Latest news on Russia and the war in Ukraine

The Kremlin stated on Monday that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi would not satisfy Russian President Vladimir Putin throughout his check out to Moscow today.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov informed press reporters that Grossi would satisfy authorities from state atomic energy company Rosatom and the foreign ministry, which Moscow anticipated “a substantive dialogue”.

The IAEA – the United Nations’ nuclear guard dog – has actually consistently revealed issues about the security of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor, which Russian forces took last March not long after getting intoUkraine The plant has actually come under duplicated shelling, with the 2 sides blaming each other.

— Reuters

116 Ukrainian servicemen present for an image after being launched in brand-new round of war detainees exchange with Russia onFeb 4, 2023.

– Ukrainian Presidency|Getty Images

Russia might call 500,000 individuals for military service in the spring and summer season of 2023 in order to support offending operations in the east and south of Ukraine, according to a spokesperson for the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.

“In January 2023, we saw that Russia intended to mobilize 300,000 to 500,000 people into the army to support offensive operations in the east and south of Ukraine in the spring and summer of 2023,” Vadym Skibitskyi, the spokesperson for the Main Intelligence Directorate stated Monday, according to news firmUkrinform

“The relevant order to mobilize 500,000 conscripts in January is in addition to the 300,000 called up in October 2022,” he stated. “This is another clear sign that the Kremlin has no intention of ending the war.”

A widely-expected and upcoming Russian offensive might be released in Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, and Zaporizhia in the south, Skibitskyi stated.

“At the exact same time, Russian soldiers will even more protect [a part of the] Kherson area and Crimea,” Skibitskyi stated, according to Ukrinform.

— Holly Ellyatt

The EU is preparing for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to participate in a top of its leaders today, according to the Financial Times, which pointed out remarks by individuals informed on the strategies.

The sources worried that security issues run the risk of thwarting the the president’s go to, nevertheless.

“Zelenskyy is to address a special session of the European parliament under the proposed plan, which is subject to security concerns. The summit is still at risk of being cancelled,” the feet reported Monday.

A representative for Zelenskyy informed NBC News that “due to security reasons we do not inform on future events with the participation of the President of Ukraine.”

Zelenskyy hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council head Charles Michel in Kyiv recently. Ukraine’s EU subscription quote was amongst the talking points.

— Holly Ellyatt

A senior Ukrainian authorities stated on Monday that no workers modifications would be revealed at the defence ministry today, regardless of stating previously that Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov would be changed.

David Arakhamia, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s parliamentary bloc, stated on Sunday that Reznikov would be moved to another ministerial task. On Monday, he explained there would not be an instant reshuffle.

“There will be no personnel changes in the defence sector this week,” he composed on the Telegram messaging app, without offering additional information.

–Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent his Turkish equivalent his acknowledgements after a lethal earthquake in Turkey and Syria early on Monday that eliminated numerous individuals.

A state of emergency situation has actually been stated in Turkey, where the death toll from the earthquake has actually increased to 284, with 2,323 individuals hurt, Vice President Fuat Oktay informed a press conference. He included that 1,710 structures had actually collapsed.

Zelenskyy stated on Twitter that Kyiv is all set “to provide the necessary assistance to overcome the consequences of the disaster.” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba echoed that deal.

–Holly Ellyatt

Britain’s Ministry of Defense has actually discussed Russian prepares to hold elections in annexed parts of Ukraine, stating these continue Moscow’s tries to “Russify” such locations.

At the start of February, Russian Federation Council chair Valentina Matvienko stated that local elections will occur in the recently annexed locations of Ukraine later on this year, onSept 10. That’s the exact same day as other local elections throughout the Russian Federation.

By preparation on holding elections in annexed locations of Ukraine on the exact same day, it “highlights the leadership’s ambition to present the areas as integral parts of the Federation,” the ministry stated on Twitter Monday.

“This follows continued efforts to ‘Russify’ the occupied areas, which include revision of the education, communication, and transport systems,” it kept in mind.

