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As it happened

As it happened: Ukrainian and Russian forces clash near Kyiv as EU sanctions Putin, Lavrov

The Ukrainian defence ministry has told citizens to resist the invasion.
2.45pm, 25 Feb 2022
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LAST UPDATE | 25 Feb 2022

UKRAINIAN FORCES ARE reportedly fighting Russian troops near the capital on the second day of a conflict that has claimed dozens of lives, as the EU approved sanctions targeting President Vladimir Putin.

Small arms fire and explosions were heard in the city’s northern district of Obolonsky as what appeared to be an advance party of Russia’s invasion force left a trail of destruction.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has defied Western warnings to unleash a full-scale invasion on Thursday that displaced at least 100,000 people and prompted condemnation from around the world.

Meanwhile, the EU has agreed to freeze Putin’s assets in an escalation of sanctions.

25 Feb 2022 2:55PM

If you’re just catching up on what’s been happening throughout the day, here’s the latest:

  • Russian forces appear to be moving closer to the centre of Kyiv.
  • President Putin has said he is ready to send a delegation to Minsk for negotiations with Ukraine.
  • EU leaders have agreed to freeze Putin’s assets.
  • The visa requirements between Ukraine and Ireland have now been lifted.

And if you want to know more, take a look back at our earlier liveblog.

25 Feb 2022 2:58PM

AFP is reporting small arms fire and explosions were heard in Kyiv’s northern district of Obolonsky as what appeared to be an advance party of Russia’s invasion force left a trail of destruction.

The Ukrainian defence ministry has told civilians to resist.

“We urge citizens to inform us of troop movements, to make Molotov cocktails, and neutralise the enemy,” it said.

Ukraine said 137 people, including soldiers and civilians, have been killed since Russia began its air and ground assault yesterday.

25 Feb 2022 3:00PM

Despite earlier saying he was ready to negotiate with Ukraine, President Putin has in his most recent comments called on Ukraine’s army to remove leadership in Kyiv.

The Russian president also repeated unfounded comments about his troops fighting “terrorists” in Ukraine.

25 Feb 2022 3:08PM

Kyiv residents have been, since early this morning, trying to get out of the city as Russian troops advanced:

25 Feb 2022 3:09PM

Some breaking news: The International Olympic Committee has urged all international sports federations to cancel their forthcoming events in Russia.

“They should take the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian and Belarussian governments into account and give the safety and security of the athletes absolute priority,” the IOC said in a statement.

25 Feb 2022 3:17PM

Our reporter Rónán Duffy is at the Russian Embassy in Dublin where a large protest is taking place. 

25 Feb 2022 3:31PM

The head of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has said 18,000 assault rifles have been distributed to volunteers. 

25 Feb 2022 3:34PM

The focus internationally is on what’s happening around Kyiv – and what’s going to happen there over the course of this evening.

However, there is fighting in several other parts of the country:

25 Feb 2022 3:39PM

The UK’s Ministry of Defence has just issued an intelligence update on the Ukraine situation stating:

  • Russian armoured forces have opened a new route of advance towards Kyiv, having failed to capture Chernihiv.
  • The bulk of Russian forces advancing on Kyiv remain more than 50km from the centre of the city.
  • There are reports of sporadic clashes in the northern suburbs of Kyiv. 
25 Feb 2022 3:44PM

US media is now quoting officials who say Russian forces have launched an amphibious assault (from the sea) west of Mariupol, which is in the south-east of the country.

Officials have also said Russian forces have launched more than 200 missiles, with soem hitting civilian residential areas. 

25 Feb 2022 3:48PM

As international leaders continue to announce sanctions – and consider more - The Czech Republic and Poland have each now said they will close their airspace starting from midnight to flights by Russian carriers.

A similar decision was also taken by the UK government, which on Thursday banned Russian flagship carrier Aeroflot from flying over Britain. Moscow responded today by banning all UK-linked planes, including transiting flights, from Russian airspace.

