Portal:Current events
Topics in the news
- Russia launches an invasion of Ukraine (video shown).
- The Winter Olympics conclude in Beijing, China.
- At least 204 people are killed due to mudslides and floods in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- In American football, the Los Angeles Rams defeat the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl.
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Russo-Ukrainian War
- 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Kyiv Offensive
- Explosions are heard around Kyiv as ballistic missiles strike the city. (Newsweek)
- The Ukrainian military shoots down a Russian plane over Kyiv. The plane crashes into a nine-story apartment complex, setting the building ablaze. (The Jerusalem Post)
- The Ukrainian military says that it has blown up a bridge to prevent Russian forces from advancing to Kyiv. (Ukrinform)
- The US Department of Defense says that Russia is losing momentum in its attack on Ukraine. (CNN)
- Ukraine says Russian troops have entered Kyiv and heavy fighting is underway. Videos on social media show tanks advancing through the city's Obolon neighbourhood. (BBC News)
- Heavy gunfire and explosions are reported in Kyiv's Podilskyi District as Russian troops advance. (The Guardian)
- Millerovo air base attack
- A Ukrainian offensive was launched against the Millerovo (air base), in Russia, which resulted in multiple Russia Air Force planes destroyed.(Rostov Gazeta)
- Battle of Starobilsk
- A column of Russian soldiers are defeated by the Ukrainian army in Starobilsk. (Gazeta.ua)
- Battle of Ivankiv
- Ukrainian airborne assault troops engage Russian soldiers at Ivankiv and Dymer. (Gazeta.ua)
- Battle of Chernihiv
- A captain and corporal from the Russian 11th Guards Air Assault Brigade surrender to the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Chernihiv. (Gazeta.ua)
- Battle of Sumy
- Russian forces reportedly retreat from Sumy. (Channel 24)
- Battle of Chernobyl
- The Ukrainian government's State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate says that higher than usual gamma radiation levels have been detected in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone after its capture by Russia. (The Telegraph)
- Battle of Antonov Airport
- The Russian Defence Ministry says Russian Airborne Forces have recaptured the strategic Hostomel Airport (Antonov Airport), to the west of Kyiv, after assaulting the airbase with 200 helicopters. (BBC News)
- Kyiv Offensive
- Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- Ukraine–NATO relations
- During a emergency NATO summit, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announces that NATO will provide weapons to Ukraine. He also announces that the NATO Response Force will be activated for the first time in history. (Reuters) (Stars and Stripes)
- Ukraine–NATO relations
- Ukrainian OTR-21 Tochka missiles strike Millerovo air base in Rostov oblast, Russia, destroying a number of Russian Air Force warplanes. Images released show the airbase on fire. (Newsweek) (RostovGazeta)
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accuses European leadership of "inaction" in face of the Russian invasion, saying "Like World War II, you said never again, but here it is again and you're not doing enough to respond". Zelenskyy calls on citizens across the European Union to protest and force their governments into more decisive action. (The Business Standard)
- A Moldovan-flagged chemical tanker is hit with a missile near the Port of Odessa, seriously injuring two crew members, according to Moldova's naval agency. It is unclear who launched the missile. (Reuters)
- Russian President Vladimir Putin urges the Armed Forces of Ukraine to "take power in your own hands" and overthrow the Ukrainian government, which he then calls a "gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis". (The Guardian)
- Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, warns both Finland and Sweden that they will face "detrimental military and political consequences" if they attempt to join NATO. (The Guardian)
- 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Arts and culture
- Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- Eurovision Song Contest 2022
- Russia is disqualified from competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 due to its invasion of Ukraine. (Euronews)
- Eurovision Song Contest 2022
Disasters and accidents
- 2022 Sumatra earthquake
- At least seven people are killed and 85 others are injured by an earthquake in Sumatra in Indonesia. The 6.2 earthquake is felt as far away as Malaysia and Singapore. (The Straits Times)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Kyrgyzstan
- The Kyrgyzstan Health Ministry announces that the country plans to purchase doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, as well as around 100,800 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine within the COVAX. (Trend)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Kyrgyzstan
International relations
- Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War
- Russia–Taiwan relations
- Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang announces that Taiwan will impose sanctions on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. (Financial Post)
- Russia–United Kingdom relations
