This material is developed by the New Strategy Center team of experts using open-source materials, and does not reflect an official position of the organization or the opinion of NSC affiliates, and is for informational purposes. It is possible, given the special military context, that some sources are not reliable, and our team strives to confirm the information provided from multiple sources.
Ukraine
● The city of Kramatorsk was hit by an Iskander-K tactical missile on the evening of 1st to 2nd of February. The attack destroyed one apartment building and damaged nine others, killing at least three people.
Source:https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-rocket-destroys-apartment-building-kramatorsk-two-dead-governor-2023-02-01/
Russia
● Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that the West seeks to turn Moldova into “the next Ukraine”. “Now they are sizing up Moldova for this role, primarily because they were able to place a president at the helm of the country, who is itching to join NATO, by way of quite specific methods that are far from being free or democratic in any way. She [Sandu] has Romanian citizenship, she is ready to unite with Romania and in general is ready for almost anything,” Lavrov specified.
Source:https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/externe/lavrov-o-insulta-pe-maia-sandu-si-ameninta-republica-moldova-ar-putea-deveni-urmatoarea-ucraina-2237213;
https://tass.com/politics/1570443
● Russia has moved its special rapid reaction unit to the Donetsk region to quell riots among the Russian military.
Source: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/02/2/7387600/
Belarus
● Belarus says it has completed joint air exercises with the Russian military that lasted two weeks and are “exclusively defensive in nature”. Belarus said it had completed joint air exercises with the Russian military that lasted two weeks and were “exclusively defensive in nature”. The exercises involved training for “aerial reconnaissance, deflecting air strikes, air cover of important objects and communications”, according to Pavel Muraveyko, first deputy state secretary of the Belarusian security council.
Source:https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/feb/02/russia-ukraine-war-live-kyiv-warns-of-russian-mobilisation-on-eastern-border-kramatorsk-apartment-block-attack-kills-three
Republic of Moldova
● The state of emergency in Moldova has been extended for another 60 days amid threats to national security. The government’s proposal to extend the state of emergency throughout the country from the 4th February 2023 was approved by Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) MPs at a parliamentary session on 2 February.
Source:https://www.zdg.md/stiri/stiri-sociale/parlamentul-a-decis-starea-de-urgenta-in-r-moldova-prelungita-cu-inca-60-de-zile/
Austria
● Austria is expelling four Russian diplomats for engaging in acts “incompatible” with
international agreements, the Austrian Foreign Ministry announced on the 2nd of
February. Two of the diplomats worked at the Russian Embassy in Vienna and the other
two were from the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN.
Source:https://twitter.com/MFA_Austria/status/1621054531931934720?s=20&t=9hInyKzc6EuNNkq8IaCVFw
EU
● Together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, 15 members of the European Commission arrived in Kyiv on the 2nd of February for consultations with the Ukrainian government. Joining the European Commission delegation is Josep Borell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Following the meeting, the European Commission invited Ukraine to participate in the EU Energy Platform and offered Ukraine 2 400 additional generators. Also, after the meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, Borell announced the EU’s decision to train an additional 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers and to allocate €25 million for demining.
Source: https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/rus/news/2023/02/2/7155362/
https://bykvu.com/ua/bukvy/prezydentka-ievrokomisii-ta-holova-dyplomatii-ies-prybuly-do-kyieva/
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/3664145-european-commission-provides-ukraine-with-2400-additional-generators.html
https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2023/02/2/7155376/
US
● The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on the 1st of February that the US-Russia Investment Fund (TUSRIF), in partnership with the US Congress, will transfer more than $154 million to support those most affected by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. This aid will include $135 million to the Western NIS Enterprise Fund to support economic recovery in Ukraine and Moldova and $18 million to the U.S. Russia Foundation (USRF) to support pro-democracy groups, including Russian civil society and independent media organizations.
Source: https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/feb-01-2023-partnership-usaid-us-russia-investment-fund-will-invest-135-million-finance-economic-recovery-ukraine-and-moldova
● The US and its allies are reportedly trying to find a way to supply Ukraine with F-16
aircraft, one option being to send them through European third countries that are more
open to sending planes to Ukraine. Options include the Netherlands and Denmark.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/01/us/politics/ukraine-f16-russia.html
● Ukrainian forces are unlikely to retake the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula in the
near future, four senior US Defense Department officials told lawmakers on the House
Armed Services Committee during a classified briefing, according to Politico.
Source:https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/01/ukraine-crimea-russia-pentagon-00080799
International Community
● Georgia’s president has said that in a possible peace deal for the war in Ukraine, Russia must be required to abandon its nearly 15-year occupation of his nation’s territory. Russia has its army stationed in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, occupying about a fifth of Georgian territory.
Source:https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-01/georgia-wants-russia-to-leave-its-land-in-a-ukraine-peace-deal?leadSource=uverify%20wall
Special Collection – The Middle East