in an attempt to keep knowledge about the situation in Ukraine hidden from its own citizens.

russian state tv hacked

00:45 – 27 Feb 2022

According to Anonymous, a global activist and hacktivist movement, Russian official television channels have been hijacked and are showing “the reality of what is happening in Ukraine.”

The organization previously stated that they launched a cyberattack against Russia to aid Ukraine.

the polish refugee camp

00:30 – 27 Feb 2022

As you approach the Medyka crossing, where Poland and Ukraine meet, you notice the telltale markers of a changing world.

The looming border observation point; the sign welcoming individuals to the European Union; and the growing sensation that this place is turning into a refugee camp.

Images are emerging showing hospital employees helping to make up hundreds of beds in preparation for an even larger expected influx of Ukrainian refugees in Rzeszow, Poland.

Chechen soldiers join Russian assault on Ukraine

16:15 – 26 Feb 2022

The leader of Russia’s Chechnya region says he has deployed his fighters to Ukraine to join battle with Russian troops.

In a video posted online, Ramzan Kadyrov said Chechen forces had so far successfully captured a Ukrainian military facility without suffering any casualties.

---

Twitter blocked for Russian users

16:00 – 26 Feb 2022

The Russian government has blocked Twitter and are threatening to do the same with Facebook after clashes with the service providers over censorship issues.

This ban comes after thousands of videos, photos and messages have appeared on Twitter and Facebook on the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.

Facebook says that it will refuse to stop fact-checking and labelling content from state-owned news organisations.

Russia’s communications regulator Roskomnadzor has accused Facebook of violating “the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens.”

---

Ukrainians asked to deface road signs

15:32 – 26 Feb 2022

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence is asking Ukrainians to remove names of streets, town names and any indications of the current location to “confuse and disorient the enemy”.

“We will do everything possible to clear Ukraine of the Russian occupier as soon as possible!”

---

Turkey to block Russian warships

15:03 – 26 Feb 2022

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelenskyy has tweeted that Russian warships will not be allowed to pass through the Black Sea and Turkish Straits.

UPDATE: Turkey denies closing Black Sea to Russian warships. A senior Turkish official who is directly familiar with the call said “President Erdogan didn’t promise to close the straits. Turkey hasn’t made a decision to close thestraits to Russian ships yet”.

---

Kremlin: “Putin ordered halt to Russian attack yesterday”

14:59 – 26 Feb 2022

“Yesterday, in the light of pending talks with the Ukrainian leadership, the commander-in-chief, the president of Russia, ordered a suspension of the advance of the main group of Russian armed forces in Ukraine,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

“But in essence, as the Ukrainian side refused negotiations, the Russian military operation resumed today in accordance with the plan.”

There have been no reputable sources of Ukraine’s unwillingness to cooperate in finding a peaceful end to the conflict, with a Ukrainian presidential adviser denying that Ukraine had refused to negotiate with Russia.

---

Hungary will not block sanctions against Russia

14:39 – 26 Feb 2022

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirms in a statement that Hungary will not attempt to block any sanctions targeted towards Russia, including the removal of the country from the global SWIFT payment system.

The minister calls out news agencies who said that Hungary will be blocking any EU sanctions against Russia, “I am saddened and shocked to see that some representatives of international politics and the international press dare to fabricate fake news and lies.”

---

Estonia ban Russian airlines from airspace

14:27 – 26 Feb 2022

Estonia has joined Poland, Bulgaria and Czechia in banning Russian airlines from flying within its airspace, with Lithuania and Latvia moving to make similar arrangements.

“Estonia is banning Russian airlines from our airspace. We invite all EU countries to do the same. There is no place for planes of the aggressor state in democratic skies,” tweeted the Estonian Prime Minister.

---

€310m in US military assistance to Ukraine

14:20 – 26 Feb 2022

“Today, as Ukraine fights with courage and pride against Russia’s brutal and unprovoked assault, I have authorized, pursuant to a delegation by the President, an unprecedented third Presidential Drawdown of up to $350 million for immediate support to Ukraine’s defence,” said the Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement.

