A Ukrainian soldier near the line of contact near Zaitsevo, February 19, 2022 (Photo: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)
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The situation around the demarcation line in eastern Ukraine remains difficult on Sunday, February 20. The headquarters of the JFO reports new shelling by Russian-terrorist troops; meanwhile, the Russian media publish «news” about the “sabotage” of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the death of the civilian population of the occupied territories.
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HB follows key events online.
Sunday, February 20
20:15 Evacuees to Russia residents of ORDLO spend almost two days in unheated buses – Denisova
Residents of ORDLO, who were forcibly evacuated to Russia, spend almost two days without food or sleep in unheated buses. This was stated by the Ukrainian Ombudsman Lyudmila Denisova.
18:40 Russia has deployed about 75% of its conventional troops against Ukraine — CNN
Russia has concentrated about 75% of its conventional forces near the Ukrainian borders. This is evidenced by the latest intelligence data from the United States, a US official told CNN.
According to him, this includes about 120 of the 160 battalion tactical groups of the Russian Federation, located about 60 km from the borders of Ukraine. He emphasized that despite the fact that such figures account for about 75% of Russia’s main combat units, this is less than half of the total number of Russian troops.
17:49 Reznikov: We broke the enemy scenario, no one believes the aggressor
Ukraine in the coming days will contain high pressure from the aggressor, but thanks to the measures already taken, it will hold out, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov is convinced.
17:37 Fake drone. The Armed Forces of Ukraine warned about next possible provocations in the Donbass by the occupiers
The Russian invaders are preparing another provocation with shelling of peaceful settlements and temporarily occupied territories in the Donbas. This was reported in the Operational-tactical group Vostok with reference to Ukrainian intelligence data.
17:24 Poland convenes a special meeting of the OSCE due to the escalation in the Donbass
Poland, at the request of Ukraine, initiates a special meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) due to the escalation in the Donbass. This was announced by Permanent Representative of Poland to the OSCE Adam Halachinsky.
16:49 Blinken reacted to the continuation of military exercises between Russia and Belarus
The US Secretary of State said the decision was troubling and was indicative of the Kremlin’s earlier plans to invade Ukraine.
16:40 More than two thousand inhabitants of Odessa took to the march of unity
On Sunday, February 20, in Odessa, more than two thousand citizens took to the Unity March. The participants walked through the city center in a patriotic procession, and at the end unfurled a multi-meter flag of Ukraine on the Potemkin Stairs.
16:30 India also transports the embassy from Kiev to Lviv
India is also moving the embassy from Kiev to Lviv due to the threat of war. She asks her citizens to leave Ukraine immediately.
16:14 Kuleba explained Zelensky’s words about the Budapest Memorandum
Ukraine is turning to the Budapest Memorandum because it requires specific solutions to ensure its security, said Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba.
16:01 The final decision has not been made – The Israeli Ambassador on the evacuation of his department to Lviv
Israeli Ambassador Boris Brodsky said that the Israeli embassy was ready to be evacuated to Lviv, but a final decision had not yet been made.
15:43 Kuleba called for an international investigation supposedly «shelling of Russian territory
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for an international investigation into the hit on Russian territory of shells that Russian propaganda calls Ukrainian.
The Minister stressed that Ukraine has nothing to hide, because the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not carry out any such shelling.
15:39 UK and US agree on common possible sanctions against Russia
London and Washington have agreed to impose sanctions against Russia in the event of its invasion of Ukraine, which will be more far-sighted than previously discussed. The restrictions will include a ban on Russian companies from trading in pounds sterling and dollars.
15:23 Macron held telephone conversations with Zelensky after talking with Putin
French President Emmanuel Macron held telephone conversations with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. Before that, Macron phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky on Twitter informed that during the conversation with Macron, they supported the early convening of the Trilateral Contact Group to resolve the situation in Donbas for the immediate introduction of a regime of silence in the region.
15:02 Head of the German Defense Ministry again refused to Kiev in the supply of weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
German Defense Minister Christina Lambrecht again refused to supply Ukraine with weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
She also emphasized that not all partner countries should act in the same way to strengthen Ukraine against the backdrop of a growing threat of Russian invasion.
14:19 Blinken called Russia’s statements about the “genocide of Russian speakers” in Ukraine offensive
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called Russia’s ideas about the “genocide of the Russian-speaking population” in Ukraine incorrect and offensive.
«First, the idea of — and I quote — “genocide” is completely wrong and, frankly, offensive. It devalues the word itself, to put it mildly. It just doesn’t happen,” he said.
13:11 Russia and Belarus to extend joint exercises
Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin announced that Russia and Belarus will extend the joint exercises Allied Resolve-2022 due to the escalation in the Donbass.
The exercises were supposed to end on February 20.
12:38 Residents of Donbass receive messages about the recording of their telephone conversations
Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Lyudmila Denisova said that residents of the occupied areas of Donbass are receiving messages that their conversations will be recorded, and messages on Facebook and social messengers will be recorded.
12:01 Name announced the second Ukrainian soldier who died on Saturday
During the shelling of the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by militants in the Donbass on February 19, the driver of a motorized infantry company, Denis Kononenko, was killed. The deceased was 34 years old, he had a son.
10:55 G7 countries urged the Kremlin to withdraw troops from the borders of Ukraine
The Foreign Ministers of the G7 countries issued a joint statement in which they noted that they see no signs of Russia reducing troops near the borders of Ukraine.
10:19 Russia planning the biggest war since 1945 in Europe – Johnson
According to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the available facts indicate that the implementation of Russian military plans has already begun.
08:47 Russian propaganda reporting civilian deaths in the Donbass. The Armed Forces of Ukraine warned that the militants were preparing similar provocations
terrorist organization «LPR” accused the Ukrainian army of shelling, which allegedly killed civilians.
Earlier, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny wrote that the Russian military and special services were preparing terrorist acts in ORDLO in order to use them as a pretext for invading Ukraine. He stressed that civilians could become victims of terrorist attacks.
08:40 Due to shelling the operation of the checkpoint Schastye was suspended – OOS headquarters
Due to regular shelling by the occupiers of the Shchastya checkpoint, it was decided to suspend its operation.
07:50 Russian invaders 136 times shelled Ukrainian positionstwo soldiers were killed
The militants violated the ceasefire in Donbas 136 times during Saturday, February 19. As a result of the shelling, two Ukrainian soldiers were killed. Four more were wounded, one received a combat injury.
06:02 Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged its citizens to leave Donetsk and Lugansk regions
04:52 CSTO allow the introduction «peacekeepers” to Donbass
The Secretary General of the Russian-controlled Collective Security Treaty Organization, Lieutenant General Stanislav Zas, proposed to send CSTO troops to the Donbas under the guise of «peacekeepers.” However, this requires the consent of Ukraine and the UN Security Council, Zas added.
02:22 Biden will hold a meeting of the National Security Council on the situation in Ukraine
The President of the United States regularly receives information about what is happening around Ukraine, said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.
You can read about the events of the previous days HERE And HERE.– –
