Daily Updates: February 2022
Daily Updates: February 2022
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** MSK = Moscow Standard Time
Hope for a diplomatic solution as talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials get underway on the Belarus border. Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkov, is now at the center of fighting with a huge explosion reported and numerous claims of street battles with Russian troops. The EU announces hundreds of millions of euros-worth of support for Ukraine including high-caliber arms, as it condemns Russia’s actions. However, NATO says Kiev’s membership of the military bloc is not currently on the agenda. The EU closes its airspace to Russian flights and announces a ban on news organizations RT, Sputnik and their subsidiaries. — Back to top
Street battles in some Ukrainian cities, while others surrender without a fight as the Russian military operation there enters its fifth day. Meanwhile, a hope for a diplomatic solution in Ukraine as Kiev’s delegation has arrived on the Belarusian border for negotiations with Russian officials. The talks are due to begin any minute now. The UN Security Council calls for a rare emergency special session on Russia’s military operation in Ukraine as Western powers try to isolate Moscow. The EU closes its airspace to Russian flights and announces a ban on news agencies RT, Sputnik and their subsidiaries. — Back to top
Russia’s delegation says it was ready to leave Belarus after the deadline for ceasefire talks expired, but will stay after information came in at the last moment that Ukraine will attend. Following a raft of aggressive NATO statements, President Putin puts Russia’s strategic deterrence forces, including nuclear forces, on high alert. Residents of Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkov, film what they say are Russian forces entering their city as sporadic fighting is reported in the area. Authorities in the newly recognized Donetsk and Lugansk republics say that the Ukrainian military is conducting relentless shelling of residential areas and has attacked a fuel depot sparking a massive blaze. — Back to top
A Russian delegation arrives in Belarus for peace talks with Ukrainian officials, but Kiev doesn’t approve of the location and refuses to participate. That’s as Russia’s military operation in Ukraine enters its fourth day. Residents of Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkov, film what they say are Russian forces entering their city as sporadic fighting is reported in the area. Authorities in the newly recognized Donetsk and Lugansk republics claim that the Ukrainian military is conducting relentless shelling of residential areas and has attacked a fuel depot that erupted in a massive blaze. Western powers ramp up sanctions against Moscow, preparing to disconnect some Russian banks from the SWIFT international payments system. China opposes such measures, saying they cannot resolve the Ukraine crisis. — Back to top
The Kremlin says Ukraine is refusing to negotiate, and the military operation will continue, while Kiev says it’s not satisfied with the conditions Russia is offering for peace talks. A source in Moscow’s defense ministry says Ukraine, not Russia, hit a residential tower block in Kiev. The Russian president alleges Ukrainian radical nationalists are using civilians as human shields by deploying heavy weapons in densely populated areas. And a Russian cargo ship is intercepted by France in the English Channel after strict sanctions imposed by the EU over Russia’s devastating military action in Ukraine. — Back to top
A residential tower block in the Ukrainian capital is reportedly hit by what looks like a missile strike. It comes as local residents film missiles in the sky and report powerful explosions in the area. The Russian president alleges Ukrainian radical nationalists are using civilians as human shields by deploying heavy weapons in densely populated areas. A UN Security Council resolution condemning Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine is vetoed by Russia, which is claiming Western double standards. — Back to top
President Putin urges Ukraine’s soldiers to take power in their own country and prevent their leaders from using the population as human shields. According to local officials in the Donetsk Republic, a Ukrainian army shelling has hit a local school killing two teachers. The Russian Defense ministry says Ukraine’s army is deploying Grad multiple rocket launchers and warns that firing artillery from residential areas is a war crime. Russia’s military operation in Ukraine – the stated aim of which is to protect the people of Donbass – continues for a second day and makes gains across the country. — Back to top
Kiev claims it shot down a Russian cruise missile above the city. The debris apparently hit a residential area, injuring eight. This as Russia’s special operation aimed at the demilitarization of Ukraine enters Day 2. Moscow maintains it has no plans for occupation. The EU, America and their allies slam the Kremlin’s operation as a barbaric attack and unveil a raft of tough sanctions against Russia. — Back to top
The video from our film crew on the frontline shows what’s happening right now as the heavy shelling continues. That’s after Vladimir Putin has ordered a special operation, saying the aim is to defend the people of the Donbass from genocide by the Ukrainian military – comments that fly in stark contrast to those of his western partners, though Putin has stressed that Russia has no plans to occupy its neighbor. The Russian defense ministry says direct fighting with Ukraine’s soldiers has largely been avoided and that safe exit routes are being arranged for those forces to leave the zone of operations. The Kremlin has issued an order to treat Ukrainian soldiers with respect. Kiev cuts diplomatic relations with Russia and urges the West to build an anti-Putin coalition while the US and its allies slam the Kremlin’s operation as a barbaric attack, vowing the harshest of sanctions. — Back to top
Vladimir Putin has ordered a special military operation in Donbass, saying the aim is to protect people there. The Russian Defense Ministry says there is no threat to civilians in Ukraine and the Russian president stressed Russia had no plans to occupy its neighbor. Earlier, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics asked Russia for “help in repelling the Ukrainian regime’s military aggression.” It comes after Donbass leaders say Ukrainian forces stepped up cross-border shell fire. Kiev has broken off diplomatic relations with Russia urging the West to build an anti-Putin coalition. That as leading world politicians slam the Kremlin’s operation as a barbaric attack and vow the harshest sanctions yet. — Back to top
