The conflict in real time. Biden's February 21 speech on the anniversary of the invasion, remote challenge with Putin

05:15 17 February

Biden will speak on the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine on February 21, the same day as Putin

Joe Biden will give a speech ahead of the first anniversary of the start of the "brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine" on February 21 at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, at 17:30 p.m. local time. This was announced by the White House. It is the same day that Vladimir Putin's speech is scheduled. In a kind of long-distance challenge, Biden will address "how the United States has mobilized the world to support the Ukrainian people as they defend their freedom and democracy, and how we will continue to stand with the Ukrainian people for as long as necessary."

04:00 17 February

Moscow: Support for attack in Crimea confirms American involvement

"The statements made by US State Department Undersecretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland regarding support for Ukraine's attacks in Crimea are clear confirmation that the United States is directly involved in the conflict. Moscow considers this position as a clear manifestation of the belligerent attitude towards it." This was stated - as reported by Tass - the spokesman of the Russian embassy in the United States, Igor Girenko. "The US administration is fueling the ambitions of the Kiev regime to attack our country. It should finally become obvious to the entire international community that the United States is the real instigator of the conflict in Ukraine." 03:58

03:50 17 February

Russian forces attack residential area in Bakhmut, 5 dead

Russian artillery and rockets hit a residential area in Bakhmut in Donetsk. This is what the attorney general's office reported. Five people died in the attack and nine others were injured. According to the Kyiv Independent, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said 6,000 civilians were still living in the town of Bakhmut and urged them to flee their homes as soon as possible. Russian troops also targeted the communities of Velyka Pysarivka, Esman, Khotin, Bilopollia, Novoslobidske, Krasnopillia, Shalyhyne, Sumy's military administration said.