That’s the end of our updates today, but before we go any further, here’s a rundown of the key developments.
‘Inadequate training’: Russia bombed its own territory for the fourth time in a month, the UK Ministry of Defence claimed.
Warehouse fire: A fire broke out in a warehouse in the Kyiv region after a Russian attack, the Ukrainian National Police announced.
Dissident transferred: A Russian-British dissident who disappeared from the Siberian penal colony where he was detained has reportedly been transferred somewhere else in the region.
Command reshuffle: Ukraine’s president is preparing to update General Zaluzhnyi in what would be the most significant update to the army’s command since Russia’s invasion, the Financial Times reported.
New offensive? The intelligence leader of Ukraine’s military said he expected the Russian offensive on the front line to lose steam in early spring, when that would be Ukraine’s “decision. “
Lviv is the first region in Ukraine to remove all of its Soviet-era monuments, its governor announced.
The move is that of a broader war crusade to erase all lines of Russian rule.
Once Moscow’s attacks run out, it will be Ukraine that acts, Kyrylo Budanov, director of Ukraine’s GUR news agency, said on national television.
“There has been a significant increase in the volume of production. We have more than doubled production of the missiles we need for air defence,” he said while visiting a missile factory.
“But there are some key issues that we want to address and we want to address them with great vigor. There’s the question of engines and the question of building launcher production. “
A Russian pacifist rock band could be deported from Thailand after being arrested for operating without permission, officials said.
There are fears that the self-exiled organization Bi-2 could face serious punishment if sent back to Moscow, after having condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the past.
The band members were arrested after a concert in Phuket on January 24, according to an online petition against their deportation.
A petition calling for the band not to be deported has garnered more than 500 signatures so far.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is replacing Ukraine’s most sensible commander, Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, according to a report, after months of clashes between the two men.
Rumours circulated online that General Zaluzhnyi, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, had been removed from office or resigned.
Mr Zelenskyy’s office denied the reports.
However, the Financial Times is now reporting that the Ukrainian president is preparing to replace General Zaluzhnyi in what would be the most significant shake-up of military command since Russia’s invasion nearly two years ago.
According to the Financial Times, citing four other people close to the matter, Zelensky presented the general with a new role, but he refused.
Russia has launched more than 330 missiles and roughly 600 drones at Ukraine since the year began, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.
In an appeal to his partners, the Ukrainian president reiterated his call for a “strong air shield” against Russian attacks.
“We must ensure Ukraine’s control over its skies, which is also critical to ensuring security on the ground – from frontline positions to hospitals and schools in the rear,” he said.
“Air defense and electronic warfare are our most sensible priorities. Russian terrorism will have to be defeated, it’s something that can be achieved. “
Macron said France is seeking transparent action on imports from Ukraine as farmers protested en masse in France and across Europe.
Farmers have put obstacles in the way of a variety of long-standing grievances, adding low wages and onerous fuel taxes.
Some argue that reasonable grain imports from Ukraine to the EU have created unfair competition.
Russia’s foreign minister has said it is “absurd” to suggest Russia could invade other nations after Ukraine, according to a state media report.
The TASS news agency quoted Sergey Lavrov as saying that a roundtable was held today with the heads of diplomatic missions allied with the Kremlin.
He pointed to an earlier suggestion that Ukraine would be a “defensive bulwark” for Europe opposed to Russia, as well as suggestions made in recent weeks that the Baltic states, Sweden and Finland could be next on the list after the invasion of Ukraine.
Joe Biden also recently said that Russia could simply attack NATO if it were to claim victory in the war in Ukraine; Mr. BidenLavrov also gave the impression of referring to this.
“The absurdity of such statements is evident to anyone who understands history and understands the objectives that we have openly and without concealment announced in connection with the army’s special operation in Ukraine,” Lavrov said at the circular table.
He said the aim of the war was “against an ancient injustice” and, in turn, accused the United States of leading NATO by threatening Russia’s security.
Russia has shown “no willingness” to return the bodies of Ukrainian prisoners believed to be aboard a plane that crashed in Belgorod last week, Ukraine said.
Military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov told Suspilne TV that Kyiv had not confirmed the presence of prisoners of war aboard the Russian Il-76 plane that crashed on Jan. 24.
“Russia claims that our prisoners were there and for now we can analyze it from their words,” he said.
“At the moment there is no movement to move the bodies to that side. However, on our side, these paintings continue. “
He also warned that the aircraft was likely carrying ammunition and prisoners who were being used as “human shields. “
Russia has not announced in advance that it will use a plane to transport prisoners, Yusov said, calling cases of twists of fate “provocative. “
Ukrainian intelligence had shown in the past that a prisoner swap was ready by Jan. 24, but the investigation was still under investigation.