Our live coverage of Russia’s war in Ukraine has moved here.
February 23, 2024 - Russia-Ukraine news
By Kathleen Magramo, Christian Edwards, Aditi Sangal, Adrienne Vogt, Elise Hammond and Chris Lau, CNN
Updated 12:03 a.m. ET, February 24, 2024
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UK unveils 245-million-pound munitions package on anniversary of Russia's invasion
From CNN's Jennifer Hauser
On the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United Kingdom announced a 245-million-pound munitions package to boost Ukraine's artillery reserves.
"The UK will spend nearly a quarter of a billion pounds throughout the next year to procure and invigorate supply chains to produce urgently needed artillery ammunition to boost Ukraine’s reserves," the UK government said in a statement Saturday.
This comes as a new round of funding for Ukraine from the US appears to be mired in uncertainties. Last week, the US senate passed with bipartisan support a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill, which includes $60 billion to support Ukraine. However, GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he does not plan to bring the bill to the floor, and the House is on a two-week break.
Canada bans export of goods to Russia that “could be used to make weapons,” foreign affairs minister says
From CNN’s Mariya Knight
Canada has introduced a ban on exporting goods to Russia that “could be used to make weapons,” Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said in a statement on Friday.
“Canada is also announcing a prohibition on the export to Russia of designated goods that could be used to make weapons and serve its war against Ukraine," the statement said.
The prohibition applies to "explosives, including detonators, that are used in the mining and construction industry,” according to the statement.
The foreign affairs minister said Canada is imposing additional sanctions on 10 individuals and 153 entities. The sanctions — placed in coordination with the US and the UK governments — “focus on areas that impact the Russian government’s ability to continue its illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine,” the statement said.
Individuals listed in the sanctions include an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior officials of private and state-owned companies registered in Russia and Cyprus, it said.
“Canada’s sanctions can now target anyone outside Canada, who is not Canadian, who violates Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement read, adding that “this includes those who help Russia and its proxies to avoid or get around sanctions.”
Most of the sanctioned entities are “part of the Russian military-industrial complex, providing research and development, production, repairs, and other goods and services to Russia’s Ministry of Defense," the statement noted, citing "components for Kalibr missiles and drones, insurance and retail services to Russian soldiers and to the Russian Ministry of Defense."
Ukraine offers Poland a plan to end border blockade amid grain protests
From CNN’s Mariya Knight
Ukraine has offered Poland a plan to end the border blockade, Ukraine's prime minister said, according to a statement published on the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers’ website. Denys Shmyhal said he arrived at the Polish border with other members of Ukraine's government on Friday to negotiate with his Polish colleagues, but they didn’t show up.
The prime minister said the so-called Plan of Understanding consists of five steps, which include launching “a joint control system at the border between Ukraine and the (European Union)” and adopting “a joint appeal to the EU commission calling for a ban on Russian agricultural exports to the EU.”
On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, President Andrzej Duda, and EU officials to come to the border. Reuters reports Tusk said on Thursday the Polish and Ukrainian governments would meet in Warsaw on March 28 but did not accept a request by Zelensky for urgent talks on border blockades by Polish farmers.
Some background: Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) said that “unknown individuals” dumped “rapeseed bound for Germany” out of the Ukrainian train at the Dorohusk border crossing into Poland in a Telegram post on Friday.
This is not the first time Ukrainian grain has been dumped on the railroad tracks at the Polish border. On Tuesday, Oleksandr Kubrakov, who serves as Vice Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine, posted a video that shows demonstrators opening railway carriages and allowing the grain to pour onto the tracks.
Farmers in Poland have boosted their protests against cheap Ukrainian grain imports and the EU's Green Deal and have vowed to continue their demonstrations for 30 days, which began February 9.
Here are the top headlines as the war in Ukraine nears its second anniversary
From CNN staff
As the war in Ukraine is set to enter its third year this weekend, Ukraine will prepare a new counteroffensive, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. He said in an interview with Fox News that the situation on the battlefield "is not a stalemate" and that Russia's "only" success over nine months has been taking control of Avdiivka.
Meantime, the United States and the European Union unveiled a fresh slate of sanctions against Russia.
Here are the top headlines:
- Overnight strikes in Odesa region: Three people were killed and at least eight wounded in overnight drone attacks in Ukraine, officials said Friday. In the Odesa region on the Black Sea, debris from one of the drones hit a building, causing a fire and killing three people, according to military administration head Oleh Kiper.
- Ukrainian defense: Ukraine shot down a Russian spy plane, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said. An official statement from Russia’s Krasnodar region did not reference a Ukrainian strike but instead reported an air crash that started a fire on the ground. The downed plane had been used by Russia to control and guide missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, Ukraine intelligence officials said. CNN is unable to verify either side’s claims.
- New missiles: Russia has begun serial production of new Zircon hypersonic missiles, which experts say are almost impossible to shoot down, President Vladimir Putin said. In addition to the missiles, Russian defense industry enterprises have "in recent years" increased the production and supply of other weapons "multiple times over,” Putin said.
- Reports of missiles from Iran: Iran has denied sending ballistic missiles to Russia, according to a statement from the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations. This decision was made to refrain from “contributing to the perpetuation of the war,” the statement said. Last month, a US official told CNN that Russian negotiations to acquire close-range ballistic missiles from Iran were “actively advancing.”
- New sanctions: The US said it will sanction more than 500 targets tied to Russia's invasion and the death of outspoken Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny. The White House indicated that it is “just the start of the US response to Navalny’s death. The EU also adopted its 13th package of sanctions against Russia on Friday, including a further 194 individuals and entities responsible for hostile actions against Ukraine.
- But US aid is still held up: President Joe Biden urged Speaker Mike Johnson and members of Congress to return and pass much-needed aid for Ukraine. The speaker has resisted calls to bring a Senate-passed aid package up for a quick vote – a move that would almost certainly spark a revolt from his right flank. While visiting Ukraine, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also called on House Republicans to pass the aid bill.
- The latest on Navalny: Alexey Navalny's mother was given an ultimatum by a Russian investigator: either agree to a secret funeral without a public farewell, or her son would be buried at the penal colony where he was imprisoned, a Navalny spokesperson said. The head of investigations at Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation said Russian authorities are “afraid” of a public funeral. Navalny’s team is also offering a reward for information about his death and the alleged perpetrators.
World leaders urge for continued support for Ukraine
From CNN's Louise McLoughlin, Radina Gigova, Lauren Kent and Mariya Knight
As Russia's war in Ukraine nears its second anniversary, world leaders continue to urge for support and aid in Ukraine.
Here's what officials around the world are saying:
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said stopping support for Ukraine is “not an option for us in Europe,” and that it would be “the best thing we could do for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.” Baerbock said that is why military support needs to continue, especially from the United States.
“We have learned, unfortunately, over the two years, this is not only a war against Ukraine, it's a war against the European peace order. It's a war against the charter of the United Nations. So Ukrainians are fighting this war for us," Baerbock said.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the free world must renew its determination to stand behind Ukraine.
“When Putin launched his illegal invasion two years ago, the free world was united in its response. We stood together behind Ukraine. And on this grim anniversary, we must renew our determination," Sunak said, according to a statement released late Friday.
Laurent Bili, French Ambassador to the United States, said that when the European Union countries help Ukraine, they are helping themselves, and the same goes for the US. He added that the "clock is ticking" to get aid to Kyiv.
“What is at stake at the moment is really about the legacy of the greatest generations, the world that we’ve been living in, 75 years of peace thanks to NATO,” he said, adding that right now is “a key moment” to help Ukraine.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement on Friday calling Canada’s support for Ukraine “unwavering and unequivocal.”
According to Trudeau, Canada has imposed a “total of over 2,400 sanctions” on Russia since the beginning of the invasion and is working with international partners “to secure long-term security commitments for Ukraine and ensure the safe return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.”
This post has been updated with comments from Justin Trudeu, Rishi Sunak and Laurent Bili.
UN chief calls for a "just peace" in Ukraine
From CNN’s Richard Roth
The United Nations chief called for peace and justice as the UN Security Council convened on Friday to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. António Guterres told the council that Russia’s aggression directly violated the United Nations Charter and international law.
“Two years on — and a decade since Russia’s attempted illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol — the war in Ukraine remains an open wound at the heart of Europe,” Guterres said.
“It is high time for peace — a just peace, based on the United Nations Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions,” Guterres said.
The secretary-general also said that “all perpetrators must be held to account” for reports of torture and sexual violence inflicted on civilians and prisoners. Nearly four million Ukrainians have been internally displaced, and over 14.5 million people inside the country need humanitarian assistance, he said.
Guterres also warned of the conflict expanding and "fanning regional instability."
Iran denies sending ballistic missiles to Russia
From CNN's Sahar Akbarzai
Iran has denied sending ballistic missiles to Russia, saying recent reports are “unsubstantiated,” according to a statement provided to CNN from the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations on Friday.
“Although there are no prevailing international restrictions or prohibitions on the sale of ballistic missiles, Iran deems itself morally obligated to abstain from weapon transactions for the duration of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” the statement said.
This decision was made to refrain from “contributing to the perpetuation of the war,” according to the statement.
US comments: The White House warned Thursday about “deepening” military ties between Russia and Iran that are helping provide material to support Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby previewed further sanctions against Iran and said the administration is "prepared to go further if Iran sells ballistic missiles to Russia."
Kirby said the United States has been closely monitoring whether Iran has provided ballistic missiles to the Russians, but officials "have not seen any confirmation that missiles have actually moved" between the countries.
Last month, a US official told CNN that Russian negotiations to acquire close-range ballistic missiles from Iran were “actively advancing.”
CNN's Sam Fossum contributed reporting to this post.
Ukraine shoots down Russian spy plane near Sea of Azov, air force commander says
From CNN's Victoria Butenko, Maria Kostenko, Andrew Carey and Oren Liebermann
Ukraine shot down a Russian spy plane, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said in a post on Telegram.
The plane was brought down between the Russian cities of Yeysk and Krasnodar, over the east coast of the Sea of Azov, in a joint operation by the air force and the Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR), a GUR source told CNN.
Oleshchuk also published a short video on Telegram that showed several bright lights in the night sky, purporting to be decoy flares sent off by the Russian plane. Flares are deployed by military aircraft to act as a decoy against heat-seeking missiles, but they do not affect radar-guided missiles, which do not rely on the engine's hot exhaust as a target.
An official statement from Russia’s Krasnodar region did not reference a Ukrainian strike but instead reported an air crash that started a fire on the ground.
Ukraine said the aircraft it targeted was a modernized version of the A-50 spy plane, which originally dates from the Soviet era. The downed plane had been used by Russia to control and guide missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, Ukraine’s GUR said.
CNN is unable to immediately verify both sides’ claims.
It would be the second such downing of a Russian A-50 plane in six weeks after Ukraine said it had carried out a successful strike on such an aircraft over the Sea of Azov on January 15.