“This package will include further lethal defensive assistance to help Ukraine address the armoured, airborne, and other threats it is now facing. It is another clear signal that the United States stands with the people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereign, courageous, and proud nation.”

The US has already sent €274 million to Ukraine in previous drawdowns.

---

Russia bans flights from Bulgarian, Polish and Czech carriers

14:06 – 26 Feb 2022

The Russian Civil Aviation Authority has barred its airspace from access by any Bulgarian, Polish and Czech carriers and their aircraft.

“This decision was made in accordance with the norms of international law as a response to the ban on all civil flights of aircraft operated by Russian air carriers and/or registered in Russia to/from the territory of these states,” said the agency in a statement put out this afternoon.

Flights above Ukrainian airspace has been closed off, along with neighbouring Moldova and the southern part of Belarus.

---

How the UK is helping Ukraine

13:16 – 26 Feb 2022

UK PM Boris Johnson has tweeted out the following list on how his government is helping with Ukraine’s struggles:

---

Kyiv imposes extended curfew

12:52 – 26 Feb 2022

Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko has announced a new curfew for the Ukrainian capital from between 5pm and 8am. This curfew goes into affect from tonight.

This new curfew replaces the previously set curfew time set between 10pm and 7am.

The mayor tweeted that “all civilians on the street during the curfew will be considered members of the enemy’s sabotage and reconnaissance groups.” 

---

International Monetary Fund assures Ukraine of its support

12:33 – 26 Feb 2022

Ukrainian Finance Minister tweeted that talks with the IMF are ongoing to view methods of supporting Ukraine.

---

SLOVAKIA sending Fuel and ammunition

12:30 – 26 Feb 2022

Diesel and aircraft fuel worth a total of €11 million, as well as 120,000 rounds of 120mm calibre ammunition, will be sent to the Ukrainian military by the Slovak government to help in the war effort.

---

Russia threatens its news outlets

12:26 – 26 Feb 2022

Letters have been sent to around 10 Russian news outlets threatening a restriction of access to their publications if they spread “false information”, such as calling the attack/invasion/war on Ukraine and its people an “attack, invasion or declaration of war,” or that any shelling of residential areas in Kyiv and Ukraine in general occurred, or that any civilian deaths have occurred from the hands of Russian Armed Forces.

“Unless the above inaccurate information is removed, access to these sources will be restricted,” said the letter.

The threatened news outlets include the  Echo of Moscow, InoSMI, Mediazona, New Times, TV Rain, Svobodnaya Pressa, Krym.Realii, Novaya Gazeta, Zhurnalist and Lenizdat.

120,000 have fled

12:20 – 26 Feb 2022

UN has reported that approximately 120,000 Ukrainians have fled to neighbouring countries. 85,000 people are internally displaced, fleeing the advancing Russian military.

The United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees said that up to 4 million people could try to cross borders within the coming weeks as the crisis in Ukraine continues to intensify.

France seizes Russian cargo ship in English Channel

12:08 – 26 Feb 2022

“A 127 meters long Russia cargo ship called the ‘Baltic Leader’ transporting cars has been intercepted overnight by the French Navy in the Channel and escorted to the Port of Boulogne-Sur-Mer in Northern France,” said French officials.

“It has been taken to the French port after a request by the French government because it is suspected of belonging to a company targeted by EU sanctions against Moscow. French border forces are currently investigating the cargo ship. The crew aboard the ‘Baltic Leader’ has been cooperating with French authorities.”

Russian state news says that their officials are seeking explanations over the seizure.

more countries back swift boycott for russia

12:05 – 26 Feb 2022

As time goes by, more and more countries are assuring Ukrainian authorities of their support for banning Russia from the Swift banking system, with the latest important additions being France, from which a guarantee of more military supplies have also been received, Italy, and Cyprus, one of the larger recipients of Russian investment.

