Ukraine hit by wave of overnight missile and drone strikes
From CNN’s Maria Kostenko in Kyiv, Ukraine
Emergency services respond to the scene of an air strike in Odesa, Ukraine, on February 24. Vlada Liberova/Libkos/Getty Images
Russian forces struck targets across Ukraine overnight using missiles and drones, the Ukrainian military said in a statement on Saturday.
During the salvo, Ukrainian forces shot down two X-59 guided missiles and 12 drones flying over the Kirovohrad, Odesa and Mykolaiv regions.
One person was killed after a residential building was struck in Odesa, Ukrainian national police said. Three people were taken to the hospital, while one was rescued from the rubble.
In a separate statement, Mykola Oleshchuk, the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, expressed gratitude to troops for their "excellent combat work” during the attacks.
8:25 a.m. ET, February 24, 2024
NATO chief promises more aid as he warns battlefield situation in Ukraine is "extremely serious"
From CNN’s Maria Kostenko in Kyiv
Ukraine servicemen prepare to fire a mortar near the frontline in Kreminna, Ukraine, on November 2, 2023. Alina Smutko/Reuters
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the battlefield situation in Ukraine “remains extremely serious,” but underscored the commitment of allies to continue delivery of weapons and economic support for Kyiv in comments marking two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“The situation on the battlefield remains extremely serious,” he said. “[Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin’s aim to dominate Ukraine has not changed. "And there are no indications that he is preparing for peace. But we must not lose heart."
A counteroffensive last summer by Ukrainian forces stalled and Russian forces this month captured the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka and have gone on the attack at several points along the front lines.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba recently told CNN that Avdiivka would not have been fallen if Ukraine “had received all the artillery ammunition that we needed to defend it,” particularly amid a hold-up of critical aid to Ukraine in the US Congress.
“Just in the past days and weeks, NATO Allies have announced new packages of aid worth billions of dollars,” Stoltenberg said. “These cover key capabilities like artillery ammunition, air defense and combat boats. As well as F16 equipment and spare parts, drones and spare parts, drones and demining equipment. More support is on the way.”
Stoltenberg said Putin had miscalculated in his aim to keep Ukraine out of NATO, saying the Kremlin leader “has achieved the exact opposite: Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before ... Ukraine will join NATO. It is not a question of IF, but of WHEN.”
9:23 a.m. ET, February 24, 2024
"We will succeed," says Zelensky in speech marking second anniversary of war
From CNN's Yulia Kesaieva and Duarte Mendonca
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 24. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service via Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that Ukraine will succeed and urged his countrymen to remain hopeful of victory during in a speech marking the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
“Today, unfortunately, each of us has someone to keep a moment of silence and honour the memory of. Together we bow our heads. 730 days of pain. But at the same time, 730 days of hope,” Zelensky said in the video, which was recorded from the Hostomel airport.
The Ukrainian president went on to encourage his fellow countrymen by reminding them of what has been achieved over the past two years.
“Remembering what Ukrainians have already done, you know that we can definitely do it. We are capable. We will succeed. And here, in this place (Hostomel airport), you realize it in the best way possible: the metal may fail, but not the Ukrainians,” he said.
Zelensky praised his nation for surviving the beginning of the war and even thriving against all odds.
“A nation that survived the first three days. And did not fall on the fourth. And won on the fifth day. And then a month. And then - six months. And now - two years,” Zelensky said.
“We are fighting for it. For 730 days of our lives. And we will win. On the best day of our lives,” he concluded.
6:38 a.m. ET, February 24, 2024
Russian forces claim capturing "some 200" Ukrainian troops in Avdiivka
From CNN's Maria Kostenko
Russian forces claim that they have captured “some 200” Ukrainian troops during the fight for Avdiivka, the country’s defense ministry (MOD) said Saturday.
“We have already taken out some 200 prisoners after the clearing, and as per incoming reports, we plan to pull out about a 100 more in the coming days,” the MOD said quoting the commander of the grouping, Russian Colonel-General Andrei Mordvichev.
Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, who visited Russia’s Center military grouping of troops in the “special operation zone” on Saturday, emphasized on the humane treatment of the captured troops from the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU).
“You heard what the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces said – to treat them humanely, as it has always been," Shoigu said as per the MOD.
Russia advances: Hours after Russian troops raised their flags over Avdiivka, reports emerged of several injured soldiers who failed to escape – and were later killed as Russian troops reached their position.
Avdiivka has been on the front lines since pro-Moscow separatists seized large portions of the Donbas region, including the nearby city of Donetsk, in 2014.
The town is Russia's most significant victory since it captured Bakhmut last year.
9:28 a.m. ET, February 24, 2024
Kyiv mayor urges continued US support as aid hangs in balance
From CNN’s Akanksha Sharma
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko visits a residential building heavily damaged during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on January 2. Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko called for continued US support as Ukraine enters the third year of war against the Russian invasion.
In an interview with CNN on Saturday, Klitschko addressed US lawmakers, saying, “We are fighting for our democratic future, if you have the same values please still support us.” He added that the choice was simple. “Today's world is black and white, you are for the war or you are against the war, you [are] for democracy or for dictatorship,” Klitschko said.
Thanking the US for its financial and military support, Klitschko said that while the country is better protected than before receiving the anti-missile system from the US, “we still need much more protection” because “no one feels safe in Ukraine.”
Kyiv citizens, including children, have suffered over the past two years of war, Klitschko said and alleged that Russia stands in clear violation of the rules of warfare that call for sparing civilian women and children.
