February 8, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

Our live coverage of Russia’s war in Ukraine has moved here.

A former Chechen commander wanted by Ukraine for alleged war crimes last year is leading the Russian earthquake relief effort in Turkey.  

Daniil Martynov was in several locations in Ukraine last year in the early weeks of the Russian invasion. He is thought to be close to the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and has been featured in several videos on Kadyrov’s official Telegram channel.  

In recent days, he has given interviews to Russian media outlets from the earthquake zone in Turkey, after being appointed last year as an advisor in Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry.

Last August, the Ukrainian security service, the SBU, alleged that Martynov had committed a series of war crimes in the town of Borodianka, north of Kyiv. 

The SBU described Martynov as the Deputy Head of the National Guard Troops in the Chechen Republic and said he was “responsible for the training of Kadyrov’s personal security detail.”  

The SBU alleged that Martinov managed the occupation of the Borodianka psychiatric hospital in March. It said that on his orders “almost 500 people were taken hostage (patients, staff and local residents), including more than a hundred bed-ridden patients.”  

The SBU alleged that the hospital had been “turned into a firing position of the occupiers” and said that Martynov was accused of “violation of the laws and customs of war, and abuse of prisoners of war or civilians.”  

There is no record of Martynov responding to the Ukrainian allegations. While dismissing the SBU accusations last August, Kadyrov said: “With regard to Martynov, he does not work for us. He’s working with the MES [Ministry of Emergency Situations.]” 

Martynov was sanctioned in 2020 by the US Treasury Department for “serious human rights abuse in Russia.” It said he was “a personal security advisor for Kadyrov, [and] has acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Kadyrov.”  

CNN is reaching out to Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry for comment on Martinov’s role, as well as to the Ukrainian Security Service.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed British lawmakers and met with King Charles on Wednesday in his first trip to the United Kingdom since Russia’s invasion of his country. Zelensky later arrived in France to meet with the French president and German chancellor. He’s now set to go to a European Council summit in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday.

Here are the latest headlines:

United Kingdom visit: During his address in the Houses of Parliament, Zelensky repeated his call for Western allies to deliver fighter jets to Ukraine. According to the UK’s PA Media news agency, the United Kingdom is “actively” considering whether to send British jets to Ukraine. But warnings from the Russian embassy in London warned the UK against providing the jets due to what it said would produce “military and political ramifications” for the whole world.

Zelensky then met with King Charles III, who told him that he’s “been worried” about him and Ukraine as the war rages on. Zelensky then arrived at a British military facility where he met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian troops being trained on Challenger 2 tanks. Then later on Wednesday at a joint news conference, Sunak announced the first Challenger 2 battle tanks will arrive in Ukraine next month. Following the joint news conference, Zelensky said Ukraine and the United Kingdom have reached an agreement on a “powerful defense package.”

France visit: French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized their support for Ukraine during a joint news conference held Wednesday. Macron and Scholz affirmed to Zelensky that the countries will continue to provide military aid to Ukraine.

Ground developments: Russian shelling appears to be increasing in parts of the Kharkiv region recaptured by Ukrainian forces last September, as well as in other areas of northern Ukraine. Near the town of Semenivka in the northern Chernihiv region, two Ukrainian civilians were killed Wednesday in a missile strike.

Military assistance: The first battalion of Leopard 2 tanks delivered by Western allies could reach Ukraine by March or April of this year, according to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. During the joint press conference with Sunak, Zelensky said Ukraine will be “intensifying our diplomacy” in regard to the request for Eurofighter typhoon jets. And while at the British military facility, Zelensky said his battlefield priorities are for Ukraine to obtain more armored vehicles, longer-range missiles and fighter jets. Two hundred Ukrainian troops are currently being trained in the United Kingdom by Australian soldiers, according to the Australian Department of Defence. Seventy Australian soldiers were deployed to the UK to begin taking part in a UK-led and based training program for Ukrainian recruits, which the Australian Department of Defence refers to as “Operation Kudu.”

The Russian embassy in London described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s trip to the UK on Wednesday as a “hasty event,” “theatrical performance,” “fundraising event,” and “ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt now on tour around Europe.”

In response to the UK saying it’s “actively looking” at whether to send fighter jets to Ukraine, the embassy warned that “Russia will know how to respond to any unfriendly actions by the British side.” 

