Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
26 February 2022 - Ukraine Special Weapons News
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Combat Operations
- Ukrainian, Russian Troops Battle for Control of Kyiv VOA 26 Feb 2022 -- Residents of Kyiv are bracing for another night of assaults as Russian and Ukrainian forces battle for control of the capital, and Russian troops closed in on two other cities Saturday on the third day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. There were reports of shelling in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, which has been held by Russian-backed separatists since 2014.
- Crisis at European Borders as 150,000 Ukrainians Flee Russian Invasion VOA 26 Feb 2022 -- The Russian invasion of Ukraine could force as many as 4 million Ukrainians to flee their country, the United Nations said this week, spawning one of the worst refugee crises in Europe in more than 70 years.
- At Least 100,000 Arrive In Poland From Ukraine As Refugee Flood Intensifies RFE/RL 26 Feb 2022 -- Ukrainians continued to seek the safety of neighboring countries amid the unprovoked attack by Russian forces, with the UN estimating that 120,000 have so far fled into Poland and elsewhere.
- Heavy fighting in Kiev as US offers to evacuate President Zelensky Press TV 26 Feb 2022 -- Russian and Ukrainian forces are clashing in the Ukrainian capital, with a US official confirming that Washington has offered to evacuate President Volodymyr Zelensky from Kiev.
- Russian MoD: Ukrainian Nationalists Deploy Heavy Weapons in Residential Districts Sputnik 26 Feb 2022 -- The Russian Ministry of Defence claims that its armed forces are not conducting any strikes against residential areas in Ukrainian cities.
- Russian Forces Have Destroyed 821 Ukrainian Military Targets, MoD Says Sputnik 26 Feb 2022 -- On February 24, Russia announced a special military operation in order to protect the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR) from the Ukrainian forces. As part of the operation, the Russian military will also "demilitarise and denazify" Ukraine.
- Russia continues to hit Ukraine targets, with Moscow-Kiev talks expected People's Daily 26 Feb 2022 -- Moscow continued to exert hefty pressure on Kiev by striking more military targets in Ukraine, while the two sides have expressed intention to start direct dialogue.
- Russia seizes lots of Western weapons in Ukraine: Russian defense ministry People's Daily 26 Feb 2022 -- Russia's special military operation in Ukraine has seized a large quantity of weapons supplied by Western countries in recent months, said Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov on Friday.
- Russia continues to hit Ukraine targets, with Moscow-Kiev talks expected People's Daily 26 Feb 2022 -- Moscow continued to exert hefty pressure on Kiev by striking more military targets in Ukraine, while the two sides have expressed intention to start direct dialogue.
- Ukraine's senior defense official says Russian troops moving toward Kiev People's Daily 26 Feb 2022 -- Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Friday that Russian troops were fast heading toward the center of Kiev, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for negotiations with Russia over ending the military operation.
- Russian forces disable 118 military facilities in Ukraine: defense ministry People's Daily 26 Feb 2022 -- The Russian Defense Ministry said Friday that the Russian Armed Forces have disabled 118 military infrastructure facilities in Ukraine.
- Russia-Ukraine conflicts intensify, sending shock waves across world People's Daily 26 Feb 2022 -- Russia and Ukraine are plunging deeper into the mire of military conflict, sending shock waves across the world.
Ukraine
- Address by the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine 26 Feb 2022
- President of Ukraine expects from Russia a full-fledged negotiation process, not the language of ultimatums - Mykhailo Podoliak President of Ukraine 26 Feb 2022
- We withstood: address by the President of Ukraine on the third day of the war President of Ukraine 26 Feb 2022
- Mykhailo Podolyak on the Russian invasion: Russian troops have not gained any operational and tactical advantage in Ukraine President of Ukraine 26 Feb 2022
- Address by the President of Ukraine in the evening of the second day of the large-scale war President of Ukraine 26 Feb 2022
- Additional Military Assistance for Ukraine US Dept. of State 26 Feb 2022 -- "Ukraine is a sovereign, democratic, and peace-loving nation. The United States and Ukraine have been partners since Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union more than 30 years ago."
- Department of Defense Statement on Additional Military Assistance for Ukraine DoD 26 Feb 2022 -- "Yesterday, the President authorized an additional $350 million of military assistance from Department of Defense inventories, including anti-armor, small arms and various munitions, body armor, and related equipment in support of Ukraine's front-line defenders facing down Russia's unprovoked attack."
- U.S. Continues Providing Arms for Ukraine's Defense Against Russian Aggression DoD News 26 Feb 2022 -- Ukrainian resistance to invading forces is stiffer than Russia expected, as the U.S. and NATO continue to supply security assistance to Ukraine, a senior defense official said.
- US to send $350mn in 'lethal weapons' to Ukraine as conflict with Russia rages Press TV 26 Feb 2022 -- The United States is providing Ukraine with $350 million in additional military assistance as fighting rages between Ukrainian forces and Russian troops.
