Ukraine war – latest news: UN calls for Putin’s army to withdraw but China abstains

The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly isolated Russia, calling for a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” and again demanding Russia withdraw its troops and stop fighting.

But Beijing abstained on the vote – the fourth time it has done so on such action since the Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago.

Just a day earlier, China’s top diplomat visited Moscow and pledged a deeper partnership with the Kremlin.

The resolution was adopted with 141 votes in favour and 32 abstentions. Six countries joined Russia to vote no.

Joe Biden will announce new sanctions against those aiding Russia’s war effort when he meets G7 leaders and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky virtually to mark the anniversary, the White House says.

The sanctions will include Russian banks, technology and defence sectors.

On Thursday four people were arrested after activists poured hundreds of litres of yellow and blue paint onto the road outside the Russian Embassy in London to create an enormous Ukrainian flag.

Vladimir Putin said Russia would pay “increased attention” to boosting its nuclear forces, vowing to deploy a much-delayed new intercontinental ballistic missile, rolling out hypersonic missiles and adding new nuclear submarines.

Key Points

• China abstains as UN votes to call on Vladimir Putin to end war

• Joe Biden prepares to unveil new sanctions on Russian companies and people

• Activists paint giant Ukrainian flag outside Russian embassy in London

• Putin says Russia will pay more attention to boosting nuclear forces

• Russia intensifies attacks ahead of the one year anniversary of war on Friday

Nato and EU heads slas down China peace plan as Bejing ‘lacks credibility’

11:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The heads of Nato and the European Commission have criticised China’s peace plan as they hit out at Beijing’s “friendship” with Russia.

“We will look at the principles, of course, but we will look at them against the backdrop that China has taken sides,” said Ursula von der Leyen, EU commission president. “It is not a peace plan.”

“China has taken side[s] by signing for example an unlimited friendship [with Russia] right before the invasion,” she added.

“China does not have much credibility because they have not been able to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine,” said Jens Stoltenberg, secretary-general of Nato.

Zelensky holds back tears as he mourns dead

12:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky marked the first anniversary of Russia‘s full-scale invasion on Friday with a sombre message of defiance to his people and tears for the thousands of soldiers who have died.

On a cold, cloudy morning in Kyiv, the 45-year-old addressed members of Ukraine‘s armed forces and a small gathering of dignitaries in St Sophia Square, next to the green- and gold-domed cathedral that is a symbol of the city’s resilience.

“I want to say to all of you who are fighting for Ukraine ... I am proud of you. We all, each and every one, are proud of you!”

As he has done throughout the war, Zelensky showed his feelings in the 30-minute ceremony, choking back emotion as he gave out Hero of Ukraine awards to troops - one of whom was on crutches - and to the mother of a soldier who had been killed.

As a band played the national anthem, there were tears in his eyes. Those present bowed their heads for a minute’s silence.

Zelensky remains hugely popular in Ukraine, connecting with the population through daily messages filmed on a smartphone, and working to maintain international support in the form of financial aid and weapons.

In a packed programme, Zelensky gave state awards to military chaplains at Kyiv’s historic Lavra monastery complex, visited wounded soldiers undergoing treatment in a hospital, and hosted Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Poland allowed millions of refugees to cross from Ukraine early in the war and has been a close ally throughout. It announced on Friday that a first batch of Leopard tanks were already in Ukraine, as Zelensky pushes for more heavy weaponry.

Kim Sengupta speaks to Kyiv residents on first anniversary since invasion

12:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Kim Sengupta, our World Affairs Editor, is in Kyiv and has spoken to some residents as they mark a year since the start of the invasion.

Maxim Kucher, an IT technician, volunteered for the army when the invasion started and fought in Kharkiv when the city, just 25 miles from the border with Russia, was under intense attack from Moscow’s forces.

He then also fought in Donbas – the area made up of the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk where fighting as been particularly fierce.Maxim is in Kyiv recovering from an operation on a leg injury.

“I had been a civil defence volunteer, but nothing had prepared me for what we had to do.”

“I am very happy we have survived as a country this year. But this will go on for a very long time. I’ll go back [to the frontlines] when I’m fit: I don’t know where they’ll send me.”

‘All of this sorrow because of one man’: Kim Sengupta speaks to Kyiv residents

12:13 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Kim Sengupta, our World Affairs Editor, is in Kyiv and has spoken to some residents as they mark a year since the start of the invasion.

For Olena Kuznetsova, who had gone to light a candle at St Volodymyr’s Cathedral, it is loss and sorrow which are the overwhelming emotions today.

She was mourning her 22 year old son Yuri , a student who had volunteered to fight for his country and died in Lyman in the Donbas.

“He said he could not sit at home while others had gone to fight. He sacrificed himself for his country. Everyone says what he did was very brave and great. But he was everything. No one can know the pain of a mother who has lost a child”, she said.

“I do not wish this on anyone, Ukrainian or Russian: all this sorrow because of one man.”

Russia says forces pressing attack along Ukraine's Donetsk front

11:54 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia‘s defence ministry said on Friday that its forces continued to attack along the front line in Ukraine‘s eastern Donetsk region, claiming to have killed up to 240 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours.

“The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to conduct a special military operation,” the defence ministry said in a daily briefing on the one year anniversary of Russia‘s invasion.

“In the Donetsk direction, units of the Southern Group of Forces inflicted a comprehensive fire attack on accumulations of the enemy’s manpower and equipment along the entire line of contact.”

Reuters was not able to independently verify the defence ministry’s claim.

The last weeks have seen Russia mount infantry assaults across frozen ground in battles described by both sides as the bloodiest of the war. Ukraine said on Thursday that its forces had repelled Russian assaults along the front line.

