Russo-Ukrainian war, day 730: Ukraine downs $350 million Russian radar plane; EU unlocks billions for Poland

Exclusives

“MP” says Moldova’s Transnistria may request annexation by Russia; Ukrainian intel deems claim “unconfirmed”. Moldova's Transnistrian politician claims the region's parliament may ask Putin to annex it. Ukraine aims to counter Russia's interference in Moldova as intelligence questions threat.

“Decolonization will not be stopped”: Ukraine expands movement against Russian cultural imperialism. Progressive decolonization discourse has ignored Russia's history of imperialism and cultural appropriation, but Ukraine is determined to challenge false narratives by rewriting its place in the world's museums.

Military

Ukraine downs another Russian A-50 radar plane. It follows another A-50 downed in January amid Russia's full-scale invasion. Ukrainian Intel: downed Russian A-50 radar plane cost $ 350 million. Ukraine shot down a new, upgraded version of the A-50 aircraft, the A-50U, according to Ukrainian intelligence. Russian overnight attack kills 4, injures 26. Russian drones and missiles hit residential buildings, warehouses, cars, garages, a boarding school in Odesa, Dnipro, Donetsk , Mykolaiv, Kherson oblasts. and a barn in Kharkiv, killing 15 cows. Ukraine downs 23 out of 31 UAV drones across 5 oblasts overnight. Russia attacked Ukraine with 31 drones, 6 missiles of different types, launched from Russian and occupied territories As of 23 Feb 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• • • Personnel: 408240 (+1000)
    • Tanks: 6526 (+3)
    • APV: 12410 (+37)
    • Artillery systems: 9916 (+49)
    • MLRS: 999 (+2)
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 682 (+2)
    • Aircraft: 339
    • Helicopters: 325
    • UAV: 7628 (+32)
    • Cruise missiles : 1903
    • Warships/boats: 25
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 12960 (+36)

Intelligence and technology

Ukrainian Intel: Russia has 300 fighter jets ready against Ukraine. The West plans to provide Ukraine with 60 F-16 fighter jets. Before the full-scale war, Kyiv had about 100 Soviet combat planes.

International

Ukraine, Denmark sign agreement on security guarantees for next 10 years. Under a new bilateral agreement announced on 23 Feb., Denmark has also committed to providing military aid, including fighter jets and naval equipment, to Ukraine through 2028. US Senate majority leader Schumer arrives in Ukraine. The Senate Majority Leader representing the Democratic Party, Chuck Schumer, arrived in Ukraine on 23 February to hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the needed weapons, Chuck Schumer said on X.

Political and legal developments

EU unlocks € 137 billion for Poland, sets aside € 1.4 billion for farmers. Polish farmers and truckers have blocked the Ukrainian border for four months, significantly affecting Ukrainian trade. However, neither the former nor current Polish government has effectively addressed the issue. Ukraine Proposes 5-Point Plan to End Poland Border Blockade. But Polish officials failed to show up for talks proposed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, even as Ukraine threatened countermeasures if the crisis continues. Poland ditches Ukraine border meeting called by Zelenskyy. Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal stood up at the border when Polish officials failed to appear for talks proposed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

New developments

Biden unveils over 500 new sanctions against Russia. With the Ukraine war approaching its second year, Biden also revealed new export restrictions on nearly 100 Russian entities supporting the invasion. EU adopts 13th package of sanctions against Russia. The EU took aim at Russian military supply chains in third countries like China and Türkiye, sanctioning 27 companies that ""directly support Russia's military and industrial complex."" New sanctions also directly target an additional 106 Russian individuals and 88 entities, bringing the total above 2000 facing penalties. Russian fuel purchased by the EU brought Putin EUR 1.1 billion in direct tax revenues last year — report. The fuel entered the EU through Turkish and Indian refineries due to a loophole in sanctions. Read our earlier review here.