Ukraine – 2/25/23 Sitrep
Compiled by: Robert Homans
February 25, 2023
Webinar Reminder
Celebration of the 1-Year Anniversary of Ukraine’s Predicted Demise
February 28, 2023 (1PM EST, 6PM in London, 8PM in Kyiv, and 10AM PST)
Russian President Putin and many Western pundits predicted with certainty that Ukraine would capitulate after no more 5 days of Russia’s most recent invasion of Ukraine. Instead of marking the 1 year anniversary of the start of Russia’s latest invasion, as many others are doing, we decided to mark the 1-year anniversary of the day of Ukraine’s expected capitulation.
We want to do what we can to honor the brave heroes of Ukraine, consisting not just of soldiers of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, but all Ukrainians, and all Ukraine’s partners, including countries supplying weapons, private groups and individuals who provide humanitarian assistance, who togther proved President Putin and all the pundits wrong. Last but not least, all of you, our loyal readers.
Panelists will be the 2 authors of the emails that you’ve been getting almost daily since February 24, 2022. The Moderator will be Larysa Homans, executive coach, mentor, former member of the Faculty of Kyiv Mohilya Business School, experienced moderator and, in the interest of full disclosure, the wife of one of the authors. We will both make short introductory statements, the Moderator will then ask both of us questions, and then we will open the floor to questions.
The webinar will be conducted on Zoom. The Zoom link is here. The Zoom meeting ID and passcode is the same - 830 1184 0497, and the Zoom passcode: 449343. If you’re dialing in you may need these to join the meeting.
We greatly appreciate your loyalty and support. We look forward to your participation.
Slava Ukrainii!!!
The Mystery Rockets
Yesterday, according to “Reporting From Ukraine” the “Mystery Rockets” struck again, against ammunition dumps and troop concentrations around both Mariupol and Donetsk. He reports that the strikes around Donetsk appear to follow a major Russian supply route.
As is illustrated on the map contained in the video, virtually the entire occupied portion of eastern and southern Ukraine, ex Crimea, is now in range of the long-range rockets that Ukraine used in their recent strikes against Russian installations. This could force Russia to move their supply installations troop concentrations back to Russia proper, far from the front lines in both temporarily occupied Donbas and Kherson/ Zaporizhia Oblasts.
Two possibilities on the U.S. side are GLSDB guided bombs that are fired from a land-based launcher, or JADAM bombs dropped from a fixed wing aircraft. Both are highly accurate and have significantly longer ranges than HIMARS. The GLSDB has been mentioned as possible components in previous U.S. arms transfers. Boeing, the manufacturer of the JDAM, has offered to supply Ukraine directly with JDAMS, subject to U.S. Government permission.
The fact that Ukraine has not disclosed the nature of the weapons being used to hit Russian logistics hubs in Mariupol and around Donetsk, should lead one to ask the following question – why has it been necessary for the United States to announce the specific items and quantities included in various weapons shipments? Doing so would seem to provide critical information to the Russians. Hopefully, withholding information about the supply of longer-range rockets to Ukraine will indicate a change of policy (if indeed the rockets came from the U.S.)
Non-disclosure would also allow the Biden Administration to stop its public dithering on what weapons are, or are not, being delivered to Ukraine. The Biden Administration could simply withhold comment.
“A Year of War – How is Ukraine Transforming Right Now?”/Kyiv “Independent”
This is an Op-Ed written by Andrii Borovyk, Head of the the Kyiv Office of Transparency International. He describes the progress Ukraine has made, and is making, despite the war. It is worth reading, especially in light of the recent corruption incidents that have been brought to light concerning military purchases of food products (although not weapons). The fact that this piece was written by the Head of the Kyiv Office of a major international anti-corruption organization makes what he said even more significant.
CNN Town Hall on Ukraine
Last Thursday evening CNN hosted a Town Hall on Ukraine. The host was Wolf Blitzer and the 2 guests were Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser, and Samantha Power, USAID Administrator. To us watching from home, it seemed as if Sullivan and Power were using the Town Hall to take victory laps, congratulating themselves for the support the U.S. is extending to Ukraine, the vast majority of which has only been extended since the beginning of 2023 even though Russia’s most recent invasion of Ukraine started in 1 year before.