What is China’s peace proposal on how to end Ukraine war?

11:32 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

China has offered a 12-point peace proposal to end the fighting in Ukraine one year into Russia‘s war.

The proposal follows China’s recent announcement that it is trying to act as mediator in the war that has re-energised Western alliances viewed by Beijing and Moscow as rivals. China’s top diplomat indicated that the plan was coming at a security conference this week in Munich, Germany.

With its release, President Xi Jinping’s government is reiterating China’s claim about being neutral, despite blocking efforts at the United Nations to condemn the invasion.

Matt Mathers reports:

What is China’s peace proposal on how to end Ukraine war?

Watch: Rishi Sunak leads minute's silence outside No 10 to mark anniversary of Ukraine invasion

11:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

UK falls silent on anniversary of Russian invasion as Sunak praises Ukrainian bravery

11:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Britons across the UK fell silent this morning to mark the first anniversary of Russia’s bloody war in Ukraine.

Workers in offices and people in their homes observed a UK-wide minute’s silence as they paid their respects to all those killed in the conflict.

King Charles and Rishi Sunak, the prime minister led tributes from Buckingham Palace and Downing Street.

The number of Ukrainian civilians killed in the war could be as high as 100,000, with both sides suffering tens of thousands of military casualties.

UK falls silent on anniversary of Russian invasion as Sunak praises Ukrainian bravery

King pays tribute to ‘remarkable courage and resilience’ of Ukrainians

10:59 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The King has paid tribute to the “remarkable courage and resilience” of Ukraine‘s people on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.

Charles, who earlier this week met Ukrainian recruits being trained by UK and international forces, said he hoped the outpouring of solidarity with the nation would bring “strength from the knowledge that, together, we stand united”.

In a message to mark one year on from the start of the conflict, the King said: “It has now been a year that the people of Ukraine have suffered unimaginably from an unprovoked full-scale attack on their nation.

“They have shown truly remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy.

“The world has watched in horror at all the unnecessary suffering inflicted upon Ukrainians, many of whom I have had the great pleasure of meeting here in the UK and, indeed, across the world, from Romania to Canada.

“Earlier this month I met President Zelensky at Buckingham Palace to express my personal support for the people of Ukraine. It is heartening that the United Kingdom, along with its allies, is doing everything possible to help at this most difficult time.

“Therefore, I can only hope the outpouring of solidarity from across the globe may bring not only practical aid, but also strength from the knowledge that, together, we stand united.”

On Ukraine anniversary, EU pledges more support for refugees

10:48 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

European Union officials on Friday pledged continued support to millions of Ukrainian refugees, as they marked the anniversary of the Russian invasion.

“Ukraine can win this war, but we will be with Ukraine as long as it takes,” EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson told The Associated Press on the sidelines of a conference on migration near Athens.

Johansson urged members to conclude long-running negotiations to adopt new EU-wide migration rules and to assist Ukrainians who wished to return home but maintain their temporary residence status in the EU.

More than 8 million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the war, according to the United Nations refugee agency, and nearly 5 million have registered for EU temporary protection or similar national protection schemes in Europe.

On Ukraine anniversary, EU pledges more support for refugees

Live: Rishi Sunak leads one-minute silence outside No 10 on first anniversary of Ukraine-Russia war

10:42 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak will lead a one-minute silence outside No 10 on first anniversary of Ukraine-Russia war at 11am.

As the conflict enters its second year, there remains no end in sight, with a UN vote demanding that Russia withdraws its soldiers and global leaders calling for more aid to be sent to Ukrainian troops and more sanctions on Moscow.

Live: Rishi Sunak leads one-minute silence outside No 10 on first anniversary of Ukraine-Russia war

Forgotten and abandoned: the international students caught up in conflict

10:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Thousands of African students who fled Ukraine have been “frozen out” of receiving aid for those driven out by Russian attacks, The Independent has been told.

Before the conflict, around 76,000 international students, mostly from Nigeria and Morocco, Ghana, Zimbabwe and India, were based there.

But after grappling with racism at Ukraine’s borders while trying to flee, a large number of students are displaced in countries, including Turkey, Italy, Kenya, Romania and Belgium, unsure of their next move.

Many are unable to complete their studies, battling with the mental and emotional distress of having escaped Putin’s onslaught, some are facing poverty, while others have even taken their own lives, The Independent has learned.

Our race correspondent Nadine White reports:

Forgotten and abandoned: the international students caught up in conflict

China says it is not aware of drone purchase talks between Russia and Chinese company

10:18 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

China’s foreign ministry said on Friday it is not aware of reports about talks between Russia and a Chinese company for the purchase of drones.

“There has been a large volume, too much disinformation spread about China on this point. We should be vigilant about the intentions behind this,” ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a news briefing.

“I also want to emphasise that China on the export of military products has always held a cautious and responsible attitude, not selling military products to conflict areas or warring parties.”

German magazine Der Spiegel reported on Thursday, without citing specific sources, that Russia was in talks with a Chinese manufacturer about buying 100 drones, with a delivery date of April.

Ukraine supporters dump destroyed Russian T-72 tank outside Moscow's embassy in Berlin

10:06 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Watch live as Ukraine supporters dump a destroyed Russian T-72 tank outside Moscow’s embassy in Berlin on the first anniversary of Putin’s brutal invasion.

Live: Ukraine supporters dump destroyed Russian T-72 tank outside Moscow's embassy in Berlin

Putin ‘sacrificing soldiers for own vanity’ and is suffering ‘huge losses’ in Ukraine

09:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Defence secretary Ben Wallace has said Russia is “sacrificing its own soldiers” for the vanity of Vladimir Putin.