Moldova has closed its airspace entirely, with all flights being directed to other airports. 

25 Feb 2022 3:57PM

In a statement this afternoon, Amnesty International said the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been “marked by indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas and strikes on protected objects such as hospitals”.

It pointed out that indiscriminate attacks violate international humanitarian law (the laws of war) and can constitute as war crimes.

“Our research verifies violations in international humanitarian law. Our Crisis Evidence Lab analysed digital evidence of three attacks carried out in Vuhledar, Kharkiv and Uman in the early hours of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.”

You’ll find more from Amnesty International here.

25 Feb 2022 4:04PM

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has called for significant strengthening of EU sanctions on Russia, including the expulsion of the Russian Ambassador to Ireland.

Speaking this afternoon, McDonald said;

It is clear that significantly strengthened sanctions on Russia are needed. The situation has now reached a point where this must include the expulsion of the Russian Ambassador to Ireland.

The sanctions announced to date against the Russian Federation and the oligarch elites close to President Putin are having no effect in deterring the invasion of Ukraine. They are simply insufficient to persuade Putin to reverse course.

25 Feb 2022 4:06PM

In the latest statement coming from the Kremlin, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that after Russian and Ukrainian officials had discussed Minsk as a possible venue for talks, Ukrainian officials said they were unwilling to travel to the Belarusian capital and would prefer to meet in Nato member Poland. 

25 Feb 2022 4:07PM

Meanwhile Russia’s membership of the Council of Europe has been suspended. 

Permanent representatives of its 47 member states “agreed to suspend the Russian Federation from its rights of representation in the Council of Europe,” invoking Article 8 of its statute, the body said in a statement.

25 Feb 2022 4:23PM

Some breaking news: The European Broadcasting Union has announced that Russia will not be allowed to participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. 

In a statement the EBU said the decision reflects concerns that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry would “bring the competition into disrepute”. 

25 Feb 2022 4:38PM

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has said more than 50,000 Ukrainian refugees have fled their country in less than 48 hours, with the majority going to Poland and Moldova.

“Heartfelt thanks to governments and people of countries keeping their borders open and welcoming refugees,” he said. 

25 Feb 2022 4:46PM

Our reporter Rónán Duffy has more from the protest outside the Russian Embassy in Dublin:

The crowd sang and chanted slogans opposed to the Russian invasion. Chants included: ‘Military help, for Ukraine’ and ‘Shame, Shame, Shame’ in the direction of the embassy. 

Several speakers used a megaphone to call for military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine from the international community.  One speaker used a slogan seeking air support for the Ukrainian military: “Shelter the skies and we will handle the rest.”

Róná Duffy / The Journal Róná Duffy / The Journal / The Journal

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You can read more about the protest here.

25 Feb 2022 4:58PM

AFP is reporting the European Central Bank has said it is eady to support price and financial stability in the eurozone if needed during the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

“We will evaluate the impact of rising energy prices which are likely in the short term to increase inflation,” ECB chief Christine Lagarde said.

25 Feb 2022 5:01PM

ITV news editor Emma Burrows has been given a document from the Russian Ministry of Health which shows it is preparing for a major medical emergency:

25 Feb 2022 5:08PM

Freelance reporter Olga Tokariuk has said for those trying to get west from Kyiv it is a “desperate effort” and those without their own car are left with few options. 

25 Feb 2022 5:15PM

For those of you who haven’t had a chance to catch up with the news today, here are some of the main points:

  • Ukrainian forces are fighting off what appears to be an advance party of Russia’s invasion force in the capital Kyiv, with small arms fire and explosions heard in the city’s northern district of Obolonsky.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the Ukrainian army to overthrow the government whose leaders he described as “terrorists” and “a gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis”.
  • The Kremlin ssaid Putin is prepared to send a delegation to Belarus for talks with Ukraine, which Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is ready to “create the conditions” for.
  • More than 50,000 people have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, mainly to Poland and Moldova.
  • The EU agreed to freeze European assets linked to Putin and Lavrov.
  • British Airways suspended flights to Moscow and re-routes planes flying over Russia. Moscow banned UK carriers a day after London banned Aeroflot from British airspace.
25 Feb 2022 5:18PM

Ukraine’s president has posted a new video from Kyiv with his top aides and the Prime Minister: 

25 Feb 2022 5:35PM

There has been heavy fighting today in Kharviv, located in the northeast of Ukraine, with multiple reports of artillery and gunfire throughout the day.