Why the delay? Does our delay in assistance to Ukraine, especially delays in arms deliveries, call for a victory lap? As part of the self-congratulation, a 14-year-old Ukrainian girl had to stay up until after 4AM, Kyiv Time, so she could serve as a prop.
2/25/23 Sitrep
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon February 24 to 12:00 noon February 25, 2023
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military Administration SBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
February 25
08:29 AM ABC News: U.S. President Joe Biden says the U.S. will "respond" if China supplies Russia with lethal weapons for war with Ukraine.
· "I'm not waiting... a major initiative on the part of China to provide weapons to the Russian Federation. It would be the same limit... In other words, we have imposed severe sanctions on anyone who has done so," he said.
· Ukraine will decide for itself how to end the war with Russia, says Joe Biden.
· When asked about the prospects of Ukraine's "return" of Crimea to Crimea, he replied: "I can imagine the circumstances under which this will be preceded by a transition period. Not all at once."
· US President Joe Biden criticized China's proposed peace plan to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
· "China's peace plan is beneficial only to Russia," Joe Biden.
· The United States will not transfer fighter jets to Ukraine yet.
· "Zelensky needs tanks, artillery, air defense, including MLRS Himars. There are things he needs now for success this spring and this summer with the transition to autumn."
· Joe Biden openly rejected the idea that China could mediate peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. The US President called this idea irrational.
· "The idea that China will negotiate the outcome of the war, which is completely unfair to Ukraine, is simply irrational," Biden said.
08:14: With a full-scale invasion of Ukraine a year ago, Russia also attacked OSCE principles - and daily violates them and blocks the work of the entire organization. This was stated by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a special enhanced meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna.
08:13 Le Point: French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to increase pressure on Russia.
08:12: Japan will expand the list of sanctions against individuals and companies from the Russian Federation, — statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
· The new restrictions will be associated with the freezing of assets of individuals, organizations and Russian financial institutions. The list of items prohibited for export will also be expanded.
February 24
23:57: The Pope was presented with a bracelet made of Azovstal metal. The pontiff accepted the gift, so now he wears the same bracelet as thousands of Ukrainians.
23:40: A year ago, the Russians failed to land their planes in Kiev.
· "Everything was mined, vehicles were turned over, and we filled the entire runway with oil," said the Minister of Defense of Ukraine.
23:13: The EU has approved the 10th package of sanctions against Russia, - says Radio Liberty Europe editor Ricard Jozwiak
23:05: Wladimir Klitschko tested Leopard tanks at a training ground in Germany.
· "Leopard tanks from Germany are being prepared for shipment to Ukraine. Our fighters are trained to manage them and will soon return to Ukraine. Equipment will also arrive," he said.
22:30: Germany increases the number of Leopard 2A6 tanks for the Armed Forces from 14 to 18, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.
5:18: The International Anti-Money Laundering Group (FATF) has suspended Russia's membership, according to a statement on the FATF website.
· "Russia's actions contradict the basic principles of the FATF aimed at promoting the security and integrity of the global financial system," the statement said.
16:55: Canada has allocated a new $32 million aid package to Ukraine, says Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly.
· The new assistance package will include:
· - $ 7.5 million for demining;
· - more than $13 million for accountability efforts, including the fight against sexual violence in war;
· - more than $12 million to counter chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.
16:23: The U.S. government has announced the imposition of a new package of sanctions against Russia, which covers the metallurgical, mining industries, as well as dozens of individuals and organizations.
· This is stated in the official statement of the US Department of the Treasury.
16:16: King Charles III of Great Britain addressed the Ukrainians.
· He expressed support for Ukraine in the struggle for independence and is glad that the United Kingdom, together with its allies, is doing everything possible to help.
· "I can only hope that showing solidarity from around the world can bring not only practical help, but also strength from the realization that we are united together," the appeal reads.
16:06: Sweden has officially confirmed plans to transfer modernized Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
· "Sweden joins the 'Leopard family' in support of Ukraine through Swedish Leopard 2 tanks," the Swedish government said in a statement.
· Sweden, as part of a new military assistance package for Ukraine, will supply IRIS-T and Hawk air defense systems.
· This was stated by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Christersson at a joint press conference with Defense Minister Paul Jonsson.
