February 24, 2024 - Russia-Ukraine news

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.

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.

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.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday that Germany and Europe need to beef up its defense capabilities and make sure it can weather any military attack from outside.

NATO was the best guarantee of defense "on both sides of the Atlantic,” Scholz said. ''Together with our allies, we must be so strong that nobody dares to attack us."

Scholz added that Ukraine would be supported in its self-defense "for as long as necessary.”  

Earlier this month, Germany met the NATO alliance target to spend 2% of its gross domestic product on defense for the first time since the Cold War. In his address, Scholz said that Germany - Europe's largest economy - will continue to hit that target in future decades.

Germany was once largely reluctant to get involved in foreign conflicts but shifted its defense policy in the wake of Russia's invasion.

Russian drone strikes killed one person and injured three on Friday evening, according to Ukraine’s National Police.

The strikes caused a fire at a residential building in Odesa, the police said on Saturday, adding that the blaze had since been extinguished.

One of the injured was rescued from the rubble of the building; all three were hospitalized.

Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa region military administration, said that a 72-year-old woman suffered severe burns and fractured limbs after remaining under the rubble for almost two hours.

The other two injured were a mother and a daughter, he said.

The mother, over the age of 60, suffered severe burns over 70% of her body, while her daughter, who is in her thirties, also suffered severe burns along with numerous fractures.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited his country's "Center" group troops who are involved in the fighting in Ukraine on Saturday, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, in a trip that comes on the second anniversary of Moscow's invasion. 

Shoigu “listened to reports from the commander of the Center group and staff officers on the current situation, the nature of the enemy's actions and how Russian troops are performing combat tasks in the operational area,” the defense ministry said.

Russian Colonel-General Andrei Mordvichev, commander of the “Center” group of troops, reported to Shoigu that during the operation to “liberate” Avdiivka, Ukrainian forces had been pushed back more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), the ministry said.

Shoigu also noted the role of drones in the fighting. Full-time units tasked with drone operations have been created, Mordvichev reportedly told Shoigu.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Saturday to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

“In Kyiv to mark the anniversary of the 2nd year of Russia’s war on Ukraine. And to celebrate the extraordinary resistance of the Ukrainian people,” von der Leyen wrote on X.

"Until the country is finally free,” von der Leyen added.

As Ukraine enters its third year of war today, leaders across the world are determined to continue standing with President Volodymyr Zelensky and are urging countries to renew their commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Meanwhile, 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.

Here are the latest headlines:

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.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the free world must renew its determination to stand behind Ukraine.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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."