Bulk of Russian troops just 30km from Kyiv – mod

12:00 – 26 Feb 2022

The UK Ministry of Defence released an intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine this morning.

Russian troops are believed to be continuing their advance on Kyiv, with the majority of their forces now 30 kilometres from the city centre.  Russia has yet to secure control of Ukraine’s airspace, according to the Ministry of Defense.

It stated that Russian deaths “are likely to be high,” and that Ukraine “continues to put up a valiant fight across the country.”

‘russia could leave remaining nuclear arms pact’

11:55 – 26 Feb 2022

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, which is led by President Vladimir Putin, said a package of sanctions imposed on Russia by the US, the EU, and other allies reflected “political impotence.”

He suggested that the sanctions may provide Moscow with a reason to reevaluate its relations with the West, implying that Russia could withdraw from the New Start nuclear arms control treaty, which limits both the US and Russian nuclear arsenals.

Mr Medvedev also hinted at the possibility of severing diplomatic ties with Western countries, saying that “there is no particular reason to preserve diplomatic relations” and that “we can look at each other through binoculars and gunsights.”

Medvedev says russia could use suspension as opportunity

11:50 – 26 Feb 2022

Through social media posts, he claimed it was time to “padlock the embassies” and that Moscow will continue its campaign in Ukraine.

He also speculated that Russia’s suspension from the Council of Europe could imply the return of the death sentence.

‘We have control of kyiv’ – zelenskyy

11:35 – 26 Feb 2022

Despite reports of violence overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared this morning that domestic forces hold Kyiv.  He stated in a televised address that Ukraine controls “important sites around the city.”

He went on to say that the Ukrainian people have “earned the right” to join the European Union, and that this would be a “critical time of support.”

Mr Zelenskyy said that he hopes Hungary and Germany will “have the courage” to boycott Russia’s use of the SWIFT interbank messaging system. 

Poland refuses to play World Cup play-off against Russia

11:08 – 26 Feb 2022

The President of the Polish Football Federation Cezary Kulesz has announced that his team will not be playing against Russia and will be boycotting the play-off set on March 24.

He added that Poland is speaking with the Czech and Swedish football federations to present a common position to FIFA.

Ukrainian surface-to-air missile unit destroyed

10:46 – 26 Feb 2022

BBC is reporting that a surface-to-air missile unit belonging to the Ukrainian military was destroyed by Russian bombardment and missile strikes.

The unit seems to have been making its way towards Kyiv to help bolster the city’s air defence capabilities against the oncoming Russian forces.

Ukrainian President calls for membership into the EU

10:32 – 26 Feb 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says it is now a “crucial moment” to decide on Ukraine’s membership into the EU.

“It is a crucial moment to close the long-standing discussion once and for all and decide on Ukraine’s membership in the European Union. Discussed with the President of the European Council for further effective assistance and the heroic struggle of Ukrainians for their free future,” said the president in a tweet.

Ukraine embassy to evacuate to latvia

10:15 – 26 Feb 2022

Ukraine embassy in Moscow evacuate to Latvia, according to a spokesperson from the Latvian foreign ministry, the Ukrainian embassy in Moscow is evacuating to Latvia.

“It was their plea, we readily agreed. We are assisting them in the process and help with settling down,” Latvian foreign ministry spokesperson Janis Bekeris told Reuters.

He declined to say whether the embassy staff had already arrived in Latvia, citing security concerns.

50,000 leave Ukraine in 48 hours

09:48 – 26 Feb 2022

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has claimed that more than 50,000 Ukrainian refugees have left the country in less than 48 hours.

It is said that the majority of this number has fled to either Poland or Moldova. 

Many residential areas in Kyiv now seem abandoned as the city becomes the main focus of the Russian attack.

Photos: Damage to Kyiv

09:27 – 26 Feb 2022

Ukrainian President denies calling for surrender

09:02 – 26 Feb 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video early this morning to assure his people that he has not called for his army or citizens to surrender.

“There’s a lot of fake information online that I call on our army to lay down arms, and that there’s evacuation,” he said against a backdrop of Kyiv’s Gorodetsky House.