Earlier on Wednesday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “when it comes to the provision of military assistance to Ukraine, nothing is off the table” when asked whether the UK will provide fighter jets to Ukraine.

And Zelensky hailed his visit, noting the two countries had reached an agreement on a “powerful defense package.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron shake hands during a joint statement with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Elysee Palace in Paris on February 8.

French President Emmanuel Macron told his visiting Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky that France is “determined” to assist Ukraine in its war against Russia.  

Macron affirmed to Zelensky that France will continue to provide military support to Ukraine and Paris will “adapt and re-adapt” to Kyiv’s needs. 

“Ukraine can count on us to build peace,” the French leader said, speaking alongside Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Paris.    

From left, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attend a joint statement at the Elysee Palace in Paris on February 8.

After arriving in Paris, Zelensky said he is “thankful for the spontaneous idea for us to meet and talk” in a joint news conference with Macron and Scholz.  

Scholz said Germany will continue to provide military aid to Ukraine “as long as it needs.” 

He said that Zelensky going to an EU summit taking place in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday as “a strong signal” of solidarity.  

Correction: The headline and quote from President Macron have been corrected to note that France is determined to help Ukraine to victory.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine and the United Kingdom have reached an agreement on a “powerful defense package.”

The announcement comes after Zelensky made his first visit to the United Kingdom since the Russian invasion of his country.

“I believe that this is our clear signal – of Ukraine and the UK – that together we are not only going, but will go all the way to our common victory,” he said.

See photos shared by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak from the joint news conference with Zelensky:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, is welcomed by French defense minister Sébastien Lecornu upon his arrival at the Paris Orly airport February 8.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at Orly Airport in Paris, according to the French government. 

Zelensky was greeted on the tarmac by French defense minister Sébastien Lecornu, according to live visuals.

Zelensky will head to the Elysee Palace for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.  

Ukraine will be “intensifying our diplomacy” in regard to the request for Eurofighter typhoon jets, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Zelensky suggested that the decision was not solely in the UK’s hands. 

“I will be working in that direction because, again, this is how we have been able to change many things,” said Zelensky, adding that he will be meeting with a dozen EU leaders in the coming days. 

Zelensky also emphasized the need to have these diplomatic conversations regarding fighter jets “quickly.” 

Sunak noted that it takes three years to train a Typhoon fighter pilot from scratch, to which Zelensky responded, “I didn’t even know it takes three years to train a pilot like that. You know, come on, we will be sending you pilots who have already trained for two and a half years.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said the UK is “actively” considering whether to send British jets to Ukraine. Downing Street maintained no decision has yet been taken on whether to supply the jets, though. 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, left, joins French President Emmanuel Macron for a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris on February 8.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz has arrived in Paris, according to a CNN team on the ground who spotted the German leader at the Elysee Palace. 

Scholz will meet with French and Ukrainian presidents, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky, Wednesday evening. 

Zelensky is expected to arrive in Paris soon after making his first visit to the United Kingdom since the Russian invasion of his country.

The Olympic and Russian flags fly during the closing ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia in 2014.

The United Kingdom opposes Russian or Belarusian athletes competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s official spokesperson said on Wednesday, according to PA Media.

The spokesperson said the UK has been “very clear” with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that it does not want Russia and Belarus to participate, PA reported. 

The IOC says there are currently “no plans for a Russian or Belarusian delegation” at the Paris games. However, last week the IOC said that Russian and Belarusian athletes would compete as neutral athletes if they were to participate in the Olympics.

The IOC outlined a multi-step plan for Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, arguing that “no athlete should be prevented from competing just because of their passport.”

Meanwhile, the IOC said it would continue its sanctions against Russian and Belarusian state and government officials and prohibit sporting events organized by both country’s federations.

CNN’s David Close contributed reporting to this post.

Russian shelling appears to be increasing in parts of Kharkiv region recaptured by Ukrainian forces last September, as well as in other areas of northern Ukraine.

Kharkiv, Sumy and Luhansk regions: Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, said two civilians were killed in Dvorichna, a village east of the city of Kharkiv. Russian forces occupy positions on the east bank of the nearby Oskil River.