- Russia bans all British airlines from its airspace and airports in response to the UK's ban on its flag carrier Aeroflot. (Reuters)
- Russia–European Union relations
- The European Union freezes any assets held by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the EU. (National Post)
- Russia–United States relations
- The Biden administration announces that the U.S. will join the European Union in imposing sanctions on Putin. (NBC News)
- The Council of Europe announces the suspension of Russia's membership. (The Business Standard)
- The Council of the OECD decides to formally terminate the accession process of Russia to the organisation. (OECD)
- Russia–Taiwan relations
- Foreign relations of the Federated States of Micronesia
- The Federated States of Micronesia cuts off diplomatic ties with Russia. (Barron's)
- Russia–Ukraine relations
- Russian President Vladimir Putin tells China President Xi Jinping that Russia is willing to hold talks against Ukraine. (Reuters)
- Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges Vladimir Putin to engage in talks to end the conflict. (Armenpress)
- Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov says that Russia has agreed with talks and will send a delegation to Minsk. (The Wall Street Journal)
- Ukraine presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak says that the country is ready to hold talks with Russia on neutral status and for a ceasefire. (Reuters)
- President Zelenskyy calls for Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to serve as a mediator in talks between Ukraine and Russia. (Times of Israel)
- China–Russia relations
- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges Russia to respect the "territorial sovereignty" of Ukraine and "put an end to civilian casualties by resuming negotiations." (CNN)
- Belarus–Ukraine relations
- Secretary of the Belarus Foreign Ministry Anatoly Glaz says that Belarus is ready to help bring peace to Ukraine amidst reports of possible peace talks in Minsk. (Belta)
- International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War
- Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic
Law and crime
- Protests against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Ukrainians, Norwegians, and Russians hold a joint anti-war protest calling for Putin to be tried at the International Criminal Court at The Hague. (The Barents Observer)
- Protesters in Bosnia and Herzegovina gather in Sarajevo to stand in solidarity with Ukraine. (Reuters)
- Protesters gather at the Russian consulate in Edinburgh for a second consecutive day to express outrage over the war. (AOL)
Science and technology
Sports
- Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- 2021–22 UEFA Champions League
- UEFA announces the relocation of this year's Champions League final from the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg to the Stade de France near Paris, in response to the crisis. (CNN)
- 2022 Formula One World Championship
- The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile cancels this year's edition of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi initially scheduled for September 25, stating that "it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances". (BBC Sport)
- 2021–22 UEFA Champions League
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Russo-Ukrainian War
- 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Battle of Chernobyl
- Russian troops enter the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Ukraine says that Russian forces have captured the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls the attack on Chernobyl a "declaration of war on all of Europe". (Daily Sabah) (The Independent) (Unian)
- Battle of Snake Island
- Ukraine reports that Russian Navy warships have attacked Snake Island near the Danube Delta. (IndiaTV)
- Battle of Sumy
- Russian troops enter Sumy and take control of the road leading from Kyiv to Moscow. Battles for strategic cities on the railway to Sumy are also underway. (Novoye Vremya)
- Battle of Antonov Airport
- Russian gunships bombard Hostomel Airport near Kyiv. Ukraine says that three helicopters were shot down in defence. Russian Airborne Forces seized control of the airport, but the Ukrainian Ground Forces have recaptured the airport. (The Moscow Times) (Reuters) (Ukrinform)
- Battle of Kyiv
- The Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, announces a curfew in the capital from 10 pm to 7 am. (Reuters)
- Russian President Vladimir Putin orders a military operation to "demilitarise and denazify" Ukraine. Putin also warns of "consequences you have never seen in history" for anyone who tries to interfere or "create threats for our country". (CNN) (AP)
- Ukraine confirms that Russian Ground Forces have entered Luhansk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr Oblasts and have also crossed the border from occupied Crimea. Russian troops also attack the port cities of Odessa and Mariupol in amphibious landings. (CNN) (The Business Standard)
- Russia announces that they have taken control of the North Crimean Canal in the Kherson Oblast and have restored the supply of water to Crimea. (Reuters)
- Russian ballistic and cruise missiles strike multiple Ukrainian cities and airfields, with eighteen people being killed in Odessa. A missile also strikes the Ministry of Defence intelligence headquarters in Kyiv. (CNN) (NDTV) (Reuters)