There are also reports of a very large fire on the outskirts of the city this evening

25 Feb 2022 5:40PM

Three Ireland has said that all charges for calls and texts from Ireland to Ukraine will be credited back to accounts.

In a tweet, they added that all roaming charges anywhere in Ukraine will be dropped as part of efforts to allow people to contact loved ones in Ukrainbe.

25 Feb 2022 5:46PM

Queues for petrol are being reported in Ukraine this evening, with cars stretching down the road at forecourts.

Limits on the amount of petrol or diesel that can be bought have also been reported.

25 Feb 2022 5:52PM

Flights to Dublin by Russian airline Aeroflot have been cancelled.

In a statement to AFP this evening, it said that it was suspending both flights to London and Dublin following sanctions issued by the UK against the Russian airline.

“Due to restrictions imposed by the UK authorities, Aeroflot is suspending all flights to London and Dublin until May 23, 2022,” said Aeroflot.

25 Feb 2022 5:58PM

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is currently holding a press conference following a virtual summit, where he confirmed that additional air defence systems would be sent to Ukraine, as well as additional weapons.

25 Feb 2022 6:08PM

Stoltenberg has also said that Ukrainian forces are putting up a resistance to Russian attackers moving in across the country.

“It is still a fluid situation. What we have seen is that the Ukrainian forces are fighting bravely and are actually able to inflict damage on the invading Russian forces,” Stoltenberg said after a video summit of NATO leaders, according to AFP.

25 Feb 2022 6:27PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he spoke with US President Joe Biden about military aid and sanctions this evening.

“Strengthening sanctions, concrete defence assistance and an anti-war coalition have just been discussed” with Biden, Zelensky wrote on Twitter, adding that Ukraine was “grateful” for “strong” American support.

25 Feb 2022 6:52PM

The World Health Organisation is “deeply worried” about the fate of civilians in Ukraine, the UN agency’s European head has told AFP.

“I am deeply worried about the safety, health, and well-being of civilians in Ukraine. I am also concerned that the significant progress made in strengthening the health system in Ukraine in recent years could be derailed,” said Hans Kluge, the WHO’s Europe director.

“The immediate health risks relate to casualties, as we receive reports of fighting and shelling from across the country. Hospitals will urgently need emergency supplies, including medicines, along with trauma and surgery kits,” Kluge added.

At present, the WHO is packing life-saving surgical kits in Dubai for transport into Ukraine, potentially through Poland.

25 Feb 2022 7:05PM

25 Feb 2022 7:12PM

Facebook’s parent company Meta said that Russia will be hitting its services with restrictions after the social media giant refused authorities’ order to stop fact-checkers and content warning labels on its platforms.

“Ordinary Russians are using our apps to express themselves and organise for action,” Meta’s Nick Clegg said in a statement. “We want to continue to make their voices heard.”

25 Feb 2022 7:15PM

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has branded Vladimir Putin the “Hitler of the 21st century”.

Speaking to RTÉ’s DriveTime, the Tánaiste acknowledged that sanctions such as the potential banning of Russia from the Swift payment network would have economic implications for Ireland. But he said those consequences needed to be accepted given the situation in Ukraine.

“I don’t think we’re in that space where we can be concerned about the economic impact on Ireland when a democratic country in the European Union is being invaded and the attempt is being made to overthrow a democratic government there,” he told RTÉ Radio One.