Speaking on the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine, Mr Wallace said the good guys will win in the end.

The Tory minister added that Russia has been forced to adopt a “meat-grinder approach” after its forces failed to make a breakthrough in Ukraine.

Mr Wallace told Times Radio that the Russian army was suffering “huge losses” on the battlefield for very little gain in territory.

Putin ‘sacrificing soldiers for own vanity’ and is suffering ‘huge losses’ in Ukraine

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

09:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine has been raging for one year now as the conflict continues to record devastating casualties and force the mass displacement of millions of blameless Ukrainians.

Vladimir Putin began the war by claiming Russia’s neighbour needed to be “demilitarised and de-Nazified”, a baseless pretext on which to launch a landgrab against an independent state that happens to have a Jewish president in Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine has fought back courageously against Mr Putin’s warped bid to restore territory lost to Moscow with the collapse of the Soviet Union and has continued to defy the odds by defending itself against Russian onslaughts with the help of Western military aid.

Here’s why Putin really invaded Ukraine

Independent TV to release first feature-length documentary The Body in the Woods

09:17 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Independent TV is releasing The Body in the Woods on 1 March, a new feature-length documentary from International Correspondent Bel Trew, which delves into Ukraine’s unprecedented search for its missing and dead in the middle of Europe’s bloodiest war in generations.

Today a trailer (shown above) has been released which gives a first look at some of the material featured in the documentary.

It comes as the world marks one year since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The 40-minute documentary, from the new TV and documentary team at The Independent, opens with the discovery of a body of a young man found bound, shot and burned beside an abandoned Russian camp in the woods outside Kyiv.

The Body in the Woods will be released on 1 March. Viewers will be able to watch it online at the Independent TV hub (independent.tv), on The Independent’s new smart TV app, and on the Independent mobile app.

The Independent TV app is available globally on a number of smart TV (‘CTV’ - connected TV) platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and Sony smart TVs. In the coming weeks, LG, Samsung and Roku will be added.

Independent TV to release first feature-length documentary The Body in the Woods

Watch live: Von der Leyen, Jens Stoltenberg mark anniversaries of Ukraine war and Estonian independence

09:06 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visit Estonia to mark anniversaries of Estonian independence declaration and the start of the Ukrainian invasion.

Live: Von der Leyen, Jens Stoltenberg mark anniversaries of Ukraine war and Estonian independence

When is the minute silence for Ukraine?

09:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A minute silence will be held on Friday to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Rishi Sunak will lead the country in the moment of solidarity “with our Ukrainian friends” to pay tribute to their courage at 11am.

The prime minister said: “As we mark one year since a full-scale war broke out on our continent, I urge everyone to reflect on the courage and bravery of our Ukrainian friends who, every hour since, have fought heroically for their country.

“I am proud that the UK has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine through this horrific conflict.

“As I stand with brave Ukrainian soldiers outside Downing Street today, my thoughts will be with all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend freedom and return peace to Europe.”

When is the minute silence for Ukraine?

Moscow must push its borders back as far as possible, says ex-president Medvedev

08:52 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday that the only way for Moscow to eventually ensure a lasting peace with Ukraine was to push back its own borders as far as possible.

Medvedev, who is now deputy chairman of Russia‘s Security Council, forecast in a message on social media that what he calls Moscow’s special military operation would end with a Russian victory and some kind of loose agreement.

Zelensky commemorates fallen soldiers in Ukraine war

08:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a commemorative event in Kyiv this morning to mark the first anniversary since the war in Ukraine began.

The president presented awards to soldiers posthumously and gave sincere condolences to grieving wives and mothers.

Watch: Defence secretary says UK not sending jets in 'short-term'

08:28 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ben Wallace, the UK defence secretary, said Britain will not be sending typhoon jets to Ukraine in the short-term.

Zelensky attends service in Kyiv

08:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukrainian president is attending a service in Kyiv to commemorate those who have given their lives to fight for Ukraine.

Britain is confident China wants Ukraine conflict resolved

08:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

British defence secretary Ben Wallace said the notion that China could supply arms to support Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine would not help resolve the conflict, an outcome he was confident China wanted.

“It can’t help the peace if China effectively supplies the one nation that has broken the international law on the sovereignty of Ukraine and been inflicting war crimes,” Wallace told Sky News on Friday when asked about reports China could supply weapons to Russia.

“But I’m also confident that China is pretty clear that it wants this (war) to stop,” he added.

‘Learn fast or you’ll be dead’: The bloody stalemate on Ukraine’s front line

08:03 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

In the eastern region of Luhansk, Kim Sengupta speaks to soldiers who have spent a year under intense shelling, battling Russians for every inch of ground as they fight for the survival of a nation:

There is a roar of noise in the far distance, echoing through the falling snowflakes. It fades away, leaving a moment of stillness over the frozen fields, and then the shells land – flame and ice, orange and white, bursting up from the ground.

The attacks on the Ukrainian positions have started once again on this front line in the eastern region of Luhansk, where Russian forces have been making small advances. It is attritional fighting, as both sides in the conflict try to claw their way out of a wider, and bloody, stalemate.

‘Learn fast or you’ll be dead’: The bloody stalemate on Ukraine’s front line

Watch live: View of Kyiv’s Independence Square on first anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine

07:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Watch a live view of Independence Square in Kyiv on the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

As the conflict enters its second year, there remains no end in sight, with a UN vote demanding that Russia withdraws its soldiers and global leaders calling for more aid to be sent to Ukrainian troops and more sanctions on Moscow.

Memorials, candle vigils and other remembrances for the tens of thousands of people who have died are planned for today as fighting continues.