15:24 RTL and N-TV: There is no "red line" in the issue of aiding Ukraine, said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
· There is no "red line " in this sense, and if it should be, it should be described publicly. The point is not in the "red lines", but in the fact that there are two maxims for Germany: not to become a party to the conflict and to act only together with the allies," Pistorius said.
15:04: Sweden is ready to provide Ukraine with 10 modernized Leopard 2 tanks, writes Der Spiegel.
· According to the publication, the government in Stockholm wants to provide Ukraine with a total of ten Leopard tanks of type 2A6 and 2A5 for the planned equipment of two Ukrainian tank battalions.
14:19 Sky News: Denmark's Acting Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has announced the likelihood of providing Ukraine with fighter jets.
· It is known that since the 1970s, Denmark has purchased 77 F-16 aircraft.
· "I don't rule out that at some point there may be a need to consider transferring fighter jets," Poulsen said.
13:59 ZDF: I will continue to seek dialogue with Putin on the situation in Ukraine, says German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
· "First, there must come a moment that opens up the prospect of peace. This is one of the reasons why, for example, I will talk to Russian President Putin over and over again — last time in December, but at some point in the near future — to convince him that things are not the way he imagines it," Scholz said.
13:49: The Lithuanian Sejm sang the anthem of Ukraine on the anniversary of the Russian invasion, - Atviras Seimas.
13:38 White House: The U.S. is preparing to deliver several mobile generators to Ukraine early March to provide backup power.
· Also, the Biden-Harris administration plans to provide Ukraine with up to $ 250 million in emergency energy assistance.
13:28: The first Leopard tanks have already arrived in Ukraine.
· This was stated by Polish Defense Minister Blaszczak during a meeting of the National Security Council convened by Polish President Andrzej Duda.
12:50 White House: G7 countries intend to keep Russian assets frozen until the war in Ukraine ends.
· They also said that on February 24, the United States, in coordination with the G7 countries, would impose sanctions against more than 200 individuals and legal entities from the Russian Federation and third countries.
12:30: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg invited Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the July NATO summit in Vilnius.
· "I invited President Zelenskyy to attend the NATO summit in July. I really hope that he can be there personally, but of course it depends on the situation, because after a full-scale invasion of this country there is a serious war."
12:20: The United States announces a new $2 billion military assistance package for Ukraine.
· It will include:
o HIMARS ammunition;
o 155-mm cartridges;
o CyberLux K8, Switchblade 600, Altius-600 and Jump 20 drones;
o UAV detection tools and means of electronic warfare;
o demining equipment;
o equipment to maintain secure communication;
o financing training, maintenance and support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
12:16: NATO will continue to support Ukraine and put pressure on Russia, the alliance said on the anniversary of the invasion.
11:56: Britain is ready to compensate fighter jets to those European countries that will hand over the MiG-29 or Su-24 to Ukraine, British Defense Minister Wallace said.
NATIONAL
February 25
11:24: The strip along the Ukrainian-Russian and Ukrainian-Belarusian border will be expanded to 2 km and replaced.
· The State Border Guard Service reports that yesterday the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine voted in favor of the draft law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on the Protection of the State Border".
11:02 Ukrenergo: There is no power shortage in the power system for 2 weeks in a row and is not currently predicted.
· Due to damage to the networks of distribution system operators caused by Russian shelling, there is a power outage in the frontline cities of Nikopol and Marganets in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Where the security situation allows, repairs are carried out.
· In Odessa, there are still network restrictions caused by significant damage to the energy infrastructure.
07:10: Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
· "The enemy continues to focus its main efforts on conducting offensive operations in the Kupyansk, Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Shakhtarsky directions. Last day, our defenders repulsed about 70 enemy attacks in these areas.
· The Russian occupiers launched 27 air strikes and carried out 75 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems. Cities, villages and civilians have suffered once again."
· In the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson region, Russians search houses and seize boats and other boats, - the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
· Previously, such actions were committed before leaving the right-bank part of the Kherson region and for sabotage actions.
· Having destroyed more than 80% of the housing stock of Mariupol in the Donetsk region, the Russians offer the victims of these bombings to get housing in new buildings on the outskirts of the destroyed city, - the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
· However, counting on the fact that, along with housing, documents confirming the right of ownership were destroyed, the Russians cynically put forward a mandatory condition for their availability to obtain new housing.