- Address by the Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov Ukraine MOD 26 Feb 2022
- Address by the Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Hanna Maliar Ukraine MOD 26 Feb 2022
- In Policy Shift, Germany Now Says It Will Send Ukraine 1,500 Anti-Tank, Antiaircraft Missiles RFE/RL 26 Feb 2022 -- The German government says it will supply 1,000 anti-tank and 500 Stinger antiaircraft missiles to bolster Ukraine's defenses in the face of an unprovoked onslaught by Russian forces, in a significant shift in Berlin's policy regarding the war.
- Czech Republic, Netherlands To Ship More Military Aid To Ukraine RFE/RL 26 Feb 2022 -- The Czech Republic and the Netherlands announced on February 26 plans to supply more military aid to Ukraine, which is facing a massive, unprovoked attack from Russia.
- Zelenskiy Welcomes Offers By Azerbaijan, Turkey To Mediate Talks With Russia RFE/RL 26 Feb 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he welcomes offers by Azerbaijan and Turkey to organize talks with Moscow as Russian troops continue their invasion of Ukraine and drive on toward the capital, Kyiv.
- Ukrainian president reiterates call for talks with Russia People's Daily 26 Feb 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday reiterated his call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold talks to stop conflict.
Russia
- Lashing Out At West, Former Russian President Calls For 'Nationalizing' Foreign Assets, Ending Diplomacy RFE/RL 26 Feb 2022 -- Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, attacked Western sanctions over Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and called for Moscow to respond "symmetrically."
- Moscow Will Respond 'Symmetrically' to Seizure of Russian Business Assets Abroad, Medvedev Says Sputnik 26 Feb 2022 -- On Saturday, the European Union placed a number of senior Russian officials, including members of the Russian Security Council, on its sanctions list, with the restrictions including a freeze on any assets the officials may have in EU jurisdiction.
- Kiev Aims to Create Ballistic Missiles Capable of Reaching Urals, Roscosmos Head Says Sputnik 26 Feb 2022 -- Kiev wants to create ballistic missile systems that have the ability to strike deep into Russian territory and Ukraine has the potential for this, Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Roscosmos state corporation, said on Saturday.
- US Drones Were Likely in the Air During Ukrainian Attack on Russian Ships, MoD Says Sputnik 26 Feb 2022 -- Moscow put its military operation in Ukraine on hold Friday afternoon after Kiev announced readiness to negotiate, but resumed it Saturday after Ukraine's leaders rejected talks on the grounds that the conditions weren't right.
- Kremlin: Russia Paused Military Op for Talks, but Ukraine Rejected Negotiations Sputnik 26 Feb 2022 -- Russia and its allies from the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics launched a military operation in Ukraine on Thursday aimed at "demilitarising and denazifying" the country in the face of a security crisis of a scale unseen in Europe in decades.
- Russia summons Israeli ambassador over regime's position on military actions in Ukraine Press TV 26 Feb 2022 -- Russia has summoned the Israeli ambassador to the country's capital for clarifications over the occupying regime's position regarding the Russian military operations in Ukraine.
- Russia does not plan to occupy Ukraine, ready for talks: Lavrov People's Daily 26 Feb 2022 -- Russia has no purpose of occupying Ukraine and Moscow is ready to hold negotiations straight after the Ukrainian forces "lay down their arms," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.
- Telephone conversation with President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov President of Russia 26 Feb 2022
United States
NATO
United Nations
- UN to launch appeal to fund humanitarian operations in Ukraine UN News 26 Feb 2022 -- Secretary-General António Guterres has announced that the UN will launch an appeal to fund its humanitarian operations in Ukraine, amid reports on Saturday of casualties and people fleeing their homes to seek safety as Russian military operations in the country intensify.
- Three million Ukrainians already in need - with future repercussions 'spooling out' before our eyes UN News 26 Feb 2022 -- Even before the recent events that "convulsed the world" last week, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator reminded that an eight-year-long conflict in Eastern Ukraine had already level three million people in need of humanitarian assistance "on both sides of the contact line".
- UNICEF Boosting Aid to Children Threatened by Russia's Invasion of Ukraine VOA 26 Feb 2022 -- UNICEF, the U.N. Children's Fund, is scaling up programs for millions of children in Ukraine threatened by Russia's invasion.
- Russia, As Expected, Vetoes UN Resolution On Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL 26 Feb 2022 -- Russia on February 25 vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that would have deplored Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
- UN chief pledges solution to Russia-Ukraine conflict, urges protection of civilians People's Daily 26 Feb 2022 -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday that the world body will not give up on finding a solution to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, while calling on conflicting parties to better protect civilians.
- Update 2 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine IAEA 26 Feb 2022 -- Ukraine today informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the country's nuclear power plants remained stable and in normal operation, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said, reiterating the necessity to avoid any action that could risk their safety or security.