“I’m here. We won’t lay down our arms. We will defend our state.”

missiles hit airport, residential zone

08:30 – 26 Feb 2022

According to a Reuters correspondent, two missiles hit areas southwest of Kyiv’s city center on Saturday.

One of the missiles landed near Zhuliany Airport, one of the capital’s two major transportation hubs.

According to Reuters, missiles targeted the area around Sevastopol square, and the city government of Kyiv confirmed a missile hit a residential structure.

ukraine to receive more aid, weapons

08:15 – 26 Feb 2022

According to Sky News, a total of 28 countries, including the United Kingdom, European countries, and the United States, have agreed to provide Ukraine with more guns, medical supplies, and other military aid as it faces a Russian invasion.

On Friday evening, Ben Wallace, the British defence secretary, convened a virtual donor meeting for military aid. Every country is committed to making a contribution. This includes those who were previously opposed to providing arms to Ukraine.

Lethal aid, such as ammunition, anti-tank weaponry, and anti-air weapons, are included, as well as non-lethal aid, such as medical supplies.

Countries that are not members of NATO’s defence alliance are also among the donors.

Residential building hit in kyiv

08:10 – 26 Feb 2022

In this private flat, a rocket exploded, throwing smoke and debris into the living room. The aftermath can be seen here, with the building still blazing this morning, having suffered extensive damage. Multiple homes have been demolished as a significant portion of the right-hand corner of the property has been ripped off. The exact number of people killed or injured is unknown. Firefighters assisted injured survivors, dragging one woman across a sea of debris into the roadway.

Russia takes Melitopol, southern Ukraine

08:00 – 26 Feb 2022

As violence erupted in numerous towns across Ukraine overnight, Russia’s military claimed control of Melitopol, a city in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.

france to send weaponry & equipment

07:50 – 26 Feb 2022

On Twitter, Zelenskiy stated that he spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron this morning regarding weaponry and equipment “on the way to Ukraine” from their allies.

He exclaimed, “The anti-war coalition is working!”

protests break out across the world

07:45 – 26 Feb 2022

There has been a worldwide outpouring of support for Ukraine, with protests taking place all the way from Tokyo to New York. Here are some pictures.

‘We will defend our state’ – zelenskiy

07:15 – 26 Feb 2022

This morning, Ukraine President Zelenskiy tweeted another video from central Kyiv. The 40-second video purports to be about rumors that aren’t true. The leader says, according to a partial translation by the Kyiv Independent:

“There’s a lot of false information on the internet that I’m calling on our army to lay down weapons and evacuate,” he stated. “I’m here. We are not going to lay down our arms. “We will fight for our country.”

shelling heard in central kyiv

07:00 – 26 Feb 2022

Shelling was heard in central Kyiv on Saturday morning, a Reuters correspondent reported, following reports of gunfire in the same area and an attack on a military base in the Ukrainian capital. 

ongoing fighting in at least four Ukrainian cities

06:50 – 26 Feb 2022

According to an adviser to the Ukrainian president’s office, fighting is taking place in the cities of Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odessa.

It comes as residents of Kyiv have been advised to seek shelter in the capital due to street violence.

Cruise missiles launched at Ukraine from Black Sea

06:40 – 26 Feb 2022

Areas surrounding the cities of Sumy, Poltava, and Mariupol were are being attacked by air attacks, according to Ukraine’s military leadership, with Russian Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea at the country.

shootings close to government hq, kyiv

06:30 – 26 Feb 2022

A witness informed the Reuters news agency that gunfire was heard near the government quarters in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Saturday morning.

Ukraine had previously stated that an attack on a military facility near the city center had been repelled.

citizens told to seek shelter as fighting breaks out, kyiv

06:20 – 26 Feb 2022

Officials in Kyiv are alerting citizens that street fighting against Russian forces is beginning and encouraging them to take refuge.

Residents were warned to stay in shelters, avoid walking near windows or balconies, and take steps to prevent being hit by debris or gunfire, according to the warning issued this morning.

us to provide $350m in immediate military assistance to ukraine

06:10 – 26 Feb 2022

US President Joe Biden has signed an order to provide $350m (€310 million) in “immediate military assistance” to Ukraine, according to the White House.

second russian transport plane shot down, claims us

06:00 – 26 Feb 2022

According to two American sources with firsthand knowledge of the situation in Ukraine, a second Russian Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane was shot down near Bila Tserkva, some 50 miles (85 km) south of Kyiv.

The first Il-76 heavy transport plane was shot down on Friday near Vasylkiv, a city 25 miles south of Kyiv, according to a statement from the military’s General Staff.

The Russian military has not commented on either incident so far, and the reports have not been independently verified by many news outlets. Transport planes can carry up to 125 paratroopers.

Zelenskiy turns down us evacuation offer

05:50 – 26 Feb 2022

At the request of the US government, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was asked to evacuate Kyiv, but he declined.

According to a senior American intelligence official with firsthand knowledge of the meeting, Mr Zelensky responded, “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”

“The sound of gunfire is getting louder and in longer spurts”

05:45 – 26 Feb 2022

As dawn creeps over Kyiv, artillery fire and explosions have been reported from the city’s east, west, and south, while the Ukrainian Armed Forces claim to have repelled Russian military attacks on an Army facility at Vasylkiv and a crucial city route, Victory Avenue.

Facebook restricting monetisation features for russian media

05:30 – 26 Feb 2022

Facebook has announced that it will no longer allow Russian state media to use its platform for advertising or monetisation.

Nathaniel Gleicher, the firm’s head of security policy, said in a statement: “We have now disabled Russian state media’s ability to display advertisements or make money on our platform anywhere in the world…We’re also continuing to slap labels on more Russian state-run media.”

gunfire heard in central kyiv

05:15 – 26 Feb 2022

Journalists in Kyiv have reported hearing gunshots near the Ukrainian capital’s center.

According to reports, fighting occurred overnight in Troieschyna, in the north-east of Kyiv, as well as Shuliavka and Beresteiska, both of which are located on Victory Avenue, where the Ukrainian military claims it repelled an onslaught.

US ready to evacuate zelenskyy

05:00 – 26 Feb 2022

According to the Washington Post, the US is prepared to evacuate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from Ukraine in order to prevent him from being arrested or killed by invading Russian forces.

On Friday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated the administration is in contact with President Zelenskyy and is “trying to give him with a range of support.”

She said, “We are aware of his whereabouts. And we’ve made contact with him.”

ukrain internet severely disrupted

04:45 – 26 Feb 2022

According to a reports, “significant disruptions” were confirmed in Kharkiv on Thursday, and more disruptions were tracked across Ukraine, eventually reaching Kyiv this morning with a “major disruption” registered to GigaTrans, Ukraine’s “backbone internet provider… which supplies connectivity to several other networks.”

“While access is possible via alternative pathways,” it stated, “the incident is expected to have a substantial impact on infrastructure, reducing residents’ capacity to communicate.”

ukrain claims it has shot down 3 aircraft in kyiv region

04:20 – 26 Feb 2022

As fierce battle continues near Vasylkiv, in the Kyiv region, where Russian forces are attempting to land troops, the Ukrainian army claims to have shot down a helicopter and two planes.

According to the report, one of the planes was a Su-25, a twin-engine jet produced in the Soviet Union.

The Ukrainian army claimed it had shot down an il-76 MD military transport plane, which it claimed was transporting Russian troops into Ukraine.

fighting surrounds kyiv as russian troops try to breach capital

03:45 – 26 Feb 2022

“All of this is now taking place within the city borders,” CNN’s Clarissa Ward reports, but it does not appear to have reached the heart of the city.

According to Reuters, Interfax Ukraine reports that Russian soldiers attempted to strike a power producing station, while the Ukrainian military claims to have repelled an attack on a Kyiv army facility.