Live: View of Kyiv’s Independence Square on first anniversary of Russian invasion

Britain imposes new ban on Russia on anniversary of Ukraine war

07:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Britain has imposed an export ban on every piece of equipment Russia has been found using on the battlefield in Ukraine, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has announced.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the internationally co-ordinated package of sanctions includes aircraft parts, radio equipment and electronic components that can be used by the Russian military industrial complex.

The UK is also sanctioning senior executives at the Russian state-owned nuclear power company Rosatom, as well as bosses at Russia’s two largest defence companies and four banks.

Mr Cleverly said: “Ukrainians are turning the tide on Russia but they cannot do it alone. That is why we must do more to help Ukraine win.”

“Today we are sanctioning the elites who run Putin’s key industries and committing to prohibit the export to Russia of every item Russia has been found using on the battlefield.”

Russia's Wagner claims control of Ukrainian village near Bakhmut

07:28 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia‘s Wagner group of mercenaries has taken full control of the Ukrainian village of Berkhivka, a village on the outskirts of Bakhmut, Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Friday.

“Berkhivka is fully under our control. Units of Wagner Private Military Company are in full control of Berkhivka,” he said in a post on social media.

Berkhivka is about 3 km (1.9 miles) north-west from the suburbs of Bakhmut, a frontline city that has seen intense fighting.

Zelensky says Ukrainians ‘invincible’ as he pushes for victory on war anniversary

07:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukraine’s president pledged to push for victory in 2023 as he and other Ukrainians on Friday marked the somber first anniversary of the Russian invasion that changed their lives.

As dawn broke on a day of commemorations and defiance, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted that Ukrainians had proven themselves to be “invincible” in what he called “a year of pain, sorrow, faith and the unity.”

“We know that 2023 will be the year of our victory!” the tweet said.

Matt Mathers has more:

Zelensky says Ukrainians ‘invincible’ as he pushes for victory on war anniversary

UK issues export bans on every item used by Russia in war

07:16 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Britain marked the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by issuing more sanctions against Russia, including export bans on every item it has used on the battlefield.

The Foreign Office said on Friday the internationally co-ordinated sanctions and trade measures would target aircraft parts, radio equipment and electronic components. It will also target more executives including those at the nuclear power plant Rosatom and defence groups.

100,000 Ukrainian civilian deaths: Shocking toll of Putin’s bloody invasion

06:58 , Arpan Rai

More than 100,000 Ukrainian civilians are believed to have been killed in the year since Russia launched its brutal invasion – more than 10 times the current official death toll – according to the country’s leading war crimes prosecutor.

The horrific tally illustrates the scale of devastation in the country, which has fought a relentless onslaught from Vladimir Putin’s forces since their invasion on 24 February last year.

Speaking to The Independent, prosecutor Yuriy Belousov revealed his fears about the human cost on the civilian population.

Bel Trew reports:

100,000 Ukrainian civilian deaths: Shocking toll of Putin’s bloody invasion

Putin looking to degrade Ukraine’s military – MoD

06:25 , Arpan Rai

The British defence ministry has claimed that Russia has likely changed its approach again in the continuing invasion of Ukraine.

“Its campaign now likely primarily seeks to degrade the Ukrainian military, rather than being focused on seizing substantial new territory,” the ministry said today in its latest intelligence update.

The Russian leadership is likely pursuing a long-term operation where they bank that Russia’s advantages in population and resources will eventually exhaust Ukraine, it added.

Pointing to Russia’s strategic goal in Ukraine since 2014, the MoD has said that Russia has “highly likely been consistent: to control its neighbour.”

Over 2014-2021, it pursued this objective through subversion, by fomenting an undeclared war in the Donbas, and by annexing Crimea, it said.

But a year ago, Russia pivoted to a new approach and launched a full-scale invasion which attempted to seize the whole country and depose its government.

“By April 2022, Russia realised this had failed, and focused on expanding and formalising its rule over the Donbas and the south. It has made slow and extremely costly progress,” the ministry said.

Zelensky shares damning video on war anniversary

05:47 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky has shared a video encapsulating a year of war in Ukraine, broken down into parts showing families separating in the aftermath of conflict and Ukrainian forces helping rescue people in the worst-hit areas.

“On February 24, millions of us made a choice. Not a white flag, but the blue and yellow one. Not fleeing, but facing. Resisting & fighting. It was a year of pain, sorrow, faith, and unity. And this year, we remained invincible. We know that 2023 will be the year of our victory!” he said in a tweet.

The video shows citizens left without electricity coming out on the streets to charge their electronic devices.

A slide on “a year of unity” shows widespread protests against Vladimir Putin and Russia, who invaded Ukraine after weeks of denying intelligence reports that it was building up troops with a view to marching on Kyiv.

US working to make Putin face trial for war crimes, says envoy

05:41 , Arpan Rai

A top US envoy has said that Russian president Vladimir Putin will have to face trial for committing war crimes and it is “only a atter of time” before he will be prosecuted.

More than 71,000 alleged war crimes have been recorded since Russia invaded the former Soviet nation.

Mounting evidence shows Russian forces carried out murders and executions, shelling of civilian infrastructure, forced deportations, child abductions, torture, sexual violence and illegal detention in the war-torn nation.

A global coalition of nations and international lawyers is working to build a case against the Kremlin, targeting the leaders right to the top, the US ambassador for global criminal justice Beth Van Schaack said.

China may provide Kamikaze drones to Russia – report

04:50 , Arpan Rai

The Russian military is discussing the mass production of Kamikaze drones for Moscow with Chinese drone manufacturers, German news outlet Der Spiegel reported.

