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Russia-Ukraine war live: ‘we will rebuild’ says Zelenskiy on anniversary of invasion; China calls for end to attacks on civilians


Key events

“Russian warship, go fuck yourself”: these may be the most famous five words said in the war.

Ukrainian soldiers defending an island in the Black Sea from an air and sea bombardment reportedly told an officer on board a Russian navy warship to “go fuck yourself” when asked to surrender on 25 February 2022.

There were 13 border guards stationed on Snake Island, a roughly 16-hectare (40-acre) rocky island owned by Ukraine that sits about 186 miles (300km) west of Crimea, when Russian troops bombed the island on Thursday.

Bohdan Hotskiy shot in Izmail, Ukraine in 2022. Hotsskiy was a captain on Snake Island when it was attacked by Russia on 25 February 2022.
Bohdan Hotskiy shot in Izmail, Ukraine in 2022. Hotsskiy was a captain on Snake Island when it was attacked by Russia on 25 February 2022. Photograph: Christopher Cherry/The Guardian

The exchange went like this, my colleague Luke Harding reported later:

Russian warship: “Snake Island. I, Russian warship, repeat the offer: lay down your arms and surrender, or you will be bombed. Have you understood me? Do you copy?”

First border guard to second border guard: “Well, that’s it then. Or do we need to tell them back to fuck off?”

Second border guard to first border guard: “Might as well.”

First border guard: “Russian warship, go fuck yourself.”

Soon after the conversation, the Ukrainian military command lost contact with the island. It assumed all of its defenders had been killed.

But days later it emerged that they had surrendered and were prisoners of war. They were freed in March that year.

In the meantime, Harding writes, the phrase “became a national slogan, a global meme and a symbol of Ukraine’s heroic defiance in the face of Russian aggression.”

You can read the full story of what happened to the men in Snake Island here:

G20 financial leaders must condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told Reuters in an interview on Friday.

Speaking on the first day of the G20 financial leaders meeting in Bengaluru, Le Maire also said that Europe was “thinking and working on new sanctions on Russia”.

Here is a video of the UN’s vote earlier on Russia withdrawing from Ukraine.

The United Nations overwhelmingly isolated Russia by calling for a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace”, demanding Russia withdraw its troops from Ukraine and stop fighting. Marking one year since Moscow’s invasion, the resolution was adopted with 141 votes in favour and 32 abstentions. Six countries joined Russia to vote no: Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua and Syria. China abstained from the vote – accusing the west of “adding fuel to the fire” – a day after Beijing’s top diplomat visited Moscow and pledged a deeper partnership with Russia:

UN marks one year of Ukraine war with vote as Germany and China clash over supply of weapons – video

On 9 March, two weeks after the invasion began, Russian forces bombed a maternity hospital in Mariupol.

The image of Mariana Vishegirskaya, heavily pregnant in cheerful pyjamas, her face smeered with blood, became a beacon of Russia’s ruthlessness.

An injured pregnant woman walks downstairs in the damaged by shelling maternity hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine, Wednesday, 9 March 2022.
An injured pregnant woman walks downstairs in the damaged by shelling maternity hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine, Wednesday, 9 March 2022. Photograph: Evgeniy Maloletka/AP

Vishegirskaya was later targeted by a Russia disinformation campaign accusing her of faking the injuries. The Russian embassy in London claimed in a series of tweets that Vishegirskaya had been employed as an actor to stage the photos, including a photo of a completely different woman being stretchered out of the hospital.

On 11 March, she gave birth to a baby girl.

Marianna Vishegirskaya lies in a hospital bed after giving birth to her daughter Veronika, in Mariupol, Ukraine, Friday, 11 March 2022.
Marianna Vishegirskaya lies in a hospital bed after giving birth to her daughter Veronika, in Mariupol, Ukraine, Friday, 11 March 2022. Photograph: Evgeniy Maloletka/AP

Let’s take a look at some of the images that have captured the events of the last year.

The first is Zelenskiy addressing Ukrainians on 24 February 2022. Appearing shortly after midnight, Ukraine’s president urged Putin to, “Listen to the voice of reason”.