Varadkar added: “The last time I can think of that happening in Europe is in the 1930s and I think we should see this conflict in that context. We knew that Putin was a bad man, we’ve known that for a long time now, but we didn’t think that he would be the Hitler of the 21st century and I think he’s putting himself into that space.”

25 Feb 2022 7:26PM

Russia’s Ambassador to Ireland Yuriy Filatov has addressed the widespread calls for his expulsion

In an interview with RTÉ’s David McCullagh, Filatov said: “That’s a good question, you might ask that of your government, it’s up to them.”

25 Feb 2022 7:45PM

You might remember earlier today, the Helix Theatre in Dublin cancelled a performance of Swan Lake by the Royal Moscow ballet this evening “in solidarity” with Ukraine. The company, made up of different nationalities, said it is in no way funded or sponsored by the Russian government.

In a similar move, London’s Royal Opera House has announced this evening that it is cancelling a season of performances by Moscow’s famed Bolshoi Ballet.

AFP reported earlier that in Germany, acclaimed Russian conductor Valery Gergiev was told to speak out against Putin’s invasion of Ukraine or risk losing his job as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic.

25 Feb 2022 7:56PM

Kildare South TD Cathal Berry, who is a former officer in the Irish Defence Forces, has suggested Ireland send its short-range anti-air weapon systems and anti-tank missiles to Ukrainian forces.

“I know some people who need them more than we do right now,” Berry tweeted.

25 Feb 2022 8:05PM

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said he and fellow EU Foreign Ministers have decided as a bloc not to expel Russian ambassadors but “this and other possible diplomatic measures remain on the table”.

Following today’s Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov were added to the EU’s sanctions list.

In a statement this evening, Coveney said he made the case for the inclusion of SWIFT in a further package of sanctions which is expected to be agreed upon in the coming days. Around 300 Russian banks use SWIFT.

Ukraine has lobbied fiercely for a SWIFT ban on Russia, but Germany and Italy– which rely on SWIFT to pay for Russian natural gas deliveries – are hesitant.

25 Feb 2022 8:15PM

Here’s a brief rundown of today’s developments:

  • Ukrainian forces are fighting off what appears to be an advance party of Russia’s invasion force in the capital Kyiv, with small arms fire and explosions heard in the city’s northern district of Obolonsky.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a self-shot video from central Kyiv, vowing alongside key aides to stay and defend the capital against the Russian invasion.
  • Zelensky says at least 137 Ukrainian “heroes” were killed after the first day of fighting and 317 wounded.
  • Putin called on the Ukrainian army to overthrow the government whose leaders he describes as “terrorists” and “a gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis”.
  • Zelensky said he spoke with US President Joe Biden about “strengthening sanctions, concrete defence assistance and an anti-war coalition.”
  • More than 50,000 people have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, mainly to Poland and Moldova
  • The EU added Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to its sanctions list. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also says he is planning “imminent” sanctions against the two men.
  • The Kremlin says Putin is prepared to send a delegation to Belarus for talks with Ukraine, which Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is ready to “create the conditions” for.
  • Russia’s Aeroflot announces it is suspending flights to London and Dublin after the United Kingdom sanctioned it.
  • The Council of Europe says it is suspending all representatives of Russia from participation in the pan-European rights body over the attack against Ukraine.
25 Feb 2022 8:18PM

The United States has dismissed Russia’s offer of talks with Ukraine as not serious and called on Moscow to show its commitment to diplomacy by withdrawing troops from the country.

After invading Ukraine, “now we see Moscow suggesting diplomacy take place at the barrel of a gun. This is not real diplomacy,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

25 Feb 2022 8:45PM

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki says the US will follow the EU and UK and place sanctions on Vladimir Putin and Russia’s Foreign Secretary Sergei Lavrov.

Psaki is currently hosting a press briefing:

The White House / YouTube

25 Feb 2022 8:50PM

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he has extended a flight ban meaning “no Russian private jet can fly in UK airspace, or touchdown – effective immediately”.