“While meaningful democratic choices are no longer available to voters at even regional level elections in Russia, leaders will likely make the self-vindicating argument that new elections further justify the occupation.”

Russia held prohibited referendums in 4 locations of Ukraine (Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk) last fall asking citizens whether they wished to sign up with Russian area. The votes, commonly viewed as rigged, saw the 4 areas vote to sign up withRussia Ukraine and its worldwide allies rejected the sham referendums, stating they would not acknowledge the votes.

–Holly Ellyatt

The initially of 4 Leopard 2 fight tanks that Canada is providing to Ukraine has actually shown up in Poland, the nation’s National Defence Minister Anita Anand stated on Twitter over night.

“The first Canadian Leopard 2 main battle tank that we’ve donated to Ukraine has now arrived in Poland. Alongside our allies, we’ll soon be training the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the use of this equipment,” Anand stated.

Canada stated late last month that it would send out 4 such tanks to Ukraine, signing up with other worldwide allies in sending out heavy tanks to the nation. It likewise stated it would purchase a U.S.-made National Advanced Surface- to-Air Missile System for Kyiv.

— Holly Ellyatt

Ukraine is set to change Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov with the chief of its military spy firm, a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday, in a reshuffle at the leading edge of Ukraine’s war project.

Reznikov would be moved to another ministerial task and changed by Kyrylo Budanov, head of the GUR military intelligence firm, stated David Arakhamia, a senior legislator and chief of Servant of the People parliamentary bloc.

“War dictates changes in personnel policy,” Arakhamia stated on the Telegram messaging app.

Reznikov’s reshuffle would be the greatest profile federal government modification in a variety of resignations and sackings following a corruption scandal late last month and Zelenskyy’s promise for Ukraine to satisfy Western requirements of tidy governance.

Arakhamia stated that Ukraine’s “force” companies — like the defence ministry — need to not be headed by political leaders throughout wartime, however individuals with a background in defence or security. He included that Reznikov would be made minister of tactical markets.

Reznikov, who had actually stated previously on Sunday that any choice on a reshuffle depended on Zelenskyy, informed the Ukrainian Fakty ICTV online media later on at night that the transfer to the brand-new ministry was news to him.

“If I suddenly received such an offer from the president of Ukraine or the prime minister, I would refuse it, because I do not have the expertise,” Reznikov was pointed out as stating.

There was no instant declaration from Zelenskiy on changing Reznikov, a previous legal representative who ended up being defence minister in November 2021, a couple of months prior to Russia released its full-blown intrusion onFeb 24,2022 Arakhamia did not state when the relocation would be formalised.

Budanov, 37, is an enigmatic intelligence personnel embellished for his function in categorized operations who quickly increased through the ranks to direct Ukraine’s Main Directorate ofIntelligence

The shakeup accompanies Ukrainian fears that Russia is preparing a significant brand-new offensive this month. Ukraine is preparing its own counter-offensive however is waiting on Western products of fight tanks and infantry battling automobiles.

— Reuters

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the location of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine continues to be a location in the war, with the nation now getting ready for a Russian offending targeted at taking the whole eastern Donbas area.

“There are already many reports that the occupiers want to do something symbolic in February. To try to avenge their last year’s defeats,” Zelenskyy stated in his nighttime address Sunday night, describing Russia’s anticipated offensive.

“We see this increased pressure in various areas of the frontline, as well as pressure in the information field,” the president included.

Donetsk has actually been the scene of extreme battling for a number of months, with Ukrainian forces fighting routine Russian army systems along with mercenaries coming from the Wagner Group personal military business. In current weeks, Russian forces have actually been seen to have actually made gains around the location of Bakhmut, recording which is a crucial go for them.

Zelenskyy said Sunday that “it is very difficult in the Donetsk region – there are fierce battles. But no matter how hard it is and no matter how much pressure there is, we have to withstand it.”

He included that every day needs to be invested strengthening “our defense at the front, to strengthen our international position, to increase pressure on Russia and to give our people new opportunities to get through this difficult time.”

— Holly Ellyatt