Further north, close to the Russian border, five people were injured in Russian shelling of the town of Vovchansk, which regularly comes under fire, according to Syniehubov. “At least seven apartment buildings and two private residential buildings were damaged by artillery fire in Vovchansk,” he said on Telegram.

The front lines along the regional border of Kharkiv and Luhansk have seen more Russian shelling in the last month.

The Ukrainian military also reported Wednesday that more than 30 settlements in the regions of Kharkiv and Sumy came under fire, with some of the shelling directed from Russian territory.

“The occupiers continue to shell the border of Sumy region with mortars” 12 times on Wednesday evening in the area of Seredyna-Buda — which is right near the Russian border — according to Operational Command North. No casualties were reported.

Donetsk region: In its daily report, the Ukrainian military’s General Staff said that Russians forces had used air strikes to support troops on the ground near Bakhmut, with nearly a dozen settlements in the area coming under artillery fire. 

An unofficial Telegram account of troops in Ukraine’s 46th Brigade, which has been in the Bakhmut area for several weeks, said the Russians had reached a highway northwest of the city and that fighting was continuing there. 

The General Staff said there were also air strikes along other parts of the front lines in the Donetsk region, southwest of the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk. That area has seen intense combat involving tanks and artillery in recent weeks as Russian forces have tried to break down Ukrainian defenses.

Kherson region: According to the Ukrainian military, there was also heavy shelling of towns and villages in recently liberated parts of Kherson in the south. It listed 10 areas that had been shelled, including the city of Kherson.

The military also said that in occupied parts of Kherson, Russians are “conducting filtration measures against civilians.” Filtration measures include detention and deportation to Russian territory.

The Ukrainians said they continue to target Russian military hubs behind the front lines. “Over the past day, the aviation of the Defense Forces carried out 21 strikes on the areas of concentration of occupants’ personnel and military equipment and 3 strikes on the positions of anti-aircraft missile systems. …Two areas of manpower concentration, an ammunition depot and a fuel and oil depot,” the General Staff said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken listens during a press conference in Washington, DC, on February 8.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that the US “will continue to make judgments about what we think Ukraine needs and what it can be most effective in using.”

He was responding to a question about whether Washington would be prepared to provide fighter jets to Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been asking for fighter aircraft from Western allies.

On Wednesday, the United Kingdom said it would provide training for NATO-standard fighter jets for Ukrainian pilots and is considering providing such aircraft.

Two hundred Ukrainian troops are currently being trained in the United Kingdom by Australian soldiers, according to the Australian Department of Defence. 

Seventy Australian soldiers were deployed to the UK to begin taking part in a UK-led and based training program for Ukrainian recruits, which the Australian Department of Defence refers to as “Operation Kudu.”  

According to the department, the Ukrainian recruits first received an initial week of foundational training from the Irish Guards 1st Battalion.

The Australian soldiers, mostly from the Royal Australian Regiment’s 5th Battalion, will conduct the remainder of the training.  

The officer commanding the Australian contingent, Maj. Greg Sargeant said, “it’s our responsibility that, regardless of background, all the recruits in our company come out with the same basic military tactics and skills to adequately defend themselves, their mates and their sovereignty.” 

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced that Australian soldiers were joining the UK-led and based training program during a statement to the British parliament in January. Wallace said the program was already supported by Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, Norway, New Zealand and the Netherlands.

He also said that they are aiming to increase efforts to train a further 20,000 Ukrainian troops in 2023. 

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hold a news conference at a military facility on February 8 in Dorset, England.

Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the first Challenger 2 battle tanks will arrive in Ukraine “next month.”

Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Dorset, England, on Wednesday, Sunak said that “the challenge of tanks are going to be on the battlefield,” adding that “Ukrainian soldiers are being trained on them as fast as we can.” 

Britain has pledged to send 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. In late January, British Defence Procurement Minister Alex Chalk said the UK was aiming to complete those deliveries by the end of March. 

Two Ukrainian civilians were killed on Wednesday in a missile strike near the town of Semenivka in the northern Chernihiv region, according to Ukraine’s Operational Command North. 

The air missile hit an industrial building in the area near Semenivka, killing two people and injuring several more, the Operational Command North said in a social media post. 

Ukraine’s Operational Command North released photos of the aftermath of the strike, which show rescuers working to find people trapped under the rubble. 