· In the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation, forced mobilization continues.
· To prevent possible desertion of those mobilized from the front or sabotage, on February 23 this year, up to 200 police officers from the Akhmat special forces regiment were sent to the Bakhmut direction.
· During the day, units of the Defense Forces destroyed 1 Mi-24 attack helicopter and 4 enemy UAVs (1 type "Orlan-10", 1 - "Hall" and 2 - "Lancet-3"),
· Ukrainian aviation inflicted 20 strikes on areas of concentration of personnel and military equipment of the occupiers, as well as 2 strikes - on anti-aircraft missile systems at the firing position.
· Ukrainian artillerymen and rocket launchers hit the control point, 2 areas of concentration of Russian manpower and 3 ammunition depots.
00:35: Valeriy Zaluzhnyi promised a 4-year-old boy that Ukraine will return Mariupol this year.
· "He took my hand and said, 'Bend over, I'll tell you something: will we definitely return to Mariupol?'" I say, "Yes." He says, "And when?". I say, "This year." It is inspiring," said the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
February 24
23:40: A year ago, the Russians failed to land their planes in Kiev.
· "Everything was mined, vehicles were turned over, and we filled the entire runway with oil," said the Minister of Defense of Ukraine.
22:18: Volodymyr Zelenskyy: World stars talk about Ukraine. They admire Ukraine. On the side of Ukraine.
· The President thanked the celebrities for supporting Ukraine.
22:08: Poland insists on expanding the tenth package of EU sanctions, including Russian propagandists and new Russian products.
· This was stated by Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki at a press conference with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
· "We are unhappy with the tenth package of sanctions because it is too soft, too weak," Morawiecki said.
21:22: For the anniversary of resistance to Russian propaganda and aggression, our team has prepared a patriotic sticker pack "Lightning". 👉 https://stickers.viber.com/pages/blyskavka
20:39 Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 February 24:
· "During the day, the enemy inflicted 18 air strikes, of which 4 were barrage ammunition of the "Lancet" type. He carried out more than 30 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems.
· The Russian Federation focuses its main efforts on conducting offensive actions in the Kupyansk, Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Shakhtarsky directions, and increases the number of personnel."
· "In Chaplynka, Kherson region, the occupiers imposed a round-the-clock curfew from February 23 to February 25 of this year.
· The reason may be the transfer of military equipment from the temporarily occupied part of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to strengthen the line of defense."
· "In the city of Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region, the enemy is bypassing the dwellings of local residents.
· During the inspection, registration and documents of ownership of housing are checked. In case of their absence, the residents are evicted within a week, and servicemen of the Russian occupation forces are quartered there."
· "Our aviation in a day inflicted 14 strikes on the areas of concentration of personnel and military equipment of the occupiers.
· The Defense Forces also destroyed 1 Mi-24 attack helicopter and 1 Lancet BPlA.
20:18: As Reznikov promised, Leopard tanks have already arrived in Ukraine.
· "We met new animals in our Ukrainian military zoo - 4 Leopard2A4! We look forward to taking even more. Food and rest will be provided.
17:40: A press conference by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the anniversary of resistance to Russian aggression has begun.
· "If all our partners meet the deadlines and their promises, then I am sure that we will win."
· Ukraine would like to involve Latin America, India and China in the formula of peace, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
· "There is a point of fixation and the end of the war, we need security guarantees. When there is fulfillment of points, then there is respect for people, for Ukrainians," Zelenskyy said.
· Zelenskyy noted that he would go to a joint summit of Ukraine and Latin American countries to convey his position to them, despite how difficult it is for him to leave the country at the moment.
· "We are actively working on the creation of a special tribunal over the Russian Federation and a mechanism for compensation of losses by Russia for aggression in Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.
· The international organization of the Red Cross has not achieved access to captured Ukrainians, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
o "Are they persistent? No. We're persistent, we've put pressure on them, the enemy, and the mediators to get our boys and girls out. But still, there is still no access to prisoners of war," Zelenskyy said.