The Ukrainian government also claims to have halted a Russian advance down Peremohy Avenue, which passes past the Beresteiska metro station, where there has been severe combat.

The assault appears to coincide with Zelensky’s threat that Russia may attempt to storm the city tonight. Kyiv is home to three million people.

dozens of explosions being heard in kyiv

03:15 – 26 Feb 2022

According to Reuters, artillery shells could be heard coming from an unnamed area near the city centre. The Kyiv Independent’s reporter claims to have witnessed “very severe battle” near the Kyiv Zoo; this has not yet been independently confirmed.

According to the Washington Post’s correspondent in Kyiv, “dozens and dozens” of explosions had been heard.

Kazakhstan denies request to join russia – nbc

03:00 – 26 Feb 2022

Putin’s pretext for the hostilities, the recognition of Luhansk and Donetsk as separate republics, has been been rejected by the former Soviet Republic state, one of Russia’s closest allies.

“We welcome Kazakhstan’s announcement that they will not recognize the LPR and DPR,” the US National Security Council said in a statement. “We also welcome Kazakhstan’s refusal to send its forces to join Putin’s war in Ukraine.”

simpsons show solidarity to ukraine

02:45 – 26 Feb 2022

The Simpsons creators have posted a photo of the cartoon family carrying Ukrainian flags in support of the eastern European country.

Guatemala calls ambassador to russia back home

02:30 – 26 Feb 2022

Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei announced on Friday that the Central American country’s ambassador to Russia, Guisela Atalida Godinez Sazo, has been asked to return, adding that his government opposes Russia’s activities in Ukraine.

Mr. Giammattei had previously stated that “as like-minded countries, we fully support the sovereignty of Ukraine and stand in solidarity with its people and government.”

ukraine asks apple to cut russia off apple products

02:00 – 26 Feb 2022

Ukraine has requested Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, to block Russia’s access to the App Store and other Apple products.

The letter sent by Mykhailo Federov, the country’s vice prime minister and minister of digital transformation, pleading with Cook to increase the impact of government-level sanctions, has been made public, and reads the following;

“The whole world is repelling the aggressor through the imposition of sanctions – the enemy must suffer significant losses. But we need your support – in 2022 modern technology is perhaps the best answer to the tanks, multiple rocket launchers (hrad) and missiles…

I appeal to you and I am sure that you will not only hear, but do everything possible to protect Ukraine, Europe, and finally, the entire democratic world from bloody authoritarian aggression – to stop supplying Apple services and products to the Russian Federation, including blocking access to the App Store!

We are sure that such actions will motivate youth and active population of Russia to proactively stope the disgraceful military aggression“

Zelenskyy thanks Polish president

01:45 – 26 Feb 2022

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said he spoke with Andrzej Duda of Poland, who he described as a “true friend of Ukraine.”

“I am personally grateful to him, to the Polish people, for their effective concrete help in such a tough period… thank you,” Mr Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter.

White house proposes large financial package

01:30 – 26 Feb 2022

The White House has asked Congress for $6.4bn (€5.7bn) to send to Ukraine in humanitarian and defence aid.

Cluster warhead strikes outside hospital, donetsk

01:00 – 26 Feb 2022

Human Rights Watch (HRW), a non-governmental organization, claims to have evidence that a “Russian ballistic missile carrying a cluster munition struck just outside a hospital” in Ukraine on Thursday near Donetsk.

The organisation says the weapons used were a “9M79-series Tochka ballistic missile with a 9N123 cluster munition warhead.” Images of the weapons were also supplied.

According to the report, four individuals were killed and ten were injured. Six of the injured were medical personnel. Cluster munitions are prohibited by international treaty, although neither Russia nor Ukraine are signatories.

Ukraine Ministry of defence update

00:45 – 26 Feb 2022

According to their intelligence, the Ministry of Defence has issued an update on the situation in Ukraine.

“Russian armoured forces are advancing towards Kyiv from various axes in an attempt to encircle the capital,” they say.