WAR IN UKRAINE: February 25, 2023

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Day 367

  • Relative calm prevailed across most regions of Ukraine yesterday and overnight amid fears that Russia would use the anniversary of their failed full-scale invasion to launch a major attack on Kyiv and other cities.

  • Meanwhile, anti-war demonstrations were held in many world capitals, where landmarks were lit up in the colors of the Ukrainian flag on February 24 as the world marked the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion. A minute of silence was observed outside 10 Downing Street in London, where Ukrainians elsewhere in the city demanded Russia return Crimea to Ukraine.

  • According to information obtained by DER SPIEGEL, Beijing and Moscow are said to be negotiating the purchase of 100 strike drones, which could be delivered as soon as April. According to that information, the Russian military is engaged in negotiations with Chinese drone manufacturer Xi'an Bingo Intelligent Aviation Technology over the mass production of kamikaze drones for Russia. Bingo has reportedly agreed to manufacture and test 100 ZT-180 prototype drones before delivering them to the Russian Defense Ministry by April 2023. Military experts believe the ZT-180 is capable of carrying a 35- to 50 kilogram warhead. Sources believe that the design of the unmanned aerial vehicle could be similar to that of Iran's Shaheed 136 kamikaze drone.

  • Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he plans to meet China's leader Xi Jinping to discuss Beijing's proposals on ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking on the first anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, he said the proposal signalled that China was involved in the search for peace. "I really want to believe that China will not supply weapons to Russia," he said - BBC

  • However several analysts have poured cold water on Beijing’s proposal, saying it resembles more of a position paper than a viable peace plan. It does not specifically call for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. As I told CNN’s Alisyn Camerota early Saturday, China has shown by its action little interest in pushing for peace in Ukraine. Instead it’s been strengthening Russia’s hand by helping Moscow inoculate itself against Russian sanctions and through tightened economic cooperation - including buying Russian oil.

Michael Bociurkiw