· Zelenskyy commented on the Chinese version of the "peace plan":
o "I don't think it's a peace plan... It seems to me that China has simply expressed its thoughts. But it is good that China has started talking about the war in Ukraine. Another question behind the words."
o among China's proposals there are opinions that it does not share, but there are also those that are suitable for Ukraine, for example, on supporting territorial integrity.
· "Our job is to gather everyone to isolate one."
· "The war in Ukraine has begun to reboot NATO. Everyone checked and realized that the systems were not improved, that more powerful things were needed."
· Zelenskyy appealed to the Russians: "Please respect our right to live on our land, leave our territory.
o Stop bombing us, stop killing civilians, kill our infrastructure and energy, stop bombing cities and villages, stop just killing dogs and cats, burning forests.
o And then we will tell you in what format we will diplomatically put an end to."
o "Of my team, I was most disappointed by all those officials who left Ukraine."
o that the worst day since the beginning of the war was the moment when he saw the consequences of Russian aggression after the deoccupation of Bucha: "We saw that the devil was not somewhere out there - he was on earth."
· "We are asking other countries for weapons not to accumulate them, but to protect the lives of Ukrainians."
· Zelenskyy commented on the situation with the transfer of aircraft to Ukraine:
o "We've started important steps to do that. My meeting with the British Prime Minister answers the planes' questions. We are opening pilot training in Britain. I spoke to Morawiecki. We're opening pilot training on the F-16."
· "I don't care what happens to Russia after our victory.
· They have their own State, and they have to think about their State. If they thought about their country, there would be no war.
· If they were just thinking about their freedom of speech, democracy, economic reforms, so that they would not be beggars, that they would not have slavery, and so on, they would be a rich state."
· Zelenskyy commented on the possibility of talks with Putin mediated by the Turkish President:
o "I don't accept it. He (Erdogan — ed.) knows my position, we talked about it before the war. I said: "Put Putin at the table, we must not allow the risk of a big war." And he and the others couldn't. Now he thinks he can, but we can't anymore. This is not the person (Putin - ed.). There's no one to talk to."
· Zelenskyy: "Relations have improved between Ukraine and Israel."
· Zelenskyy joked in response to a question about the return of the Australian ambassador to Ukraine:
· "We will be very happy. But let him return to the Bushmaster (ed. — an armored car). We need more Bushmaster."
· Zelenskyy on Russia's plans to destabilize Moldova:
o "Putin needs to show successes and victories. But there will be no victory on the battlefield in Ukraine. Therefore, he can go looking for success where there are weak points. Where there have already been conflicts and there is Russian influence."
o There is evidence that Russia wanted to change the head of this state (ed. - Moldova)."
· "If the United States does not support Ukraine, then it will lose NATO.
o They will lose influence, leadership positions. They will lose the support of a state of 40 million people. Millions of children. Are American children different from ours?"
o "America will never abandon NATO nations. If Ukraine cannot stand it, due to weakening of support, then Russia will come to NATO countries. They will come in and capture the Baltic States, it will happen.
o And then the United States will have to send its sons and daughters, as we do now. And they will fight and die. God forbid. And this is grief, terrible grief. Therefore, I wish the United States only peace and support for Ukraine."
· Zelenskyy on the possibility of de-occupation of Crimea this year:
o "It's all up to us. It's up to us all. There are military steps.
o We are preparing for them, we are ready morally and we are preparing technically. With weapons, reinforcement, the formation of offensive brigades, we send people to training, also to the sites of other states. We have to be ready.
o And then there will be real de-occupation steps, and God forbid that they are successful."
· "We have a large trade turnover with China. We are interested to maintain our relationship.
o China supports the formula of peace in Ukraine. We have a lot of compatible views; we need to meet Xi Jinping."
· "In this situation, we must be strong for negotiations.
o Must be strong on the battlefield. Then we can reach a just peace on the terms of a civilized world."
· Zelenskyy appealed to Ukrainians abroad:
o "Without citizens who are now abroad, our state cannot be powerful. With all the love for the states that have provided shelter to our citizens, I want you to remember that you are Ukrainians.
o We are waiting for a return to normal life after the victory, we are waiting for you. Ukrainians have left, albeit temporarily."
· Zelenskyy: "We would like to have security guarantees on the way to NATO.
o Ukraine has shown strength, strength, courage. We are talking about this with the EU, with the US and the UK. That's the circle we've discussed this issue with."