Remember: A constant drip feed of aid from Western countries, particularly the US, as well as the provision of modern weaponry, has proved a vital lifeline for Ukraine in its war.
But in early 2024, a US aid package for Ukraine stalled. The US Senate passed with bipartisan backing a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill, which includes $60 billion to support Ukraine. However, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has resisted moves for a quick vote, which would likely face a revolt from members of his own party.
6:09 a.m. ET, February 24, 2024
"No one believed that we could stand," says Ukraine's army chief on second anniversary of war
From CNN's Maria Kostenko
Ukraine’s army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Saturday that “no one in the world believed that we would stand” in an emotional post marking the second anniversary of Russian’s war on Ukraine.
“When thousands of columns of Russian invaders moved from all directions into Ukraine, when thousands of rockets and bombs fell on our land, no one in the world believed that we would stand,” Syrskyi said.
In the post, Syrskyi reiterated his praise for the thousands of Ukrainians who volunteered to help the military, many taking up weapons and serving in the frontlines.
Syrskyi listed a series of highlights of the two years of the war, such as the battle for Kyiv and the liberation of Kherson. “Today, we continue to fight the enemy along the entire front line. We pay the highest price for our freedom so that every Ukrainian city or village does not become another Bucha, Bakhmut or Avdiivka,” he said.
Syrskyi also paid tribute to those who lost their lives for Ukraine, vowing to “take revenge” and commended volunteers working closely with the emergency services for their work in bringing “victory closer.”
“Today, more than ever, we need unity. I am convinced that unity is our victory. And it will definitely be. Because light always defeats darkness!” Syrskyi added.
Russia’s war in Ukraine has so far cost the lives of over 10,300 civilians, according to the United Nations.
5:54 a.m. ET, February 24, 2024
Ukraine’s First Lady highlights abduction of Ukrainian children on war anniversary
Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska attends a book presentation event in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 21. Kirill Chubotin/Ukrinform/Future Publishing/Getty Images
Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska has highlighted the illegal abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia in comments marking two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement posted on X on Saturday, she wrote: “Two years. For children, this is like a whole eternity that should have been full of discoveries, laughter in the school corridors, and happy moments with loved ones. "Instead, it became a tragedy. Russia killed 528 Ukrainian children, wounded more than 1,230, abducted more than 19,000, and forced more than 2 million to leave their homes.” Russia, Zelenska added, “is deliberately targeting our children. For two years now, Ukraine has been rescuing and returning its children, giving them families and new homes. We will not allow their future to be ruined.”
The International Criminal Court last year issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian official Maria Lvova-Belova for an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia.
The Russian government has defended the practice, saying they are saving the children and deny that the deportations are forced. The Kremlin has labeled the ICC’s actions as “outrageous and unacceptable.”
In July 2023, Ukrainian prosecutors said Ukraine has opened more than 3,000 criminal cases over Russia’s alleged crimes against children in the country, including dozens of torture cases.
5:30 a.m. ET, February 24, 2024
Ukraine says it was behind drone attack on major Russian metal plant
From CNN’s Victoria Butenko and Nathan Hodge
Ukrainian security services were behind an overnight drone strike that caused a fire at a major metal plant in south-central Russia, a Ukrainian source said.
According to the source, a drone strike on the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant was organized by two Ukrainian intelligence services, the Security Service of Ukraine and Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.
"This is one of the largest metallurgical plants in Russia," the source said. "The plant operates for the Russian military-industrial sector and executes a large number of government orders. Its raw materials are used to manufacture Russian missiles, artillery, drones, etc. Therefore, it is a legitimate target for Ukraine."
Video that surfaced on social media appeared to show a fire at the plant. According to the Ukrainian security services, drones hit the facilities intended for primary cooling of untreated coke oven gas.
Russian state news agencies quoted the governor of the Lipetsk region as saying that fire broke out in one of the plant's workshops and had been extinguished with no casualties. There was no threat of release of hazardous substances, the governor added, according to RIA-Novosti.
The governor cited preliminary information from Russian intelligence services saying the fall of an aircraft caused the fire, and said information and videos posted on social networks were being verified, RIA reported.
6:47 a.m. ET, February 24, 2024
Foreign leaders arrive in Kyiv on second anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine
From CNN’s Paula Newton, Maria Kostenko and Katherine Iorio
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo speak during a joint meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 24. Belgian Prime Minister and European Commission President are on a visit in Ukraine, on the day of the second year' anniversary of the start of the conflict with Russia. Benoit Doppagne/Belga/Sipa USA/AP
Foreign leaders have begun arriving in Kyiv on Saturday to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Saturday morning, according to a government source traveling with Trudeau.
Writing on X, Trudeau said Canada's support for the Ukrainian people remains "steadfast."
“To reaffirm that support, I’m in Kyiv with @CAFreeland [Canadian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland] and @BillBlair [Canadian Minister of National Defence Bill Blair]."
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson – who developed a close relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his time in power – is also there.
“On this grim second anniversary of Putin’s invasion I am honoured to be here in Ukraine. With their indomitable courage I have no doubt that the Ukrainians will win and expel Putin’s forces - provided we give them the military, political and economic help that they need,” Johnson wrote on X.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also travelled to Kyiv on Saturday to express her solidarity with the Ukrainian people, the Embassy of Ukraine to Italy posted on X.
This post has been updated with details on other foreign arrivals.
