Because the Russia-Ukraine struggle enters its 353rd day, we check out the primary developments.
Right here is the scenario because it stands on Saturday, February 11, 2023:
Preventing
- Ukrainian officers mentioned Moscow had began a brand new offensive forward of the February 24 anniversary of its invasion. Britain mentioned Russian forces have been making positive factors north of town of Bakhmut which they’re attempting to encompass, however are having a tougher time attacking Vuhledar additional south, the place they deserted greater than 30 armored automobiles in a failed assault.
- Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, mentioned Russian forces should seize Bakhmut to proceed with their marketing campaign however confronted fierce resistance from Ukrainian defenders.
- Reuters couldn’t confirm the battlefield accounts.
diplomacy
- Moody’s downgraded Ukraine’s sovereign debt to “Ca” from “Caa3”, which means it’s “extremely speculative and … probably in, or very close to, default, with some prospect of restoration of principal and curiosity”. The agency mentioned the struggle would probably create long-lasting challenges for the nation.
- US President Joe Biden will journey to Poland from February 20 to 22 to fulfill allies and talk about Ukraine, the White Home mentioned.
- French President Emmanuel Macron didn’t rule out sending fighter jets to Ukraine in some unspecified time in the future however mentioned Kyiv wanted extra rapid army firepower.
- Thirty-five nations backed calls by Ukraine for Russian and Belarusian athletes to be barred from collaborating in the summertime Olympics subsequent yr. The Worldwide Olympic Committee desires to permit them to compete below a impartial flag.
Others
- Russia put in style singer Zemfira on a listing of overseas brokers on grounds that she supported Ukraine and criticized Russia’s “particular army operation” there.
- Russia mentioned it might reduce oil manufacturing by about 5 p.c in March, a choice that the White Home mentioned confirmed Russian President Vladimir Putin was keen to weaponise power.
- Putin mentioned Russia’s financial system had overcome the worst results of sanctions and was anticipated to indicate modest development this yr.