Chinese drone manufacturer Xi’an Bingo Intelligent Aviation Technology has reportedly agreed to produce and test 100 ZT-180 prototype drones before delivering them to Russia by April 2023, the report added.

This comes amid warnings to China from the US, Germany and other Western countries, asking Beijing not to sell weapons to Moscow for its war against Ukraine, saying that any such move would have severe consequences.

US gives $2bn security aid to Ukraine, says White House official

04:16 , Arpan Rai

The US has readied an additional $2bn (£1.6bn) package of security assistance for Ukraine, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.

“We’re going to continue to look at what is necessary, and make sure that we provide what is necessary that Ukraine has what it needs to succeed on the battlefield,” Mr Sullivan said as he announced the additional aid.

The White House official also added that the G7 nations will announce a new round of sanctions against the countries trying to support Russia by providing backfill products denied to the invading nation due to the Ukraine-related sanctions.

“You will see as time goes on the continued erosion of the quality and capacity of the Russian economy, even as Vladimir Putin races to spend money in an effort to prop it up,” he said.

Journalists recount start of invasion in Ukraine: ‘Minutes after 5am and this is the moment’

03:47 , Arpan Rai

Journalists in Ukraine are recounting the horrific moment in the early hours of today, when the Russian invasion started at the exact moment last year on 24 February.

“It’s minutes after 5am in Kyiv and this is the moment when it’s been exactly one year since this nightmare started,” said Olga Rudenko, chief editor of The Kyiv Independent.

“A year ago, I woke up in the early morning not yet knowing that my life and those of millions of Ukrainians would be changed forever, that many lives would be lost as a result of Russia’s genocidal invasion. Yet, not for a moment during this year I doubted that Ukraine will win,” said Ukraine-based journalist Olga Tokariuk.

Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina also took to Twitter and said: “ Every Ukrainian needs a hug tonight. Numbers don’t matter, and yet it’s hard not to imagine that from now on, we’re more than a year apart from our normal lives.”

Live: View of Kyiv’s Independence Square on first anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine

03:23 , Arpan Rai

Live: View of Kyiv’s Independence Square on first anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine

War in Ukraine enters second year as allies pledge more arms support

03:21 , Arpan Rai

The war in Ukraine marked its one year anniversary today with looming fears and intelligence indicating that the Russian invasion could stretch for at least another year.

Ukraine has insisted that further support and weaponry can help bring the conflict to a conclusion, and its allies in the West are pledging to stand alongside the war-torn country for as long as is needed.

In London, PM Rishi Sunak will lead a national minute’s silence to mark the anniversary, with G7 leaders set to meet to discuss a conflict that has scarred Europe and shaken the global economy.

“For Ukraine to win this war – and to accelerate that day – they must gain a decisive advantage on the battlefield. That is what it will take to shift Putin’s mindset. This must be our priority now. Instead of an incremental approach, we need to move faster on artillery, armour, and air defence,” Mr Sunak is expected to tell world leaders in a virtual meeting.

Read the full story here:

Ukraine marks one year of war as UK and allies pledge ongoing support

Editorial: Ukrainian resistance has been of historic proportions

00:10 , Jane Dalton

Volodymyr Zelensky has become a much-loved and charismatic war leader, respected around the world:

Editorial: One year on, the Ukrainian resistance has been of historic proportions

We are growing stronger each day, says Ukrainian ambassador

Thursday 23 February 2023 23:10 , Jane Dalton

Ukrainian ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko said his country’s people had not lost their optimism after a year in war.

At a vigil in Trafalgar Square, London, to mark the anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Mr Prystaiko called the conflict an “unjustified and unprovoked war” that has “brought so much tragedy and suffering to our nation”.

He continued: “Dear American friends, with you by our side, with our British friends and colleagues and the rest of the world, we are growing stronger each and every day, driving Putin’s killers out of our lands, restoring peace and stability and respect of human rights.”

He said Ukrainian people were “not losing our optimism” and were “confidently looking at our future”.

“Ukraine is a strong, young nation with great courageous people, happy to share with the rest of the world their unique culture,” the ambassador added.

Eiffel Tower turns blue and yellow

Thursday 23 February 2023 22:12 , Jane Dalton

Paris lit up the Eiffel Tower in the blue-and-yellow colours of the Ukraine flag, as Ukraine‘s allies around the world prepared to mark one year of the war with Russia.

China abstains from UN vote calling for Russia to halt war

Thursday 23 February 2023 21:20 , Jane Dalton

Beijing has abstained in the UN vote calling for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces.

The 141-7 vote with 32 abstentions was slightly below the highest vote for the five previous resolutions approved by the 193-member world body since Russia sent troops and tanks across the border on 24 February 2022.

The General Assembly has become the most important UN body dealing with Ukraine because the Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, is paralysed by Russia’s veto power.

Its resolutions are not legally binding, unlike Security Council resolutions, but serve as a barometer of world opinion.

China’s deputy UN ambassador Dai Bing told the assembly: “We support Russia and Ukraine in moving towards each other, resuming direct dialogue as soon as possible, bringing their legitimate concerns into the negotiation, setting out feasible options, and giving a chance to an early end of the crisis and the rebuilding of peace.

“The international community should make joint efforts to facilitate peace talks.”

But European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters the aggressor and the victim could not be put on equal terms, and Ukraine could not be asked not to defend itself.

“Russia has not sent any positive signal of any minimum willingness to work for a peace,” he said.

China abstains from UN vote calling for Russia to halt war

Thursday 23 February 2023 21:19 , Jane Dalton

Beijing has abstained in the UN vote calling for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces.

