Russian invasion of Ukraine

Approximately 20,000 military personnel from ten NATO nations are currently preparing for an exercise today aimed at enhancing the alliance's readiness to counter potential Russian aggression, as reported by DPA.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to NATO nations, cautioning them against the deployment of troops to Ukraine and emphasizing the risk of a nuclear conflict, according to Reuters.

In a stern warning to French President Emmanuel Macron, allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned against any potential deployment of foreign troops into Ukraine, drawing parallels to Napoleon Bonaparte's ill-fated invasion of Russia in 1812.

He clarified that the recently held Munich Security Conference was marked by the Ukrainian withdrawal from Avdiivka and the sudden death of Alexei Navalny.

French President Emmanuel Macron triggered a shockwave in Europe by refusing to rule out the dispatch of Western ground troops to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.

In a stark revelation that sheds light on the true cost of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed today that a staggering 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have lost their lives since the conflict began. This marked the first time Ukraine has publicly acknowledged the number of military casualties since the invasion commenced.

This is the first official data in more than a year.
Zelensky said at a press conference in Kyiv that he could not disclose the number of wounded because it would "help Russian military planning", reported Reuters.

"We always stand by the Ukrainian people," President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said Saturday in a short video message marking the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky promised victory against Russia on the second anniversary of the invasion on Saturday as his troops fight on despite a lack of Western aid and recent Russian gains.

"We will win," he said at a ceremony at Kiev's Gostomel airport, which was targeted by Russia in the first days of the all-out assault in 2022.

Day 731 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours: