Putin to deliver anniversary parliamentary address on Feb. 21
Russian President Vladimir Putin is to deliver his annual address to the federal assembly on Feb. 21.
Contributor | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin is to deliver his annual address to the federal assembly on Feb. 21, the Kremlin said Friday.
The date marks exactly one year since Russia recognized the two breakaway Ukrainian states of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states — a key precursor to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.
The federal assembly is a joint meeting of Russia’s two houses of parliament.
— Karen Gilchrist
Kyiv says two Russian missiles crossed into Moldova and Romania
Ukraine said two Russian missiles crossed over into Moldova and Romania Friday during a fresh assault by Moscow.
The commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, said Kaliber missiles launched from the Black Sea entered Moldovan airspace and flew into Romanian airspace before entering Ukraine.
The Ukrainska Pravda media outlet also quoted Zaluzhnyi as saying separately that Ukraine did not shoot down the missiles so as not to endanger civilians in foreign countries, according to Reuters.
The reports could not be immediately verified, nor did Russia immediately comment.
— Karen Gilchrist
Ukraine renews calls for fighter jets and missiles following fresh attacks
Russian missile strikes across Ukraine prompted fresh calls for fighter jets and long-range weapons Friday.
Ukraine’s presidential advisor said Friday there had been “enough talk” and it was now time for Western allies to respond to Kyiv’s requests.
“Russia has been striking at Ukrainian cities all night & morning,” Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on Twitter. “Enough talk (and) political hesitation. Only fast key decisions: long-range missiles, fighter jets, operational supplies logistics for Ukraine.”
— Karen Gilchrist
Russia to cut oil output by 500,000 barrels per day
Russia announced that it would cut oil production by 500,000 barrels per day in March after the West slapped price caps on Russian oil and oil products.
Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images
Russia said Friday it will cut oil production by 500,000 barrels per day — around 5% of output — in March following Western leaders’ move to implement price caps.
“As of today, we are fully selling the entire volume of oil produced, however, as stated earlier, we will not sell oil to those who directly or indirectly adhere to the principles of the ‘price cap’,” Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said.
“In this regard, Russia will voluntarily reduce production by 500,000 barrels per day in March. This will contribute to the restoration of market relations,” Novak added.
The Group of Seven, European Union and Australia agreed to price caps on Russian oil and oil products from December.
— Karen Gilchrist
Explosions in Kyiv as Russian missiles hit Ukraine’s power grid
Explosions were heard in Kyiv Friday morning as high-voltage facilities across the country were hit by Russian missile attacks, according to reports from officials.
Ukraine’s power operator Ukrenergo said several facilities in eastern, southern and western Ukraine had been hit, disrupting power supply.
In Kharkiv, the largest city in eastern Ukraine, an infrastructure facility was hit, with power outages likely, the city’s major said.
The energy operator said Ukraine’s grid had been attacked with drones and missiles, targeting power stations and transmission facilities.
— Karen Gilchrist