The 141-7 vote with 32 abstentions was slightly below the highest vote for the five previous resolutions approved by the 193-member world body since Russia sent troops and tanks across the border on 24 February 2022.

The General Assembly has become the most important UN body dealing with Ukraine because the Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, is paralysed by Russia’s veto power.

Its resolutions are not legally binding, unlike Security Council resolutions, but serve as a barometer of world opinion.

China’s deputy UN ambassador Dai Bing told the assembly: “We support Russia and Ukraine in moving towards each other, resuming direct dialogue as soon as possible, bringing their legitimate concerns into the negotiation, setting out feasible options, and giving a chance to an early end of the crisis and the rebuilding of peace.

“The international community should make joint efforts to facilitate peace talks.”

But European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters the aggressor and the victim could not be put on equal terms, and Ukraine could not be asked not to defend itself.

“Russia has not sent any positive signal of any minimum willingness to work for a peace,” he said.

UN to vote on resolution calling for Russia to leave Ukraine

Thursday 23 February 2023 21:02 , Jane Dalton

Ukraine’s supporters have urged the UN General Assembly to back a resolution that calls for Russia to end hostilities and withdraw from its neighbour.

UN to vote on resolution calling for Russia to leave Ukraine

Four arrests after campaigners paint Ukrainian flag outside Russian embassy

Thursday 23 February 2023 20:35 , Jane Dalton

Watch:

US to unveil new sanctions on Russian people and companies

Thursday 23 February 2023 20:20 , Jane Dalton

US president Joe Biden is set to virtually meet G7 leaders and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and announce new sanctions on those aiding Russia’s war effort, the White House said.

When the group came together last year hours after Vladimir Putin launched his invasion, it imposed the first round of a series of sanctions.

“The G7 has become an anchor of our strong and united response to Russia,” White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said.

The leaders on Friday will discuss “how we continue supporting Ukraine” and ways to increase pressure on Russia.

The sanctions will include Russian banks, technology and defence sectors, and will hit both people and companies involved in the conflict, according to Ms Jean-Pierre.

The US will also announce a fresh Ukrainian aid package that will include economic, security and energy support, she added.

‘Meat grinder’ war will not stop, defence secretary warns

Thursday 23 February 2023 19:50 , Jane Dalton

The UK’s defence secretary has warned Russia’s “meat grinder army” will not stop and the Ukraine war could continue for another full year:

Russia's 'meat grinder' war in Ukraine 'will not stop', UK defence secretary warns

Boris Johnson steps up pressure on Sunak to supply fighter jets

Thursday 23 February 2023 19:15 , Jane Dalton

Boris Johnson has stepped up calls for Britain to supply jet fighters to the Ukrainians to help drive out Russian forces from their territory.

On the eve of the anniversary of Russia’s invasion, the former prime minister said the UK should “break the ice” and send RAF Typhoons to the government in Kyiv.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed for US F16 fighters as the Ukrainians prepare to mount an expected counter-offensive, but western allies have so far been reluctant to agree, citing lengthy required training.

Mr Johnson told Sky News: “What the Ukrainians want is F16s. We don’t have F16s. We do have Typhoons. I think there is an argument for the UK breaking the ice and giving them some Typhoons.

“If it is a question of training people up to use those machines, we can do that.”

Mr Johnson said it was “absolutely crucial” the Ukrainians have the equipment they need if they are to drive out Russian forces and prevent them from re-grouping for a fresh offensive.

“There is clearly a possibility, unless the Ukrainians get the help that they need, that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin can kind of manufacture out of the land that he is able to retain some sort of victory from this disaster,” he said.

“That is why it is vital that we help the Ukrainians to expunge Putin’s forces from every part of their territory.”

Mr Johnson also said it would be a historic mistake for China to support Russia in the conflict by supplying it with weapons.

Ukraine ‘repels Russian front-line attacks’

Thursday 23 February 2023 19:06 , Jane Dalton

Ukraine says its forces have repelled Russian assaults along the length of the front line on the eve of the war’s anniversary.

In the past few weeks Russia has mounted infantry assaults across frozen ground in battles described by both sides as the bloodiest of the war.

At a Ukrainian tank park near Bakhmut, the small eastern city that has become Russia’s main target, constant explosions could be heard in the distance.

“If we give up Bakhmut, everything else will get even more complicated. We can’t give it up, under no circumstance. We will hold through,” Junior Sergeant Oleh Slavin, a tank operator, told Reuters. “We are in place for now and trying to get all the territory back.”

Moscow’s forces have made progress trying to encircle Bakhmut, but have failed to break through Ukrainian lines to the north near Kremmina and to the south at Vuhledar, where they have taken heavy losses assaulting across open ground.

Ukrainian forces repelled 90 Russian attacks in the northeast and east over the past 24 hours, the military said early on Thursday.

Military spokesperson Brigadier General Oleksiy Gromov said Moscow was trying to use its manpower advantage to exhaust Kyiv’s forces.

“The enemy, despite significant losses, does not abandon attempts to surround Bakhmut,” he said.

Russia’s defence ministry said its forces fired artillery at Ukraine military units in a number of areas including Vuhledar.

Londoners hold vigil for Ukraine

Thursday 23 February 2023 18:35 , Jane Dalton

People gathered in Trafalgar Square to hold a vigil for Ukraine, to mark the first anniversary of the war.

Ukrainian schools closed for anniversary alert

Thursday 23 February 2023 18:04 , Jane Dalton

Ukraine has shut some of the country’s schools for the war’s anniversary on Friday, in anticipation that Moscow might launch long-range missile attacks to mark the date.

But Kyiv officials said they believe Moscow no longer has the capability for a dramatic show of force.