16:34: During the talks, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki discussed the full range of defense issues.
· "This also applies to weapons for Ukraine, thanks to which Russian defeats on the battlefield will accelerate, and new sanctions against Russia. Separately, I would like to note our interaction on the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers. I am sure that this will remain a good memory in the history of nations," the president said.
15:15: Poland will soon hand over 60 PT-91 tanks to Ukraine, says Polish Prime Minister Matujes Morawiecki at a press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
· It is known that the PT-91 is an upgraded version of the T-72 tanks.
· Poland is ready to conduct training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
o However, such a decision must be agreed "in a broader coalition", he added.
14:54: "I am glad to welcome a sincere friend of our state and people, Mateusz Morawiecki, to Kyiv. The presence of the Prime Minister of Poland in Ukraine today has become a powerful symbol of the unity of our countries, our common indestructibility and our effective solidarity," Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
14:29: 90% of Ukrainians believe that it is necessary to strike at the territory of Russia, only 7% of respondents do not support such steps, - the results of the KIIS survey.
· In addition, 13% of respondents believe that strikes should be carried out on all objects in general, including the population, as Russia itself does.
14:09: "A year ago, Russia thought that Ukrainians would bow their heads submissively, but we did not obey. This video is about ordinary heroes - ordinary Ukrainians who, together with rescuers, dismantled the rubble after the shelling, sheltered, covered others from the wreckage, saved animals, operated without light and daily found the strength to do the impossible," Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
13:25: "Today in Kyiv is the Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki. Together we visited Ukrainian soldiers undergoing treatment after injuries in one of the Kyiv hospitals," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
13:05: The Verkhovna Rada terminated the powers of three people's deputies: Yuriy Solod, Natalia Korolevska and Oleg Voloshin.
· The number of deputies in the Ukrainian parliament has decreased to 405.
12:58: Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with chaplains who are currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine.
· "He presented military chaplains with state awards: the Order "For Courage" of the III degree, medals "For Military Service to Ukraine" and the medal "Defender of the Fatherland". They discussed the importance of increasing the number of chaplains in the army, the issue of regulating the verification of spiritual education, which is necessary for obtaining military ranks and enlistment in the army."
12:40 Ukrenergo: There is no shortage in the power system and is not currently predicted.
· However, due to the shelling, the frontline areas of Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kherson regions and border areas of Sumy and Chernihiv regions were de-energized.
12:07: "Today – after a year of the decisive war for Ukraine's independence – here, on Sofiyivska Square, in this majestic place, which saw Yaroslav, Bohdan, Mykhailo, and many others who fought for Ukraine – I want to say to everyone who fights for Ukraine and who lives in Ukraine... I want to say: I am proud of you! We are all proud of you!" - Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Mordor - russia
February 25
10:53 Institute for the Study of War: ISW explained why the Kremlin did not comment on the first anniversary of the full-scale invasion on February Ukraine February 24.
· Analysts attribute the silence of Putin and his minions to the lack of any military success. "Russia has failed to achieve any of the stated goals and has not had significant territorial achievements since July 2022," the report says.
09:34: Lukashenko will pay a state visit to China, says press service of the President of Belarus
February 24
23:48 Social Networks: Explosions were heard in the Belgorod and Kursk regions of the Russian Federation.
15:58: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin denied information about possible supplies of drones to Russia, writes CNN.
· "China has always shown a prudent and responsible approach to military exports, it does not sell weapons to conflict zones or parties at war," he said.
13:15 Institute for the Study of War: Russia creates conditions for military operations "under a false flag" on the border with the Chernihiv region and in Moldova.
· At the same time, Moscow does not have the military resources to directly invade Moldova. And with provocations in the Chernihiv region, Russia wants to distract the Armed Forces from preparing for a counteroffensive and weaken a powerful defense in eastern Ukraine.
KHARKIV
February 25
09:47 Kharkiv RMA: Last day, Russians continued shelling the border settlements of Kupyansk and Chuhuiv districts of Kharkiv region
· As a result of the missile strike on Kupyansk, which occurred after 21:30, another private house was damaged, a large-scale fire occurred. In the village of Podoly, a residential building and utility buildings were damaged. In the village of Sinelnikovo, a residential building was also damaged.