The Donbass standoff heats up, with a powerful explosion going off near a TV station in Donetsk and the newly recognized Republic accusing Ukraine of ratcheting-up its shelling attacks. The leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic denies Western reports of Russian troops entering the region but says they could be brought in if the conflict escalates. Western powers hit Russia with a wave of sanctions while Moscow says soaring energy prices are going to hurt consumers worldwide. More than 90,000 have fled the Donbass in recent days by crossing the border into neighboring Russia. RT speaks to some of the refugees. — Back to top
Tensions mount in Donbass with a massive explosion going off near a TV station in Donetsk and the newly recognized Republic accusing Ukraine of ratcheting-up its shelling attacks. A fresh wave of sanctions targeting Moscow is triggered by the West, but Russia warns it’s the global energy market on which the most pain will be inflicted. That as it defends its decision to protect the Russian-speaking population of Donbass. More than 90,000 have fled the violence there in recent days by crossing the border into neighboring Russia. RT speaks to some of the refugees. — Back to top
Celebrations in Donbass as President Putin recognizes the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics, and pledges to ensure peace in the region. Germany suspends the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, as Western powers draw up sanctions against Moscow. The Russian foreign minister says Western condemnation of Vladimir Putin’s move was expected and the Minsk agreements on the Ukraine conflict have been trampled on by Kiev. Archive documents obtained by a German magazine, reveal a US pledge not to expand NATO beyond Germany, back in 1991. We discussed it with a former foreign minister of Austria. — Back to top
Fireworks, cheering and joy in Donbass as Vladimir Putin recognizes the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics. Saying also that measures are being taken to ensure peace in the region. The UN Security Council convenes an emergency session over the decision to recognize the republics, with Russia’s envoy stressing that Moscow wants a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis, but will not allow a bloodbath in Donbass. The West, though, appears more concerned with punishing Russia saying its recognition and peace-keeping mission, violate international law. — Back to top
Shelling intensifies in eastern Ukraine with artillery fire damaging a water pumping station, cutting off supplies to 20,000 people. The self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic has declared a state of emergency. More than 50,000 people have fled the violence in recent days by crossing the border into neighboring Russia, with a mass evacuation well underway. We hear from Donbass residents who’ve made the journey. Russia says it is Western powers which are stoking tensions over Ukraine, after yet another predicted invasion date reported by the mainstream media passes. Canadian authorities threaten to go after anybody connected with the mass protests in the country as a journalist says she was beaten by police while covering the rallies against Covid vaccine mandates. — Back to top
Shelling intensifies in eastern Ukraine as OSCE monitors confirm heavy artillery is being used in violation of ceasefire commitments, resulting in casualties. Tens of thousands have fled the violence in recent days by crossing the border into neighboring Russia with a mass evacuation well underway. We hear from Donbass residents who have taken refuge at a Russian shelter. Russia says it’s Western powers which are stoking tensions over Ukraine, after yet another predicted invasion date reported by the mainstream media passes. Canadian authorities threaten to go after anyone connected with the mass protests in the country as a journalist says she was beaten by police while covering the rallies against Covid vaccine mandates. — Back to top
Two people are reported killed in artillery shelling in eastern Ukraine amid a severe escalation of the conflict in the region. Forced to leave their homes due to the fighting – but with hopes of coming back – more than 40,000 residents of eastern Ukraine have crossed the border to safety in Russia where the government is providing accommodation to the evacuees. Desperate yet defiant protesters are pushed back by police in Ottawa as the Canadian government seeks to stamp out weeks-long demonstrations against the Covid vaccine mandates. — Back to top
Sleepless nights and touching goodbyes – non-stop shelling in Ukraine’s breakaway Donbass republics keeps locals at bay. Many are taking up arms, while others say they’re forced to flee, suspecting an attack by Kiev’s military. Escaping the violence out of fear for their lives -more than 40,000 East Ukraine citizens have crossed the border to safety in Russia, where the government is providing accommodation to the evacuees. Desperate yet defiant protesters are pushed back by police in Ottawa as the Canadian government seeks to stamp out weeks-long demonstrations against Covid vaccine mandates. — Back to top
Breaking news this hour, a camera crew for our sister-channel RT Arabic narrowly escapes shelling in Ukraine’s breakaway Donetsk republic. People are fleeing eastern Ukraine amid warnings that Kiev’s military is escalating violence in the region. Evacuees have been crossing the border into Russia. Russia goes ahead with its annual testing of its nuclear capabilities amid growing tensions with NATO. Canadian authorities are cracking down on the anti-mandate protesters with hundreds of police deployed in the capital. At least 70 people have been arrested. — Back to top
People are fleeing eastern Ukraine amid warnings that Kiev’s military is escalating violence in the region. Evacuees have been crossing the border into Russia. Both breakaway republics in east Ukraine are mobilizing their forces, calling for all men there to take up arms to defend their homeland against Kiev’s military. Canadian authorities are cracking down on the anti-mandate protesters with hundreds of officers deployed in the capital. At least 70 people have been arrested. — Back to top