“Nothing unusual will happen. Usual (Russian) effort... A small missile strike is planned,” military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov told the Ukrainska Pravda news website. “Believe me, we have experienced this more than 20 times.”

Ukraine’s central bank marked the invasion anniversary by issuing a new banknote commemorating resistance in the war. One side shows three soldiers hoisting the Ukrainian flag after recapturing the Black Sea outcrop of Snake Island, one of Kyiv’s biggest victories of the war. The other side shows hands bound together with tape, to depict war crime victims.

Pregnant Russians flock to Argentina seeking new passports

Thursday 23 February 2023 17:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Shortly after Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, Alla Prigolovkina and her husband, Andrei Ushakov, decided they had to flee their Sochi, Russia, home.

Ushakov had been detained for holding up a sign that read “Peace,” and Prigolovkina, a pregnant ski instructor, feared he would soon be drafted and potentially killed, leaving their baby fatherless.

The original plan was to stay in Europe, but anti-Russian sentiment discouraged them.

“We chose Argentina because it has everything we needed: Fantastic nature, a large country, beautiful mountains,” Prigolovkina, 34, told The Associated Press inside the home her family is renting in Argentina’s western Mendoza province. “We felt it would be ideal for us.”

Read on here:

Pregnant Russians flock to Argentina seeking new passports

NATO has seen signs China is considering sending arms to Russia , Stoltenberg says

Thursday 23 February 2023 16:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday the alliance had seen signs China was considering supplying arms to Russia and warned Beijing against taking any such step.

The announcement came days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China of consequences if it provided material support to Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine.

“We haven’t seen any supplies of lethal aid from China to Russia, but we have seen signs that they are considering and may be planning for that,” Stoltenberg told Reuters in an interview.

“That’s the reason why the United States and other allies have been very clear, warning against that. And China should of course not support Russia‘s illegal war,” he added.

There was no immediate comment from China, but its Foreign Ministry said earlier on Thursday any potential intelligence on arms transfer by China to Russia that the United States plans to release was just speculation.

Russia and China signed a “no limits” partnership last February shortly before Russian forces invaded Ukraine, and their economic links have boomed as Moscow’s connections with the West have shrivelled.

The West has been wary of China’s response to the Ukraine war, with some officials warning that a Russian victory would colour China’s actions toward Taiwan. China has not condemned the conflict in Ukraine or calling it an “invasion”.

Stoltenberg said China was a member of the U.N. Security Council and that Russia‘s war against Ukraine violated the U.N. Charter.

“The basic principle of that charter is to respect the integrity of other nations and not to march in and invade another country with hundreds of thousands of troops,” he said. “Of course, China should not be part of that.”

China has said it will set out its position on how to settle the Ukraine conflict through political means in an upcoming paper, which Russian state media say will be published on the one-year anniversary of Russia‘s “special military operation”.

West is using Ukraine to try to break up Russia, says Russian defence minister

Thursday 23 February 2023 16:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Thursday accused the West of using Ukraine to try to break up Russia, the world’s largest country by territory, but said he thought the purported attempt to do so would fail.

“Using Ukraine, the collective West is seeking to dismember Russia, to deprive it of its independence. These attempts are doomed to fail,” Shoigu said in remarks carried by Russian news agencies.

Ukraine-China meeting ‘would be desirable’- Zelensky

Thursday 23 February 2023 15:32 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday he had not seen any Chinese plan for ending Russia‘s war on Ukraine, but that “it would be desirable” for Chinese and Ukrainian representatives to meet.

He said on the eve of the first anniversary of Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine that Kyiv had already communicated the desire for such a meeting.

“We would like to meet with China,” he said during a news briefing in Kyiv with visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. “This is in the interests of Ukraine today.”

China’s top diplomat has said Beijing will set out its position on settling the Ukraine conflict through political means in a document that will reference principles from the United Nations’ founding charter and take into account territorial integrity, sovereignty and security concerns.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected to deliver a “peace speech” on the Feb. 24 anniversary of Moscow’s invasion.

Zelenskiy said he had heard only “general things” about China’s proposals through Ukrainian diplomats, but that it was encouraging that China was considering brokering peace.

Activists paint giant Ukrainian flag outside Russian embassy in London

Thursday 23 February 2023 14:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A group of activists poured hundreds of litres of yellow and blue paint onto the road outside the Russian Embassy in London on Thursday to create an enormous Ukrainian flag ahead of the one year anniversary of Moscow’s invasion.

The campaign group “Led By Donkeys” halted traffic before spreading more than 300 litres of paint across the road using wheelbarrows and brushes to make the 500 square metre (5382 square feet) flag.

“Ukraine is an independent state and a people with every right to self-determination,” the group said in a statement.

“The existence of a massive Ukrainian flag outside (Russian President Vladimir Putin’s) embassy in London will serve to remind him of that.”

Moscow says its invasion was justified by concerns about its security.

London’s Metropolitan Police said three men and one woman had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and obstructing the highway.

The tyres of several vehicles were covered in the paint as they drove over it, leaving colorful markings along the road which borders Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.

The group said the non-toxic, solvent-free and fast-dry edible paint was washable and designed for road art.

Ukraine at war a year on: Sign up to our exclusive expert panel event

Thursday 23 February 2023 14:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

To mark the year anniversary of the war in Ukraine breaking out, The Independent is bringing together a panel of experts who have been at the forefront of the coverage of the conflict.

Our panel will be looking back at some of the key moments from the past year as well as looking ahead to what is likely to happen next and if any future resolution is in sight.