“The Ukrainian people want peace,” he said.

Later that day, as Russia launched strikes accross the country, hitting 16 cities, Zelenskiy spoke again.

Putin “wants to destroy our country, and everything we have been building. But we know the strength of the Ukrainian people,” he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks at a news briefing in Ukraine, 24 February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks at a news briefing in Ukraine, 24 February 2022. Photograph: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters

A few days later, Zelenskiy walked streets of Kyiv’s government district defiantly, proving that, contrary to rumours he had fled, he was still in the country – where he would remain for almost the entire first year of the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks alongside other Ukrainian officials in the governmental district of Kyiv, confirming that he is still in the capital, in Kyiv, Ukraine 25 February 2022 in this screengrab obtained from a handout video.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks alongside other Ukrainian officials in the governmental district of Kyiv, confirming that he is still in the capital, in Kyiv, Ukraine 25 February 2022 in this screengrab obtained from a handout video. Photograph: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters

Today on the Guardian’s Today in Focus podcast: searching for the first casualty of the war in Ukraine.

Denys Tkach was killed in the early hours of 24 February 2022, an hour and twenty minutes before Putin announced a “special military operation” in Ukraine. He was serving on a military checkpoint near the village of Zorynivka in the eastern Luhansk region. Was this the moment that the war really began?

The Guardian’s chief reporter Daniel Boffey has been looking into what happened in the final hours of his life. He tells Michael Safi about meeting people who knew Tkach and learning about the complicated consequences of his death.

Ukraine welcomes China’s position paper as ‘a good sign’ and calls for China’s help

Ukraine has responded to China’s publication of a position paper on ending the war, saying it is a “good sign and a sign that China wants to be involved in the global efforts to stop the war in Ukraine,” Reuters reports, citing Leshchynska Zhanna, the charge d’affaires at the Ukrainian embassy in China.

Zhanna also called for China offering more support to Ukraine, saying, “Ukraine would like to see China on its side, at the moment hina is not supporting Ukraine efforts.”

Ukraine has a peace plan which it hopes China supports, she said.

Earlier this week, Zelenskiy said that he had not been shown what was then being referred to as China’s ‘peace plan’, but that he would be open to a meeting with Chinese leaders.

In cities around the world, people are protesting and commemorating the war.

In New York, a silent candlelight vigil took place front of the Russian embassy on Thursday night.

Ukrainian refugees and locals gathered for a ceremony in the village of Grabie, Wieliczka, Poland.

Closer to home, a commemoration event took place at the Lychakiv military cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine, where family members visited the graves of fallen soldiers.

Here are some of the pictures:

People hold banners during a silent candlelight vigil to show support for Ukraine in New York City, New York.
People hold banners during a silent candlelight vigil to show support for Ukraine in New York City, New York. Photograph: David Dee Delgado/Reuters
A view of the main post office illuminated during a light show in Kyiv, Ukraine.
A view of the main post office illuminated during a light show in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Ukrainian refugees and locals gather for ‘Light for Ukraine’ ceremony in the village of Grabie, Wieliczka, Poland.
Ukrainian refugees and locals gather for ‘Light for Ukraine’ ceremony in the village of Grabie, Wieliczka, Poland. Photograph: Artur Widak/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock
People attend a candlelight vigil in front of the Russian embassy in New York City, New York.
People attend a candlelight vigil in front of the Russian embassy in New York City, New York. Photograph: Irynka Hromotska/Reuters
A commemoration event takes place at the Lychakiv military cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine, where family members visit the graves of fallen soldiers.
A commemoration event takes place at the Lychakiv military cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine, where family members visit the graves of fallen soldiers. Photograph: Mykola Tys/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock
A woman seen in Asser Levy Park, Brooklyn, New York City, to mark one-year since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
A woman seen in Asser Levy Park, Brooklyn, New York City, to mark one-year since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Photograph: Edna Leshowitz/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock

Here is the full story on Shakhtar Donetsk’s thrilling – and very well-timed – Europa League win:

Hi, Helen Sullivan back with you.

Some US lawmakers have expressed displeasure with South Africa’s decision to host joint military exercises with Russia and China on the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but said it would not scupper health partnerships between the two countries.

South Africa’s 10-day joint naval exercises with Russia and China, which are being held off South Africa’s country’s east coast and which South Africa has called routine, have fuelled domestic criticism and fears that the drills will endanger important relations with western partners.

The Russian military frigate "Admiral Gorshkov" docked at the port in Richards Bay on 22 February 2023.
The Russian military frigate “Admiral Gorshkov” docked at the port in Richards Bay on 22 February 2023. Photograph: Guillem Sartorio/AFP/Getty Images

Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham said any country that does such exercises are “gonna have problems,” but added that ending his country’s 20-year-old US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) programme aimed at HIV treatment and prevention could also hurt the United States. Graham was speaking at a press briefing in Johannesburg.

Graham said he would work with the Republican caucus to have Pepfar reauthorised this year “despite the problems going on here in South Africa with the Russians.”

Democratic Senator Chris Coons hinted that senators discussed the military exercises with South Africa’s foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, in a meeting on Wednesday, but added that “every other minute here has been about Pepfar.”

Pandor’s spokesperson Lunga Ngqengelele confirmed that the meeting took place but could not immediately confirm the discussions.

I’ll hand you back to my colleague Helen Sullivan who will continue to deliver all the latest developments as the day unfolds.

Before I go, here is a little more detail from US national security adviser Jake Sullivan’s interview with CNN this evening.

Sullivan told the broadcaster that the US has vowed to do “everything in our power to get you the equipment and the ammunition” that Ukraine needs.

That includes 155-millimetre artillery shells, 120-millimetre tank shells among other tools like Himars missiles.

He said the US and Nato countries aim to increase ammunition for Ukraine “so that the total supply of each of these different forms of ammunition grows month by month and we can continue to move to the front lines.”

He said countries are putting in “immense effort and resources” into ramping up ammunition, but noted that “this is not something we can do with the snap of a finger.”

US to provide Ukraine additional $2bn in security assistance

The US will provide Ukraine an additional $2bn in security assistance, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has said.

Sullivan made the announcement while speaking with the news broadcaster during a special live town hall to mark one year of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.

Sullivan said US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have had “deep conversations” about providing Ukraine with the weaponry and tools needed to fight the war against Russia.

We’re going to continue to look at what is necessary, and make sure that we provide what is necessary that Ukraine has what it needs to succeed on the battlefield.”

He said during Biden’s recent surprise visit to Ukraine, the US president “brought with him an announcement of more artillery, more ammunition, more Himars on the back of major announcements about American tanks and armoured vehicles.”

Sullivan also mentioned recently announced security assistance for Ukraine, as well as more technology.

We will keep working with them month by month to figure out if there are additional tools that they need,” Sullivan said.

The European Council has released this statement on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The European Union will continue to support Ukraine in political, economic, humanitarian, financial and military terms, including through swift coordinated procurement from European industry. We will also support Ukraine’s reconstruction, for which we will strive to use frozen and immobilised Russian assets in accordance with EU and international law.

We will further increase collective pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression. To this end we will adopt a tenth sanctions package and we will take steps against those who attempt to circumvent EU measures.

We support President Zelenskiy’s peace formula. Together with our international partners, we will make sure that Ukraine prevails, that international law is respected, that peace and Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders are restored, that Ukraine is rebuilt, and that justice is done.

Until that day, we will not rest.”

Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen raised the Ukrainian flag in front of the EU Commission.

The spirit and resolve of our Ukrainian friends are an inspiration to us all.

Today we proudly raise their flag in front of the @EU_Commission

One day Ukraine will join our European family.

One day this flag will fly high everyday in Brussels, where it rightfully belongs. pic.twitter.com/j25Q9MZnF0

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 23, 2023

Samantha Lock

Samantha Lock

Hello it’s Samantha Lock with you as my colleague Helen Sullivan takes a short break.