- IAEA: Ukraine's nuclear power reactors running safely People's Daily 26 Feb 2022 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Friday that it was informed by Ukrainian authorities that the country's nuclear power reactors are continuing to "operate safely and securely."
Foreign Reactions
- US, EU, Britain Expel Russia from SWIFT Banking System VOA 26 Feb 2022 -- The U.S. and allies on Saturday attempted to slam the brakes on Russia's economy and banking systems by expelling selected Russian banks from the global bank-to-bank payment system known as SWIFT, the next step in a series of increasing sanctions punishing President Vladimir Putin for his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
- U.S., EU, U.K. Lead Agreement To Block Russia's Access To SWIFT Banking Network RFE/RL 26 Feb 2022 -- WASHINGTON -- A group of Western nations led by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom have agreed to block access for "selected" Russian banks to the SWIFT financial system and impose "restrictive" measures against Russia's central bank to punish the Kremlin for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine earlier this week.
- Joint Statement on further restrictive economic measures European Commission 26 Feb 2022 -- "We, the leaders of the European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States condemn Putin's war of choice and attacks on the sovereign nation and people of Ukraine. (..._) We will hold Russia to account and collectively ensure that this war is a strategic failure for Putin."
- Statement by President von der Leyen on further measures to react to Russia's invasion of Ukraine European Commission 26 Feb 2022
- All Russian Banks Under Sanctions Will Be Excluded From SWIFT, German Gov't Says Sputnik 26 Feb 2022 -- The West has imposed sweeping sanctions on the Russian economy after its President Putin announced on Thursday a special military operation in Ukraine to demilitarize and "de-nazify" the country.
- Former Finnish PM Predicts Western Sanctions On Russia Will Be 'As Big As They Can Be' RFE/RL 26 Feb 2022 -- Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb says that the West's reaction to Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine has been stronger than Putin likely expected beforehand.
- France Stops Ship Suspected Of Belonging To Russian Company Targeted By EU Sanctions RFE/RL 26 Feb 2022 -- French sea police have seized a ship that authorities suspect belongs to a Russian company targeted by European Union sanctions over the unprovoked Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, AFP and Reuters reported on February 26.
- Taiwan's opposition parties condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine CNA 26 Feb 2022 -- Taiwan's opposition parties denounced Russian aggression after the Kremlin launched military operations in Ukraine on Thursday, while underlining the need for Taiwan to strengthen its defense capability.
- China calls on UN actions to be conducive to defusing Ukraine crisis amid public rejection of escalation, 'not to Ukraine' Global Times 26 Feb 2022 -- China expressed deep concerns about the latest developments in Ukraine and stressed that faced with a very complex and sensitive situation, the UN Security Council should make a necessary response but the response should also be extremely cautious as any action should be truly conducive to defusing the crisis, rather than adding fuel to the fire, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations said, explaining why China abstained from voting on a relevant draft resolution.
- Prime Minister speaks to His Excellency President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine India PIB 26 Feb 2022 -- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke earlier today with His Excellency President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine
- Iran pursuing national interests in dealing with Ukraine conflict IRNA 26 Feb 2022 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran adopted independent stance based on its own national interests by holding talks with Ukraine and Russia, urging both warring sides to stop military operation and condemning Western adventurism as the root cause of current situation.
- Canadian PM calls for Russia's removal from SWIFT payment system People's Daily 26 Feb 2022 -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday announced a new round of sanctions on Russia, calling for Russia's removal from the SWIFT payment system.
- Views of Russian invasion of Ukraine mirror divide in strife-torn Myanmar Radio Free Asia 26 Feb 2022 -- Russia's invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the sharp divide in Myanmar a year after a military coup sparked mass resistance and armed conflict, with the junta praising Moscow for trying to "ensure world peace" and the ousted civilian leadership decrying "alarming and frightening" bullying.
- Protests Erupt In Russia, Worldwide Against Moscow's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL 26 Feb 2022 -- Protests erupted in Russia and around the globe on February 26, with thousands taking to the streets in support of Ukraine, which is facing the third day of an all-out invasion of Russia forces.
- Tsikhanouskaya Accuses Lukashenka Of 'Treason' Over Belarus's Role In Ukraine RFE/RL 26 Feb 2022 -- Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya says she has declared herself the country's "national leader" because authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka committed treason with his actions surrounding Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- The President of the French Republic spoke to Mr. Alexander LUKACHENKO, President of the Republic of Belarus today, Saturday, February 26, 2022. Élysée - President of France 26 Feb 2022
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland speak with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shymal Prime Minister of Canada 26 Feb 2022 -- Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined a call between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland and the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shymal, to offer support and express solidarity to the people in Ukraine.
- Statement by the Prime Minister on Ukraine's Day of Resistance Prime Minister of Canada 26 Feb 2022 -- The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Ukraine's Day of Resistance:
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