The Independent’s news editor Steph Cockroft will be hosting the event and she will be joined by Russia expert and columnist for the Independent Mary Dejevsky, The Independent’s international correspondent Bel Trew, who will be joining live from Ukraine, and Tim White a journalist who has been reporting from the war torn country for much of the past 12 months and updating his thousands of followers on Twitter regularly from the ground.

Join our free panel for an hour’s discussion and also exclusive insight into Bel’s upcoming Independent TV Originals documentary on Ukraine’s missing victims ‘Body in the Woods’.

To find out more about how to sign up click here

Ukraine has convicted 26 war crimes suspects since invasion

Thursday 23 February 2023 13:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukrainian courts have tried and convicted 26 low-ranking suspects since the Russian invasion a year ago and have brought charges against nearly 300 individuals, an official said on Thursday.

Ukraine‘s prosecutor coordinating war crimes cases in The Hague, Myroslava Krasnoborova, said the convictions were for crimes including rape and murder, the shelling of residential buildings, cruel treatment of civilians and pillaging.

So far, Ukraine has registered more than 71,000 alleged war crimes since Feb. 24, 2022, she said.

“Atrocities and destruction caused by Russia are colossal and endless. Millions of people have been forced to leave everything behind. Massive missile attacks are destroying the civilian infrastructure and many tragically lost their lives,” she said.”

“This damage cannot be undone, but what we can do is to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” Krasnoborova said during a briefing about efforts to create accountability for the widespread atrocities.

Russia has denied committing atrocities or targeting civilians.

A total of 296 individuals have so far been charged with war crimes, with 99 cases currently being handled by Ukrainian courts, she said.

Ukraine‘s law enforcement agencies are being assisted in war crimes investigations by dozens of countries and institutions.

The figures were released at a briefing by the European prosecuting authority Eurojust, where a Joint Investigation Team for war crimes in Ukraine has been established with the ICC, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine.

No arrest warrants have yet been issued in public by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which began investigating possible war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Ukraine a year ago.

Watch: Giant Ukrainian flag painted on road outside Russian embassy

Thursday 23 February 2023 13:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Putin says Russia will pay more attention to boosting nuclear forces

Thursday 23 February 2023 12:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia would pay increased attention to boosting its nuclear forces by deploying a much delayed new intercontinental ballistic missile, rolling out hypersonic missiles and adding new nuclear submarines.

It comes after he suspended Russia’s participation in the START nuclear arms control treaty earlier this week.

“As before, we will pay increased attention to strengthening the nuclear triad,” said Putin, referring to nuclear missiles based on land, sea and in the air.

“We will continue mass production of air-based hypersonic Kinzhal systems and will start mass supplies of sea-based Zircon hypersonic missiles,” Putin said in the remarks issued by the Kremlin early on Thursday.

Destruction and defiance: Inside Putin’s year-long war on Ukraine

Thursday 23 February 2023 12:01 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

It has been one year since Russia launched their invasion of Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin’s war has raged across Ukraine since early 2022, sparking an international crisis and raising tensions between the West and Russia to a point not seen in decades.

During the past 12 months, territories in the Eastern European country have been lost and gained back, and thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed.

Gas and oil prices have rocketed, and millions have been left seeking refuge but, throughout it all, Ukraine has stood strong and defended its land.

The Independent has closely covered the conflict, and, using our reporting both on the ground and remotely, we have revisited the past year’s key moments — from footage of possible Russian war crimes to soldiers being reunited with their families.

Destruction and defiance: Inside Putin’s year-long war on Ukraine

Russia intensifies attacks ahead of the one year anniversary of war on Friday

Thursday 23 February 2023 11:18 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia is intensifying hostilities in Ukraine a year after its invasion in a deliberate attempt to deplete Ukrainian forces, the Ukrainian military said on Thursday.

Brigadier General Oleksiy Gromov said Russia had set the goal of capturing all the territory it does not control in the two regions that make up the industrial Donbas area of eastern Ukraine by summer.

The fiercest fighting remained around the eastern city of Bakhmut, he told a military briefing on the eve of Friday’s anniversary of the invasion on Feb. 24 last year.

“The enemy, having an advantage in the resource of human mobilisation, is deliberately intensifying hostilities in an effort to deplete the units of the armed forces of Ukraine,” Gromov said.

“In the short term, it is important for the Kremlin to capture the key settlements in the Donetsk region, and in the future to capture (all of) the Donetsk and Luhansk regions before the summer.”

Kyiv says Russia is suffering heavy casualties as it throws recently mobilised troops into battle, but Gromov said Moscow was using better prepared soldiers from regular units in the already months-long battle for Bakhmut.

Moscow agrees to give Wagner more Ukraine battle shells after row

Thursday 23 February 2023 11:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Russia‘s Wagner mercenary force, said on Thursday that much-needed ammunition for his troops had been dispatched, after a public row in which he accused the military leadership of treason.

Prigozhin had on Wednesday published a grisly image of dozens of men who he said had been killed because commanders including Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov had withheld ammunition to spite him. Neither man commented but the ministry rejected the charge.

In an audio clip on Thursday, Prigozhin said he felt the pressure he and others had put on the Defence Ministry had paid off, and that he had been told ammunition was now on its way.

“So far, it’s all on paper but, so we have been told, the principal documents have already been signed,” said Prigozhin.

“I would like to thank all those who helped us do this. You saved hundreds, maybe thousands of lives of guys who are defending their homeland, gave them a chance to move on with their lives.”

The ministry, in a statement late on Tuesday, said allegations that “assault troops” fighting in Ukraine were being starved of shells were “completely untrue” and complained - without mentioning Prigozhin by name - about attempts to create splits that worked “solely to the benefit of the enemy”.