Russia escalates assaults in Ukraine, hitting Kharkiv, Zaporizhia

11:57 a.m.: Ukrainian energy producer says 4 energy vegetation are broken

Main Ukrainian energy producer DTEK stated 4 of its thermal energy vegetation have been broken in Russian missile assaults on Friday.

It stated in a press release that, in response to preliminary info, two workers had been injured.

Ukraine’s vitality minister stated earlier Friday that Russia had hit energy vegetation in six Ukrainian areas, forcing authorities to order emergency energy shutdowns throughout a lot of the nation.

11:53 am: Moldova calls the Russian ambassador after a missile overflight

Moldova on Friday stated it could subpoena the Russian ambassador after Chisinau claimed a missile crossed the previous Soviet republic’s airspace.

The ambassador shall be summoned “to attract the Russian facet’s consideration to the unacceptable violation of our airspace by a Russian missile that flew over the territory of the Republic of Moldova as we speak,” the overseas ministry stated in a press launch.

11:40 a.m.: Putin will ship a State of the Union deal with on February 21

Russian President Vladimir Putin will ship his state of the nation deal with on February 21, the Kremlin stated on Friday, simply days earlier than Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine marks its first anniversary.

“On February 21, the President of the Russian Federation will deal with the Federal Meeting,” which incorporates deputies from each homes of parliament, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov instructed reporters.

11:24 am: Russian assaults hit Ukrainian energy vegetation in six areas

Russia hit energy vegetation in six Ukrainian areas in rocket and drone strikes on Friday, forcing authorities to order emergency energy shutdowns in a lot of the nation, Power Minister German Galushchenko stated.

“Sadly, there are hits on thermal and hydroelectric energy vegetation, in addition to high-voltage infrastructure in six areas,” Galushchenko stated. “Essentially the most tough scenario is within the Zaporizhia, Kharkiv and Khmelnytskyi areas.

11:20 a.m.: Ten Russian missiles are launched over Kyiv, the mayor says

Ukraine launched 10 Russian missiles over the capital Kyiv on Friday, Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated.

“There’s harm to energy grids. There aren’t any accidents. Power staff are working to revive the grid,” Klitschko wrote on messaging app Telegram, citing the Ukrainian navy.

11:18 am: Russia possible misplaced dozens of tanks in failed assault on Vuhledar, Britain says

Russian forces could have misplaced dozens of armored autos in a failed assault on the japanese Ukrainian metropolis of Vuhledar, British intelligence stated on Friday.

Vuhledar, a Ukrainian-held bastion on the strategic juncture of the Jap and Southern Fronts, has seen a number of the bloodiest combating of the battle as Russia continues its relentless assault on the Jap Entrance.

“Russian troops are prone to have fled, leaving at the least 30 principally intact armored autos in a single incident after a failed assault,” Britain’s MoD stated in a each day briefing.

11:09: Russia says it should minimize oil manufacturing throughout western borders

Russia will minimize oil manufacturing by 500,000 barrels a day subsequent month in response to the West capping the value of its crude over the battle in Ukraine, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated on Friday, in response to a number of Russian media stories.

“Beginning as we speak, we’re promoting all of our crude oil manufacturing, however as we stated earlier, we won’t promote oil to those that instantly or not directly adhere to the ‘value cap,’” Novak stated in a comment launched within the Russian TASS Information was unfold company.

“In reference to this, Russia will voluntarily minimize manufacturing by 500,000 barrels per day. It can assist restore market-type relationships,” he stated.

10:42 am: Ukraine says two Russian missiles have entered the airspace of Romania and Moldova

Two Russian missiles crossed Romanian and Moldovan airspace on Friday earlier than getting into Ukraine, Ukraine’s high common stated.

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, supreme commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, stated two Caliber missiles launched from the Black Sea entered Moldovan airspace, then flew into Romanian airspace earlier than getting into Ukraine. FRANCE 24 couldn’t instantly confirm the assertion. Russia didn’t remark instantly.

Media Ukrainska Pravda quoted the Air Drive spokesman as saying individually that Ukraine has the flexibility to shoot down the missiles however isn’t doing so as a result of it doesn’t wish to endanger civilians overseas.

10:35 a.m.: Kyiv requires fighter jets once more as Russian assaults pound Ukraine

An in depth aide of Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has once more urged Western allies to produce Kyiv with long-range missiles and warplanes following the latest spate of Russian missile and drone strikes.

“Russia has been attacking Ukrainian cities all evening and morning,” Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on Twitter. “Sufficient speaking & political hesitation. Solely fast key choices: long-range missiles, fighter jets, operational logistics for Ukraine.”

