War in Ukraine
Ukraine considers sanctions against Alexander Lukashenka as a first step. A legal framework is being prepared for further strengthening of the sanctions policy due to support for the war against Ukraine.
Head of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov expects a prisoner exchange this week. It concerns a significant number of people, more than the previous time.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that Hungary's and Slovakia's ultimatums should be addressed to the Kremlin. He emphasized the need to increase pressure on Russia and the importance of investing in Ukraine's defense industry.
President Zelenskyy announced that approximately seven thousand Ukrainians are being held in Russian prisons, where they are treated more harshly than political prisoners from other countries. He also stated Ukraine's readiness to assist in the release of Belarusian political prisoners.
Russia destroyed the Druzhba oil pipeline, and Ukraine has committed to repairing it, independently determining the timelines. A meeting of the oil coordination group to assess the situation will take place on February 25.
A new minority coalition government, led by 38-year-old Rob Jetten, has taken office in the Netherlands. He will have to seek opposition support to pass laws, as his coalition holds only 66 out of 150 seats in parliament.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reported stable gas and electricity imports. The government is mobilizing all resources and providing targeted assistance to the population.
The only private manufacturer of 12. 7 mm caliber ammunition in Ukraine, Spetsmashkomplekt LLC, stopped production after SBU searches. The company is accused of manufacturing substandard products, but the management insists on quality and compliance with all requirements.
The former head of the military medical commission of the State Border Guard Service has been served with a suspicion notice due to inaccurate data in his declaration worth millions of hryvnias. He understated the value of an apartment purchased in Kyiv and did not declare his real income.
The XXV Winter Olympic Games 2026 have concluded, with Ukraine represented by 46 athletes, achieving eight top-10 finishes. The closing ceremony took place in Verona, Milan, and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
In the Khmelnytskyi region, a 10-year-old boy died and his 45-year-old mother was injured as a result of a grenade explosion. Police are investigating the incident that occurred on February 22 in the village of Mala Kuzhelivka.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the destruction of the Bastion missile division in Crimea. Ammunition and logistics depots, as well as an enemy UAV control point, were also destroyed.
Russian forces attacked Ukrainian logistics, including railway and water infrastructure. This happened after strikes on energy infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Donald Trump's words about a "dictator. " Zelenskyy denied the accusations, emphasizing that he is not a dictator and did not start the war.
In Odesa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy regions, some consumers are without electricity. In most regions, hourly and emergency blackouts are in effect.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that it is currently unknown how the war will end. He emphasized that Ukraine is not losing yet.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine wants to see a foreign contingent closer to the front line, not in rear cities. France and Britain are ready to provide a brigade each, and other countries are also expressing readiness.
Hungary threatens to block the EU's support package for Ukraine, including a €90 billion loan, due to disputes over energy supplies. This could leave Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa without EU solutions for Ukraine during their visit on the anniversary of the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted that every kilometer of the occupiers' advance costs Russia about 157 dead.
As of the morning of February 23, 12 victims of the terrorist attack that occurred on the night of February 22 are in Lviv hospitals. Two of them are in stable condition, three are in intensive care, and seven more are being treated in specialized departments.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that regaining control over all territories of Ukraine is a matter of time, but currently it would lead to millions of casualties. The President emphasized the lack of resources and weaponry for such a step.
In the morning, Kharkiv was shelled in the Kholodnohirskyi and Osnovianskyi districts. A 55-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman suffered from an acute stress reaction.
As the fourth anniversary of the war approaches, Ukraine's birth rate is falling, and the number of people struggling with fertility or postponing the decision to have children is growing. Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has lost about 10 million people, and the birth rate has fallen below one.
Ukrzaliznytsia provided operational information on train movements on February 23. In Kherson, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, traffic is organized taking into account the security situation, and some routes have been replaced by buses.
EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas announced discussions on the 20th sanctions package, but no progress is expected. Hungary is blocking it due to oil transit.
Over the past day, 130 combat engagements were recorded at the front, with over a third of them occurring in the Huliaipole and Pokrovsk directions. The occupiers launched 2 missile and 95 air strikes, employing 8990 kamikaze drones.
President Zelenskyy stated that air defense is the most difficult issue, as partners do not provide licenses for the production of Patriot systems or missiles for them. He emphasized that closing the sky would strengthen the economy and the army.
Russians attacked Zaporizhzhia with UAVs, damaging an industrial infrastructure facility. As a result of the strike, a 33-year-old man was killed, and a 45-year-old man was injured.
President Zelenskyy thanked Europe for its funding, particularly for the PURL program for air defense procurement. He noted that some countries provide sufficient aid, others provide little, and some block it.
Russia launched a ballistic missile and 126 drones at Ukraine. Ukrainian air defense shot down or suppressed 105 enemy drones.