Russo-Ukrainian war, day 731: G7 vows continued aid on 2nd anniversary of Ukraine invasion

Exclusive

Closing loopholes: the key to crippling Russia’s oil and gas profits. Tighter enforcement and expansion of sanctions on Russian fossil fuels could cause the Kremlin's profits to plummet up to 50% by 2030, according to the IEA.

Two years of all-out war: weapons of Ukrainian victory. After two years of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine stays in the fight, showing the world its remarkable ability to overcome adversity and defend its freedom.

10 years of resistance to Russia’s war as seen by Ukrainian artists. As missiles fall, brushes fly - the creative defiance of Ukraine’s artists responding to ten years of war.

Russia’s decade of war against Ukraine exposes folly of appeasement. Years of futile negotiations over Ukraine should dispel any illusions - intelligence proves Putin spent the last decade preparing for exactly this war, with aims far beyond Ukraine.

Military

Frontline report: Destruction of scarce A-50 to offer relief from Russian bombardment. With fewer bombers dropping glide bombs, Ukrainian soldiers near Avdiivka are better positioned to hold ground Russia pays heavy toll in Avdiivka, more than USSR in 10 years in Afghanistan, says Kuleba. As Ukraine's defensive forces withdraw from Avdiivka, Foreign Minister Kuleba exposes the heavy toll exacted on Russia. “No one believed, but Ukraine believed,” Ukraine’s Com-in-Chief about anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. "Between weapons and evacuation, we chose weapons," Syrskyi says about the beginning of Russian full-scale attack. Ukrainian forces thwart Russian air attacks on second anniversary of Russian full-scale invasion. Over three Ukrainian oblasts, 12 Russian Shahed drones and two Kh-59 missiles were destroyed. As of 24 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: 409010 (+770)
    • Tanks: 6534 (+8)
    • APV: 12425 (+15)
    • Artillery systems: 9952 (+36)
    • MLRS: 999
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 684 (+2)
    • Aircraft: 340 (+1)
    • Helicopters: 325
    • UAV: 7659 (+31)
    • Cruise missiles : 1905 (+2)
    • Warships/boats: 25
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 12988 (+28)

Intelligence and Technology

Ukraine intel discloses details of A-50 downing: five more Russian aircraft were recalled. The last takeoff of A-50U occurred on February 23 at 15:50 from the Ahtubinsk airfield. UK commits $311 million to bolster Ukraine’s artillery ammunition reserves. British Defence Minister emphasized the significance of this support, stating, "They cannot win this fight without the support of the international community." British Intel: Russia’s forces in Ukraine now bigger than pre-war levels. Despite losing over 2,700 tanks and 5,000 armored vehicles in Ukraine, Russia has replaced its invasion losses through mobilization and production and "now even exceed their pre-war size," the latest UK Defense Ministry report said.

International

Putin must face trial in ICC for crimes against Ukraine, says deputy mayor of The Hague on second anniversary of Russia’s war. Russian leader Vladimir Putin must face trial in the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his crimes against Ukraine, the deputy mayor of The Hague, Mariëlle Vavie, told UkrInform during a rally in support of Ukraine on the second anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion. Billionaire Branson pledges to help rebuild Ukraine’s aerospace industry post-war. British Billionaire Branson commits to collaborate with Zelenskyy administration on eventually restoring Ukraine's aerospace manufacturing devastated by Russia's invasion. Ukraine signs security deals with Italy, Canada to boost defenses against Russia. The accords with Italy and Canada follow earlier security partnerships between Ukraine and the UK, Germany, France, and Denmark over the past month. Dignitaries converge in Kyiv on second anniversary of full-scale invasion. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the Prime Ministers of Italy, Canada, and Belgium arrived in Kyiv on February 24, 2024.

Humanitarian and Social Impact

Ukrainian crops damaged again at Polish rail crossing. The spilled cargo at a Polish rail station this week was the third recent incident involving trains carrying Ukrainian goods. Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said the incidents appeared to be "planned sabotage" against Ukrainian agriculture.

Political and Legal Developments

G7 vows to uphold sanctions, crack down on third countries, keep Russian assets frozen. The EU moves against loopholes in sanctions enabling western defense technology to enter Russia Ukraine joining NATO is a matter of when, not if, NATO chief says. Stoltenberg asserts that the Russian President's actions have ironically brought Ukraine closer to NATO than ever before. 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.

New Developments

Nighttime blaze engulfs Novolipetsk metallurgical plant in Russia. Russian official hinted at the possibility of a drone being the cause of the fire. Russian Su-34 downed in Kherson Oblast according to eyewitnesses. Unconfirmed reports hint at a Russian Su-34 crash in Genichesk district. Read our earlier daily review here.