Earlier within the day, French President Emmanuel Macron stated he doesn’t rule out sending fighter jets to Ukraine in some unspecified time in the future however that Kyiv wants extra pressing navy firepower.

9:32 a.m.: Russia complains that it can’t export grain via the Black Sea Settlement

Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations stated on Friday that Moscow was unable to export grain beneath the Black Sea grain deal between Russia and Ukraine final yr as a result of western obstacles, RIA Novosti information company reported.

The deal, signed final summer time, will facilitate the export of Ukrainian agricultural merchandise via the southern Black Sea ports beneath the supervision of Turkey and the United Nations. It was not supposed to facilitate Russian grain exports, and Russia continues to export giant portions of grain and different agricultural merchandise exterior of the settlement.

8:15 am: Ukraine’s air defenses ‘typically have a one hundred pc success fee’

The cellular air protection groups intercepting Russian missiles are very important to Ukraine’s battle effort because it defends its inhabitants and infrastructure from assault.

“It has develop into nearly part of on a regular basis life for the residents of Kyiv and its area; about each 10 days, sirens will go off and shortly thereafter explosions shall be heard, and folks will flip to the media to search out out what proportion of missiles or drones have been shot down by air protection techniques, reported FRANCE 24’s Gulliver Cragg, who used one group was on web site within the space across the Ukrainian capital. “It’s nearly at all times the bulk; typically it’s even a one hundred pc success fee.

7:32 am: Air raid alert sounded throughout Ukraine

An airstrike alert was issued throughout Ukraine on Friday as officers warned of attainable Russian missile assaults and urged residents to take shelter.

“There’s a nice menace from the missile assault. I wish to emphasize as soon as once more – don’t ignore the airborne alarm sirens,” stated Serhiy Popko, head of the navy administration of town of Kyiv.

5:44 am: Russia escalates assaults in Ukraine, hitting Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv

Russian forces attacked important infrastructure in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest metropolis, and launched a number of strikes on vitality infrastructure in Zaporizhia early Friday, as Moscow stepped up assaults in southern and japanese Ukraine and air raid sirens went off throughout a lot of the nation.

Zaporizhzhia Metropolis Council secretary Anatolii Kurtiev stated town was hit 17 occasions in an hour, making it essentially the most intense assault interval for the reason that full-scale invasion started in February 2022, in response to him.

In Kharkiv, authorities have been nonetheless making an attempt to get info on the casualties and the extent of the destruction, with Mayor Ihor Terekhov saying there could possibly be disruptions to heating, electrical energy and water provides.

Navy analysts say Russian President Vladimir Putin is hoping Europe’s assist for Ukraine will wane as Russia is believed to be getting ready a brand new offensive.

5:35 am: France says Ukraine wants firepower now, doesn’t rule out planes later

French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Friday he doesn’t rule out sending warplanes to Ukraine in some unspecified time in the future, however that Kyiv wants extra pressing navy firepower as Ukrainian officers stated a brand new Russian offensive was underway.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has lengthy urged Ukraine’s allies to ship jet fighters and stated Thursday a number of European leaders have been able to ship planes.

“I’m completely not ruling out something,” Macron stated when requested about the potential for sending jets on the finish of an EU summit Zelenskyy is attending.

5:30 a.m.: Macron weighs to throw Putin out of the French Legion of Honor

French President Emmanuel Macron pinned the medal of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor to Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his chest after the 2 met on the French presidential palace on Thursday, a transfer Macron stated gave France “immense” recognition of Ukraine’s bravery since Russia’s invasion ought to present a yr in the past.

Some French lawmakers and activists have urged Macron to annul Russian President Vladimir Putin’s award over the battle.

Macron didn’t rule out depriving Putin of the honour bestowed by then-President Jacques Chirac in 2006.

Macron instructed reporters on Friday that such a call “carries severe significance and needs to be made on the proper second.” He famous that he has revoked the honour prior to now.

9:20 p.m.: Conflict crimes will be seen in every single place Russian forces are stationed, US ambassador tells FRANCE 24

US Ambassador for World Legal Justice Beth Van Schaack stated in an interview with FRANCE 24 on Thursday that battle crimes and different atrocities have been seen in every single place Russian forces have been stationed. There isn’t a query that this train was a strategic failure for Putin and the Kremlin, she stated, and they’re responding with more and more determined measures aimed instantly at civilians.

Van Schaack stated the worldwide neighborhood’s response to the Ukraine disaster has to date centered on three primary pillars: strengthening Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities, assuaging the humanitarian disaster, and making certain justice and accountability for crimes dedicated.

Because the yr mark for the battle approaches, there shall be many actions on the United Nations centered on constructing a simply and lasting peace, she stated.

© Graphic studio France Médias Monde

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)

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