· There were no casualties.
February 24
20:15 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kharkiv region/
LUHANSK
February 25
09:59 Luhansk RMA: The Russian offensives do not stop in any direction - neither at Svatovsky nor at Kreminsky.
· "All the attempts of the enemy in recent days have been unsuccessful - in the Svativ region they tried to go forward with heavy equipment, but they received resistance and deployed. In the Kremin region, two days ago, out of three companies of Russians who went on the offensive, they lost 70 people dead and about the same number wounded," Serhii Gaidai added.
DONETSK
February 25
11:33 Donetsk RMA: At night and in the morning, the Russians shelled settlements along the entire front line from Velikonovoselkivska to the Liman community.
11:16 Social Networks: An explosion was heard in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region.
10:11 Donetsk RMA: On February 24, Russians wounded 5 civilians in Donetsk region: two in Chasovoy Yar, one each in Bakhmut, Donetsk and Kostiantynivka.
09:40: Advisor to the mayor of the temporarily occupied Mariupol Petro Andryushchenko reported explosions in the Mariupol district.
02:01 Social Networks: Explosions heard in Donetsk region
February 24
21:56 Advisor to the mayor of the city: An explosion was heard in the temporarily occupied Mariupol.
· "The sound of an explosion. Single. After the explosion, the city enjoys the sounds of ammunition detonation," Andryushchenko wrote.
13:23 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Sloviansk, Donetsk region.
ZAPORIZHIA
February 25
10:20 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Melitopol, Zaporizhia region.
February 24
21:53: Secretary of the Zaporizhia City Council Anatoliy Kurtev confirmed the explosions in the suburbs.
21:10 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Zaporizhia.
DNIPRO
February 25
11:12 Dnipro RMA: Nine times a night, Russians hit the Nikopol region with heavy artillery.
· "Deadly shells hit Nikopol and Manganese. It passed without casualties. There is significant destruction", - Sergey Lysak.
10:42 President's Office: At 9: 30, a Russian shelling of the outskirts of the village of Ternove, Velykomykhaylivska AH, took place in the Dnipropetrovsk region. No casualties or destruction.
09:13 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region.
02:44 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region.
01:07 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Preliminary – air defense works.
00:20 Social Networks: An explosion is heard in Kryvyi Rih. Pre-working air defense.
February 24
20:29 Dnipro RMA: Russians sent more than 100 shells from heavy artillery and Grad rockets at the Nikopol District
· "Three communities were under attack - Myrovska, Marganetska and Nikopolska. There are no dead or injured. The consequences of the attacks are being clarified," Lysak wrote.
17:29 SBU press service: The SBU detained one of the leaders of the criminal environment in Dnipropetrovsk region, involved in numerous facts of "paying tribute" to representatives of small and medium-sized businesses.
· The perpetrator is a repeatedly convicted criminal authority – the so-called "watching" in Kryvyi Rih. He faces a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
KHERSON
February 25
11:56 Kherson RMA: Russians attacked peaceful settlements of the Kherson region 83 times. They fired from MLRS, mortars, artillery, tanks and UAVs.
· Kherson itself was shelled by the Russian army 9 times. They hit residential buildings, a preschool, and a medical facility. 1 person was injured.
11:18 Social Networks: Explosions are heard again in Kherson.
10:51 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
02:03 Social Networks: Explosions are heard again in Kherson.
00:54 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
February 24
19:23 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
KYIV
February 25
10:23 Kyiv RMA: In the Kyiv region, it is possible to hear the sounds of explosions.
· On the territory of the Vyshgorod district, today, February 25, trainings are being conducted for sappers.
· Because of this, explosions can be heard in the area.
February 24
22:51 Social Networks: The sound of an explosion was heard in the Kyiv region.
22:40: All bridges in Kyiv were mined and if the Russians broke through, they would be blown up so that they would not cross from the left to the right bank, — footage from the film "Year of Indestructibility" by journalist Dmitry Komarov
Comparing Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to Russian invasion of Ukraine using Wikipedia and Ukraine Ministry of Defense Daily Bulletins. Soviet and Russian military losses not including captured equipment.
SOURCES
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/
https://euromaidanpress.com/
https://cutt.ly/Blyskavka