• Russia launched its "military operation" in Ukraine on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Every evening, at 19:30 pm, 20 Minutes offers you its recap on the Russian-Ukrainian diplomatic conflict that has become a war that leaves dead and wounded and thousands of refugees every day.
  • Who did what? Who said what? And who supports whom and why? You will know everything about the progress of the negotiations and the events of this crisis that is shaking Russia, Ukraine, Europe and the United States.
  • This Friday, February 24 was obviously marked by commemorations and tributes on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Did you miss the latest events about the war in Ukraine? Don't panic, 20 Minutes takes stock for you every night, at 19:30 pm. Who did what? Who said what? Where do we stand? The answer below:

News of the day

Tributes, minutes of silence, rallies... In many cities of Western countries, as well as in Ukraine, the beginning of the war was commemorated in many ways. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was illuminated Thursday evening in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. In Berlin, the carcass of a Russian tank was installed in front of the Russian embassy, the gun turned towards it. Strong symbols to remember that one year ago to the day, the Russians launched their invasion of the country.

The UN Security Council observed a minute's silence on this occasion, including the representative of Russia, in memory of all the victims of the war. It was first the head of Ukrainian diplomacy Dmytro Kuleba, at the end of his speech, who stood up asking for this minute of silence "in memory of the victims of the aggression" of Moscow, before the Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzia rose in turn for "all the victims of what has happened in Ukraine since 2014".

The phrase of the day

If the partners keep their word and meet the deadlines, an inevitable victory awaits us."

Volodymyr Zelensky is aiming for an "inevitable victory" this year against Russia. The Ukrainian president, who has become the face of Ukrainian resistance around the world, has set the goal of defeating the Russian giant "this year".

"If the partners keep their word and meet the deadlines, an inevitable victory awaits us," he said in the afternoon at a press conference on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion. "If General [and US Chief of Staff Mark] Milley wants us to repel the enemy faster, he must accelerate arms deliveries," he added, sitting in an armchair, wearing a black sweater and khaki trousers, the flag and coat of arms of Ukraine behind him.

In Moscow, the number two of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev also promised "victory", saying that Russia was ready to go to the "borders of Poland".

Today's figure

A dozen Swedish Leopard tanks were promised to Kiev. Sweden also announced the delivery of anti-aircraft systems. "The model we have is called 2A5," Defence Minister Pål Jonson said. Germany has announced the delivery of four additional Leopard 2A6 tanks, in addition to fourteen already planned, according to the Ministry of Defense. The tanks will therefore be sent as part of the German coordination group.

This Swedish promise comes a day after neighboring Finland announced the dispatch of three of its Leopard tanks. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also urged his allies on Friday to deliver the promised tanks to Kiev, after long hesitating to allow them to be sent to Ukraine.

Today's trend

In parallel with these new promises of delivery of heavy tanks to Ukraine, the first Leopard 2 from Poland arrived at their destination. "Today, Polish Leopards are already in Ukraine," Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak told a meeting of the National Security Council, without giving details on the number of tanks handed over to Kiev. Poland was the first country to offer to send these German-designed tanks to Ukraine.

Our dossier on the war in Ukraine

Warsaw has also said it is "ready" to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. "Yes, we are ready to conduct training on F-16 fighter jets in Poland," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters during his visit to Kiev. "I stress that this must be agreed within the broader coalition, but Poland is ready to carry out such training," he said.

  • War in Ukraine
  • World
  • Russia
  • Volodymyr Zelensky
  • Vladimir Poutine