February 3, 2023 Russia-Ukraine news

By Sana Noor Haq, Hannah Strange, Tara Subramaniam, Aditi Sangal, Leinz Vales, Adrienne Vogt and Elise Hammond, CNN

Updated 7:44 PM ET, Fri February 3, 2023

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11:16 a.m. ET, February 3, 2023

European Union says a new round of sanctions against Russia is coming soon

From CNN's Eve Brennan in London

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses a media conference after the EU-Ukraine summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 3. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that a 10th round of EU sanctions against Russia is "on its way."

“We have the aim to have it in place by the 24th of February. It has a volume of around about 10 billion euros — it’s a massive package," said von der Leyen.

"The perpetrator must pay and must be held accountable,” she added.

Separately, von der Leyen commended Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his domestic reform work in its bid for EU membership. “Your determination to forge ahead is impressive. You're taking important steps with all the reforms forward to meet the recommendations, and we should not forget you are doing this while you are fighting against an aggressor.”

“Rest assured that your progress will be reflected in our important enlargement report that is due in autumn for the member states," she added.

11:22 a.m. ET, February 3, 2023

Zelensky says EU sanctions should aim to prevent Russia from rebuilding military capability

From Kostan Nechyporenko in Kyiv and Katharina Krebs

European Union sanctions on Russia should be targeted at stopping Moscow from rebuilding its military capability, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday.

"We are very interested to ensure that Russia fails to rebuild military production. Sanctions are slowing down this process. We know precisely how many rockets were built there before the full-scale invasion and what happens now as result of sanctions from EU, US, Britain and other partners. Therefore, for us it is very important to make sure they don't have the capability to bypass sanctions as they often manage with help of some other countries," Zelensky said at a news conference in Kyiv alongside top European Union officials.

"It is imperative to stop Russian rebuilding military production," Zelensky said.

Zelensky spoke alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel, who both traveled to Kyiv for a Ukraine-EU summit.

"It is very important not to allow any dilution of the important European sanctions that have already been approved, as well as any relaxation of these sanctions against some individuals, as is speculated in some countries, and even in EU member states," Zelensky said.

11:22 a.m. ET, February 3, 2023

Ukraine will fight to hold on to its "fortress" Bakhmut, Zelensky says

From CNN's Katharina Krebs in London

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint press conference during an EU-Ukraine summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 3. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images)

Ukraine will fight to hold onto the eastern city of Bakhmut for as long as it can, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday.

"No one will surrender Bakhmut. We will fight as long as we can. We consider Bakhmut our fortress," Zelensky said at a news conference in Kyiv alongside top European Union officials following a Ukraine-EU summit.

Zelensky also urged the West to supply long-range weapons to help Kyiv stay on Bakhmut and push Russian troops out of the Donbas region.

The Ukrainian president said that Russia wants revenge for its military failures.

"Russia wants revenge. Revenge in the east where they didn't succeed. They want to take the east. Our task is not to give them this chance by strengthening our army with necessary weapons. I think we have every chance," Zelensky said at the news conference.

Ukrainian officials have said in recent weeks they believe Russia is preparing for a spring offensive.

8:45 a.m. ET, February 3, 2023

Norway will order 54 German Leopard 2 tanks to strengthen its defense capabilities

From CNN’s Arnaud Siad in Stockholm

A German Leopard 2 A7V tank stands on the barracks grounds in Pfreimd, Germany, on February 3. (Daniel Karmann/dpa/AP)

Norway has decided to order 54 German Leopard 2 tanks to strengthen its defense capabilities, the Norwegian government announced on Friday. The tanks are expected to be delivered in 2026, with an option to purchase an additional 18 units.

“New main battle tanks are of great importance to the Armed Forces, significantly strengthening the Army. In today's security situation, European defense cooperation is becoming increasingly important,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said at a joint press conference alongside some of his ministers.

“By procuring German tanks, we ensure that Norway has the same type of tanks as our Nordic neighbors and close allies. We are also forging closer security policy ties with Germany,” he added.

The tanks are also central in fulfilling Norway's NATO obligations, Norwegian Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram said. "By upgrading our defense with modern equipment, we make NATO stronger, which is paramount in the current security situation.”

The current battle tanks used by Norway were bought in 2001, according to the government.

7:43 a.m. ET, February 3, 2023

Number of Russian missile launching ships in the Black Sea has increased, Ukraine says

From CNN's Dennis Lapin and Radina Gigova

The number of Russian ships capable of launching missiles on Ukrainian territory from the Black Sea has increased, the Ukrainian military's Operational Command South said in Facebook post Friday.

"Among the 10 ships are 2 Kalibr surface carriers. The total volley of missiles can be 16," reads the post. "Against the backdrop of intensified enemy reconnaissance drones, preparations for missile strikes are evident."

"A massive missile attack with the use of aircraft is not excluded. Do not ignore air raid warning signals, be vigilant and attentive," Operational Command South warns.

CNN is unable to independently verify this assessment.

7:48 a.m. ET, February 3, 2023

EU to provide additional $27 million to support Ukraine’s de-mining of the liberated territories

From CNN's Sharon Braithwaite in London

Members of the Ukrainian National guard demining team Battalion Dnipro 1 walk in mine fields in the northern part of the Donetsk region of Ukraine, on December 12. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

The European Union will provide an additional $27 million to support Ukraine’s de-mining of the liberated territories that were temporarily occupied by Russian armed forces, EU top diplomat Josep Borrell announced Friday

“A large spread of mines and other explosive ordnances is being found in territories liberated by Ukrainian Armed Forces. We will provide up to 25 million euros to support de-mining efforts in these endangered areas. Protecting civilians and their livelihood is a priority," Borrell said on the sidelines of the EU-Ukraine summit taking place in Kyiv.