As I reflect on one year of covering the Russia-Ukraine war, here is a short snippet of what I recall on 24 February, 2022:

Putin’s forces invaded in an unprecedented pre-dawn attack that hit as most major European newsrooms were sleeping. It was about 2pm in Sydney when the first series of missiles were launched towards Kyiv.

I was live-streaming the event when Putin announced his invasion.

About an hour into the meeting when speakers took the floor to denounce Russia’s escalating tensions towards Ukraine, rumours began to circulate that an offensive against Ukraine had begun.

Back in Russia, President Vladimir Putin went on television to announce a “special military operation” in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region had commenced.

The first few hours of war were frantic as missiles began to rain down near Kyiv and Putin’s plan became clear.

Handing over to my colleagues in London as Europe woke up to a new reality, I never imagined the war would dominate the news agenda one year on.

US to impose new sanctions

US President Joe Biden will meet virtually on Friday with G7 leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and announce new sanctions against those aiding Russia’s war effort, the White House said.

The same group came together last year hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, imposing the first round of a series of sanctions, Reuters reports.

“The G7 has become an anchor of our strong and united response to Russia,” White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Thursday. The leaders on Friday will discuss “how we continue supporting Ukraine” and ways to increase pressure on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine a year ago, she said.

The sanctions will include Russian banks, technology and defense sectors, and will impact both people and companies involved in the conflict, according to Jean-Pierre.

The US will also announce a fresh Ukrainian aid package that will include economic, security and energy support, she added.

Japanese chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Friday that Japan, as chair of the G7, wants to strengthen G7 ties and show firm cooperation with Ukraine.

Japan is set to host an online G7 summit later on Friday to discuss the conflict.

China’s position paper on Ukraine calls for ceasefire, ‘gradual de-escalation’ and negotiations

We’re just getting the first look at what is inside China’s so-called “Peace plan” for Ukraine, which was notably not shared with Ukraine’s leaders.

So far, it looks fairly unsurprising, noting the dangers of nuclear weapons, which should be avoided, stressing the need for negotiations, and saying that ‘“one country’s security cannot be at the expense of another country’s security”. But one thing stands out, which is that China says it is opposed to “any unilateral sanctions not authorised by UN security council”.

Many countries have imposed their own sanctions against Russian products, including gas, selling products within Russia, and on wealthy Russians with links to the Kremlin. So it seems like the cat’s out of the bag on that one.

The paper also warns that, “nuclear weapons cannot be used and nuclear war cannot be fought”

Here are the dot points from the peace plan:

  • Respect sovereignty of all countries

  • Country’s security cannot be at expense of other countries’ security

  • Regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding military blocs

  • Cease fire and stop fighting, prevent Ukraine crisis from further aggravating or even getting out of control

  • Gradually promote de-escalation and easing of situation and finally reach comprehensive ceasefire

  • Dialogue, negotiation are only viable way to resolve Ukraine crisis

  • Maintain safety of nuclear power plants, oppose armed attacks on nuclear facilities

  • Nuclear weapons cannot be used and nuclear war cannot be fought

  • Prevent nuclear proliferation, avoid any nuclear crisis

  • We oppose development, use of biological and chemical weapons by any country under any circumstances

  • Oppose any unilateral sanctions not authorised by UN security council

On Thursday, Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said he had not seen any Chinese peace plan but he would welcome a meeting between Ukraine and China.

“We would like to meet with China,” he said during a news briefing in Kyiv with the visiting Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, on the eve of the first anniversary the invasion.

Here is Zelenskiy on 25 February 2022, the day after Russia had invaded:

Zelenskiy, February 25, 2022: “Now I want to address the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Stand firmly. You are all we have. You are everything that protects our state. Glory to Ukraine” pic.twitter.com/q61AuMCPmZ

— Alina Bondarenko 🇺🇦 (@alina_bondarnk) February 23, 2023

More now on the significance of the UN general assembly’s resolution calling for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine, via AP.

The General Assembly has become the most important UN body dealing with Ukraine because the Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, is paralyzed by Russia’s veto power. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, unlike Security Council resolutions, but serve as a barometer of world opinion.





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