The Russian embassy in London warned the United Kingdom against providing Ukraine with fighter jets, saying that such a move would have “military and political ramifications” for the whole world, Russian state media RIA Novosti reported on Wednesday.

What the UK is saying: Earlier Britain’s PA media reported that the UK is “actively” considering whether to send British jets to Ukraine, citing the British prime minister’s official spokesperson.

“We’ve confirmed there will be a training program for Ukrainian pilots and the Defence Secretary is actively looking at whether we send jets,” the spokesperson said.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “when it comes to the provision of military assistance to Ukraine, nothing is off the table” when asked whether the UK will provide fighter jets to Ukraine.

Sunak said, “when it comes to fighter combat aircrafts, of course they are part of the conversation,” adding that he had discussed the topic with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday. The two leaders were visiting a British military facility where Ukrainian troops were being trained on Challenger 2 tanks. 

CNN’s Jessie Gretener contributed reporting to this post.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrive to meet Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility on February 8 at Lulworth Camp in Dorset, England.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a news conference at a British military facility that his battlefield priorities are for Ukraine to obtain more armored vehicles, longer-range missiles and fighter jets.

“We have no way out. We have to stand firm. We need armored vehicles, we need tanks, we need fighter jets, and obviously, we spent a lot of time talking about this together,” said Zelensky, speaking alongside British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Lulworth Camp in Dorset, England. 

The Ukrainian president also confirmed he will meet with European Union leaders on Wednesday night and Thursday. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Ukraine's armed forces being trained to use Challenger 2 tanks by members of the British Army in Lulworth Camp, England.

“When we talk about the battlefield, what are our priorities — of course, armored vehicles. We know our enemy has got thousands of units of armored vehicles, back from the Soviet Union heritage,” Zelensky added. 

“And of course, NATO armored vehicles are the best, and yet there are only a few of them. When you only have 10 NATO armored vehicles against a thousand Soviet armored vehicles — well, what are the chances?” he said. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, right, and Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, left, hold a press conference at a military facility in Lulworth, Dorset, in southern England on February 8.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Ukraine “cannot be left vulnerable for attack ever again,” in his opening remarks at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday. 

Sunak said, “we must arm Ukraine in the short term but bolster Ukraine in the long term,” while speaking in front of a Challenger 2 battle tank in Dorset. 

He said Ukrainian crews, who arrived in the UK last week, will be learning how to use Challenger 2 tanks “to defend Ukraine’s sovereign territory next month.” He also said the UK has agreed to expand its training program, which Sunak says has trained 10,000 troops in the last six months. 

Sunak also said the UK will be “accelerating the delivery of our equipment” to ensure reaches Ukraine’s frontline in the coming “days and weeks, not years.” 

President Zelensky thanked Sunak and the British people for standing with Ukraine during the press conference.

“Today it is very clear that we are standing together with Great Britain,” Zelensky said. “Thank you to all the people in Great Britain, thank you for these 350 days of unity.”

Before speaking, Zelensky and Sunak met with Ukrainian troops being trained in Dorset on Challenger 2 tanks. 

Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba said he spoke to his Dutch counterpart Wopke Hoekstra on Wednesday “to coordinate our international steps as Russia’s full-scale invasion nears its one-year mark.”

Kuleba said in a tweet that he raised the issue of Ukraine’s request for F-16 fighter jets. 

Some background: Top Ukrainian officials have been escalating their public lobbying campaign for F-16 fighter jets, arguing they need them urgently to defend against Russian missile and drone attacks.

US and European officials have similarly told CNN and said publicly that the F-16 fighter jets are impractical, and note that Ukraine has not been conducting many air missions with the fighter planes it already has because of the danger posed by Russia’s anti-aircraft systems, officials previously told CNN.

But most recently, the United Kingdom is “actively” considering whether to send British jets to Ukraine, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said on Wednesday, according to the UK’s PA Media news agency. No decision has been made yet, the agency said.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will have a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels on Thursday, the prime minister’s office told CNN on Thursday. 

Meloni will be in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday to participate in an “extraordinary meeting of the European Council,” according to the official website of the Italian government.

Zelensky made a surprise visit to the UK on Wednesday, and later today, he is expected to travel to Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.