Latest news on Russia and the war in Ukraine

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russian missiles which crossed Moldovan airspace and narrowly skirted NATO member Romania Friday were a challenge to the military alliance.

“The enemy launched at least 70 rockets in another massive attack [on Ukraine] this morning,” Zelenskyy said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app.

“Several Russian missiles passed through the airspace of Moldova and Romania. These missiles are a challenge to NATO and collective security. This is terror that can and must be stopped,” he added.

— Karen Gilchrist

Russia launched a fresh string of attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure in the cities of Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia on Friday as the country’s officials warned that a long-awaited Russian offensive was underway.

The southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia was hit with at least 17 missiles in an hour, acting mayor Anatolii Kurtiev said.

Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Synehubov also reported about 10 explosions and said power had been cut in some areas.

It comes amid a wider assault on the country’s energy infrastructure Friday, with high-voltage facilities hit and electricity supplies shut down across various parts of the country.

Air raid sirens blared across the country during the morning rush hour and local officials urged civilians to take shelter.

Air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat told Ukrainian television that Ukrainian air defenses had shot down five of seven drones and five out of six Kaliber missiles.

Still, the air force said Russia had launched 35 S-300 missiles at the Kharkiv and Zaporizhizhia regions, which they were unable to shoot down.

— Karen Gilchrist

Zelenskyy warned Moldova of Russia’s attempts to undermine its government, he told EU leaders Thursday.

The Ukrainian president’s statement in Brussels came a day before Moldova’s Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said Friday that her government was resigning.

“I recently spoke with the President of Moldova, Mrs. Sandu. I informed her about what our intelligence has managed to intercept. A detailed Russian plan to undermine the political situation in Moldova,” Zelenskyy said.

“A Russian document that shows who, when and through what actions was going to break Moldova. To break the democratic order of this country and establish their control over it,” he continued.

“I did not hesitate for a single minute when I received this document and heard about its origin. I immediately warned about all these threats. I warned Moldova to protect it. And each of you would have done the same, each of you.”

Zelenskyy added that it was not clear whether Moscow gave an order to act according to this plan against Moldova. However, he said that his intelligence agencies recognized the plans as “exactly what they had already tried to do against Ukraine and against other states.”

— Karen Gilchrist

Moldova’s Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said Friday that her government was resigning following a volatile 18 months in power and an ongoing war at its border.

“I believe in the Moldovan people. I believe in Moldova. I believe that we will be able to make it through all the difficulties and challenges,” Gavrilita, who assumed the post in August 2021, told a news briefing.

She did not say whether the decision was in direct response to the war between neighboring Ukraine and Russia. It comes hours after Moldova’s defense ministry said a Russian missile had violated its airspace.

Moldova has faced economic upheaval and an influx of refugees since Moscow’s invasion last year. It has also suffered a string of power cuts amid Russian air strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

Still, the country’s acceptance last year as an EU membership candidate was seen as a triumph for President Maia Sandu.

— Karen Gilchrist

Germany’s finance minister warned Friday that Germany should learn from its experience with Russia amid a growing trade deficit with China.

Christian Lindner described the more-than doubling of Germany’s trade deficit with China in 2022 as a “dangerous development,” adding that the country should be cautious about allowing excessive dependences to build up.

— Karen Gilchrist

A Russian missile launched off a ship near Crimea on Friday crossed into Moldovan airspace before hitting Ukraine, skirting the northeast border of NATO state Romania by 35 kilometers, Romania’s defense ministry said.

“The Romanian Air Force’s surveillance system detected on Friday an air target, most likely a cruise missile launched from a Russian ship in the Black Sea near the Crimean Peninsula,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The closest the target trajectory got to Romania’s airspace was recorded by the radar at roughly 35 kms northeast of the border,” it added.

Ukraine’s top general said Friday morning that two Kaliber missiles launched from the Black Sea had entered Moldovan airspace and flown into Romanian airspace before entering Ukraine.

Moldova later confirmed its airspace had been violated. Russia has yet to respond to the comments.

— Karen Gilchrist

The Central Bank of Russia on Friday left its key interest rate unchanged at 7.5% per annum, citing lingering inflationary risks and stronger-than-expected economic activity trends.

The bank cut rates six times in 2022, taking the key rate from 20% following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February to 7.5% in September, holding it steady since.

The Bank said current price growth rates were increasing, but “remaining moderate in terms of sustainable components,” and that “inflation expectations of households and businesses edged down but remain elevated.”

“Economic activity trends evolve better than the Bank of Russia’s October forecast. Although households’ consumer behavior is still cautious, there appear signs of recovery in consumer activity,” the CBR said.

“Accelerating fiscal spending, deteriorating terms of foreign trade and situation in the labor market intensify pro-inflation risks.”

The Russian economy is undergoing a structural transformation as the Kremlin looks to minimize the impact of economic sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine.

Given the uncertainties surrounding the economic outlook, the CBR’s baseline scenario forecasts GDP growth of between -1% and 1% in 2023 and 0.5% to 2.5% in 2024. These projections are notably higher than consensus among global economists.

— Elliot Smith

Moldova said a Russian missile entered its airspace on Friday morning, condemning the action and urgently summoning the Russian ambassador.

“The Ministry of Defense, in cooperation with the responsible structures of the country, closely monitors the situation in the region and strongly condemns the violation of the airspace of Moldova,” the defense ministry said.

“We resolutely reject the latest unfriendly actions and statements against Moldova, which is absolutely unacceptable for our people. We call on the Russian Federation to stop military aggression against a neighboring country, leading to numerous human casualties and material damage,” it added.

Russia has not yet commented on the claims.

— Karen Gilchrist

Zelenskyy will address a summit on Friday to discuss Russia’s participation in next year’s Paris Olympics amid warnings that his country may boycott the Games.

The Ukrainian president will make a video address to more than 30 countries currently considering how to respond to the prospect of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing at the sporting event.

The International Olympic Committee has said there are no plans for a delegation from either country to be present at Paris 2024. However, it added that it will “explore as pathway” for athletes from the two nations to compete under strict conditions as neutrals.

Ukraine’s Sports Minister Vadym Guttsait, who is also president of its Olympic Committee, said the country could boycott the Games if Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to compete.

— Karen Gilchrist

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

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

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 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 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