25 Feb 2022 9:11PM

White House press secretary Jen Psaki says that a travel ban would be part of the US sanctions. She added that Russia “going after” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would be a “horrific act” as Putin called for him to be overthrown.

25 Feb 2022 9:13PM

moscow-russia-25th-feb-2022-the-spokeswoman-of-russias-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-maria-zakharova-gives-a-press-briefing-on-foreign-policy-issues-credit-russian-ministry-of-foreign-affairst Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Western sanctions against Putin and Lavrov are a sign of the West’s “impotency”, a Russian foreign ministry official has said.

“Sanctions against the president and the foreign minister of a country are an example and a demonstration of the complete impotence of the foreign policy” of the West, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Russian television.

She added that Moscow’s relations with the West were close to a “point of no return”: “We have reached the line after which the point of no return begins.”

25 Feb 2022 9:30PM

UK Prime Minister has addressed a message directly to the people of Russia, saying in Russian: “I do not believe this war is in your name.”

Johnson also spoke Ukrainian after urging an end to the conflict “because the world needs a free and sovereign Ukraine”.

He said: “The scenes unfolding in the streets and fields of Ukraine are nothing short of a tragedy.

“Brave young soldiers and innocent civilians are being cut down, tanks are rumbling through towns and cities, missiles raining indiscriminately from the skies. It’s a generation or more since we witnessed such bloodshed in Europe. We hoped we would never have to see such sights again.”

25 Feb 2022 9:45PM

russian-invasion-of-ukraine PA PA

Hundreds of people gathered in Belfast this evening to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian nationals were among the crowd that gathered outside City Hall for the demonstration and vigil.

Several Ukrainians who live in Northern Ireland addressed the event. One told the crowd: “This meeting was created just to join everybody and show that people don’t war, Ukrainians don’t want war.”

The protest also heard calls from Amnesty International for the Stormont authorities to “step up” plans to welcome refugees fleeing the conflict.

Similar protests took place in Dublin and other cities around the world:

russian-invasion-of-ukraine People take part in a demonstration on Whitehall, near to the entrance to Downing Street, London. PA PA

russian-invasion-of-ukraine Hundreds gathered to demonstrate outside the Russian Consulate General in Edinburgh. PA PA

bologna-italy-february-25-2022-peaceful-torchlight-procession-in-favour-of-peace-in-ukraine-in-piazza-maggiore-bologna-italy-credit-massimiliano-donatialamy-live-news Peaceful torchlight procession in favour of peace in Ukraine took place in Piazza Maggiore, Bologna. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

istanbul-turkey-25th-feb-2022-a-protester-holds-a-placard-with-a-portrait-of-vladimir-putin-during-the-demonstration-ukrainian-citizens-living-in-istanbul-gathered-in-front-of-the-russian-consulat Ukrainian citizens living in Istanbul gathered in front of the Russian Consulate General. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

sydney-australia-25th-february-2022-dont-wait-for-the-big-war-act-now-to-stop-it-protest-in-martin-place-credit-richard-milnesalamy-live-news Don’t wait for the big war, act now to stop it!” – protest in Martin Place, Sydney. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

25 Feb 2022 9:53PM

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Canada has announced that it will move to freeze the assets of Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, following the European Union, UK and US in directly sanctioning top Russian leadership.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he supports barring Russia from the SWIFT banking system, and that discussions are ongoing with European allies “who are reflecting on this very carefully”. 

25 Feb 2022 10:04PM

The UN Security Council is set to vote tonight on a resolution that would condemn Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine “in the strongest terms”, and demand an immediate halt to Russia’s invasion and the withdrawal of all Russian troops.

The vote is not expected to pass given Russia has a veto but all eyes are on how China will vote, or whether it will abstain.

Sky News reporter Mark Stone says sources on the council are confident China will abstain which would be a blow to Russia.

25 Feb 2022 10:06PM

We’re going to wrap up this liveblog for now. Thanks for staying with us throughout the evening. Our coverage will continue on the site.

With reporting from PA and AFP.

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