These funds are on top of the $18 million allocated in 2022 for this purpose, a spokesman of the EU Commission told CNN.

The funding will include essential equipment for Ukrainian state mine action operators and support the capacities of the Ukrainian authorities to effectively manage the national mine action sector, the diplomatic service of the EU said Friday in a press release.

7:57 a.m. ET, February 3, 2023

It's mid-afternoon in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know.

From CNN staff

Air raid sirens rang across Kyiv Friday, as European Union leaders prepared to meet in the Ukrainian capital amid President Volodymyr Zelensky's bid for accession to the bloc.

Here are the latest developments:

EU leaders in Kyiv: Top on the agenda for a summit between Zelensky and EU officials will be talks about Ukraine joining the bloc. The EU is a key ally for Kyiv in the face of Russia's invasion and it has accepted Ukraine as a candidate state, but Zelensky is unlikely to be offered the fast-track entry he is seeking amid a complicated accession process and widespread corruption in Ukraine.
Kramatorsk casualties rise: The death toll from repeated Russian missile strikes on the eastern Ukrainian city Thursday increased to four, with 18 others injured. Two S-300 missiles were fired at the city center, landing about a minute apart and less than a hundred meters from a CNN team. Two civilians were also killed in strikes elsewhere in the Donetsk region, as the battle for its control intensifies.
Kherson under attack: An onslaught of Russian shelling in the last 24 hours has killed two people and injured another nine in the liberated southern city, sparking three large fires overnight.
Berlin sanctions tanks delivery: The German government authorized manufacturers to send Leopard 1 battle tanks to Ukraine, beginning the process of dispatching offensive armored vehicles to Kyiv and bolstering its military efforts against Russia's invasion.

6:54 a.m. ET, February 3, 2023

Analysis: Fears of Russian escalation spark calls for even more Western arms for Ukraine

Analysis from CNN's Stephen Collinson

A Polish Air Force F-16 performs during an airshow in Tukums, Latvia, on July 21, 2019. (Ints Kalnins/Reuters)

Russia’s mass mobilization, looming offensive and missile-borne terror against civilians is triggering fresh calls for even greater Western lethal aid to Ukraine, days after leaders signed off on their latest package that included the first tanks.

A building public debate over whether to send F-16 fighter jets is resurfacing a dilemma underlying the entire NATO response: Is the aim of the United States and its allies simply to allow Ukraine to ensure its survival or is it to help it expel Russia from all its territory and to ensure the defeat of Russian President Vladimir Putin?

The likely escalation in the war, close to its first anniversary, comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns that Moscow is mustering its forces for a “revenge” attack against the free world. The sense that another turning point is approaching was, meanwhile, underscored Thursday by CIA Director William Burns.

“The key is going to be on the battlefield in the next six months, it seems to us,” Burns said at Georgetown University. This involves “puncturing Putin’s hubris, making clear that he’s not only not going to be able to advance further in Ukraine, but as every month goes by, he runs a greater and greater risk of losing the territory he’s illegally seized so far,” the CIA chief said.

Washington is hearing Ukraine’s calls for even more multi-billion dollar assistance. It is about to announce a new $2.2 billion haul that includes longer-range missiles for the first time, according to multiple US officials. CNN’s Kevin Liptak and Oren Liebermann reported that the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb — a guided missile with a range of 90 miles — will be included in the package. It could take weeks or months for the weapon to arrive, however, since the US will contract with American arms manufacturers to provide it.

Still, the latest US offering solidifies one of the most important and ironic consequences of the war. One of Putin’s perceived invasion goals was to forever sever the hopes of Ukraine, which was once part of the Soviet Union, of joining NATO. It may not be a member of the alliance, but Ukraine is now waging a stronger-than-expected response against Moscow using some of the West’s most advanced military kit.

Read Collinson's full analysis here.

7:06 a.m. ET, February 3, 2023

Ukrainian intelligence official says he believes Putin aims to "capture Donbas by March"

From CNN's Radina Gigova and Dennis Lapin

A Ukrainian intelligence official said he thinks fighting in eastern Ukraine will intensify over the next few months, as Russian President Vladimir Putin's goal is "to capture Donbas by March."

"We expect very active events in February-March. Putin's task is to capture Donbas by March," Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, said in remarks published Friday on its website.

CNN is not able to independently verify those claims.

Yusov went on to say that this alleged plan "will not work" and that "these dates have already been postponed many times."

"The intensity that we are seeing in Donbas now is an attempt to implement these plans. Not counting the losses in manpower and equipment. The enemy is trying to fulfil the dictator's task," Yusov added.

"So yes, there will be active events in the near future. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are not waiting around."

Andrii Chernyak, another representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, said earlier there are signs that Russia is preparing for a big offensive aimed at seizing eastern parts of the country.

"We observe that the Russian occupation forces are redeploying additional assault groups, units, weapons and military equipment to the east. According to Ukraine's military intelligence, Putin has ordered to seize the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions by March," Cherniak said in commentary published in the Kyiv Post Wednesday.

The comments came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior Ukrainian officials warned Russia is planning a major new offensive in the coming months, repeatedly asking Western allies for more weapons, tanks and fighter jets.