Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 344

Because the Russia-Ukraine struggle enters its 344th day, we check out the primary developments.

Right here is the state of affairs because it stands on Thursday, February 2, 2023:

Preventing

A minimum of 4 individuals within the Donetsk area have been killed as a number of villages got here below Russian fireplace, regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko mentioned.
Russian forces are encircling Bakhmut and are battling to take management of the freeway that connects the town to the close by city of Chasiv Yar, in line with Russian-installed officers.
The British Ministry of Defence mentioned among the struggle’s most intense shelling doubtless happened alongside the Dnieper River in southern Ukraine in latest days. The assaults included continued Russian shelling of Kherson metropolis.
Russian President Vladimir Putin informed a authorities assembly that shelling of Russian areas from Ukraine should not be permitted, in line with studies by state media shops.

The top of Russia’s SVR Overseas Intelligence Service accused NATO of “elevating the stakes” in Ukraine by supplying Kyiv with further navy help.
Germany’s defence minister confirmed off the tanks Berlin is making ready to ship to Kyiv however recognised a “bitter loss” for the under-equipped German navy.
Ukraine’s defence minister mentioned that Ukrainian lives might be saved by a complicated air-defence radar that France is supplying to Kyiv.
The US is readying greater than $2bn value of navy assist for Ukraine which is anticipated to incorporate longer-range rockets for the primary time.
The Kremlin mentioned the US will escalate the struggle in Ukraine, albeit not change its course, if it provides Ukraine with longer-range rockets.
The UK has not made a “stable choice” to not ship its fighter jets to Ukraine however doesn't assume it's the proper strategy in the mean time, Protection Secretary Ben Wallace mentioned.

The US accused Russia of violating the New START Treaty, the final main pillar of post-Chilly Conflict nuclear arms management.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned Ankara seems to be positively on Finland’s utility for NATO membership however doesn't help Sweden’s bid.
Sweden is implementing an preliminary deal agreed with Turkey on its NATO membership however compromises on freedom of expression usually are not a part of the pact, Overseas Minister Tobias Billstrom mentioned.
The US imposed sanctions on 22 people and entities in a number of nations that Washington accused of being tied to a worldwide sanctions evasion community supporting Russia’s military-industrial complicated.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen visited Kyiv for talks along with his Ukrainian counterpart.
The Worldwide Vitality Company doesn't count on main provide issues or disruptions from a European Fee proposal to set value caps on Russian oil merchandise.