- A Ukrainian Air Force Antonov An-26 is shot down and crashes in Obukhiv, killing five crew members, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. (Interfax)
- An attack on a military unit in Podilsk kills six civilians and injures seven others. (BBC News)
- Ukraine's military reports that at least 137 of its soldiers have been killed in Eastern Ukraine, with a senior Ukrainian government official estimating that hundreds of Ukrainian troops have been killed by airstrikes. Ukraine's military also says that 50 Russian soldiers have been killed in action. (The Wall Street Journal) (CNN) (The Guardian)
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declares martial law across the country in response to the invasion. Zelenskyy also orders a general military mobilization of fit-to-serve Ukrainian citizens, with men between the ages of 18 and 60 years prohibited from leaving the country. (TASS) (CNN)
- The Russian Armed Forces says that its "lightning offensive" has crippled the Ukrainian military and suppressed its air defense systems. However, the Ukrainian Air Force says that it is repelling Russian invaders. (TASS) (BBC News)
- The Russian Defence Ministry says that it has destroyed 83 Ukrainian "above-ground military facilities", including 11 aerodromes. (Reuters)
- Ukraine says that it has shot down six Russian warplanes and two helicopters, and destroyed dozens of enemy armored vehicles, according to its Joint Centre of Control and Coordination. However, Russian military representatives deny the claims. (Mil.gov.ua) (First Post)
- Russia says that two Russian civilian ships have been hit by anti-ship missiles in the Sea of Azov, causing multiple deaths. Russia subsequently restricts access for civilian vessels on the Sea of Azov. (Ynet) (Reuters)
- A Turkish-owned vessel is bombed off the coast of Odessa, according to Turkey's Directorate General of Coastal Safety. No casualties are reported. (Daily Sabah)
- Battle of Chernobyl
- Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- Russia–NATO relations
- Romania, Poland, and the Baltic states agree to trigger article 4 of NATO's North Atlantic Treaty in response to Russian aggression. (ERR) (Digi24)
- German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock states that Germany will "launch the full package with the most massive sanctions against Russia." (EURACTIV)
- Russia–Ukraine relations
- Ukraine suspends diplomatic relations with Russia in response to the invasion. (The Times of Israel)
- Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda announces that he will sign a decree declaring a state of emergency and asks Seimas to ratify it in an extraordinary session. (ERR)
- Moldova declares a state of emergency in response to the invasion. Hundreds of Ukrainians are crossing the border, according to President Maia Sandu. (National Post)
- Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova close their airspaces to commercial aircraft. (ABC News Australia) (Reuters)
- U.S. President Joe Biden orders Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to send 7,000 troops to Germany in order to assist NATO allies. (Reuters) (Army Times)
- Russia–NATO relations
- 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Afghanistan conflict
- Eight polio vaccination workers are killed by unknown gunmen in Kunduz and Takhar, leading to the suspension of the vaccination campaign in the two provinces. The campaign was launched nationwide in November 2021. (VOA)
- Israel's role in the Syrian Civil War
- Israel fires several missiles towards Damascus, Syria, killing three Syrian soldiers. (The Washington Post) (Times of Israel)
Arts and culture
- Eurovision Song Contest 2022
- Iraq unveils three monumental structures in Hatra in an effort to restore the city after it was destroyed by the Islamic State in 2015. (France24)
Business and economy
- Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- A massive selloff occurs on the Moscow Stock Exchange, which prompts its operator to trigger circuit breakers twice in three hours. The Russian ruble's exchange rate falls to a record low of ₽89.98 per US dollar. (Rzeczpospolita) (Reuters)
- The National Bank of Ukraine pegs the official hryvnia rate to the US dollar at ₴29.25, bans foreign currency purchases on the interbank market and introduces cash withdrawal limits. The central bank also orders a suspension of all transactions with Russian accounts and introduces unlimited short-term liquidity loans for banks. (National Post) (Ekonomichna Pravda)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong begins rolling out COVID-19 vaccine passports for people over the age of 12 years. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore
- Singapore suspends a plan to ease and simplify COVID-19-related rules, including home gatherings, which was expected to begin tomorrow due to an increase in new COVID-19 cases. (Bloomberg)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
- Thailand reports a record 23,557 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2.79 million. (Bangkok Post)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
- COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
- COVID-19 vaccination in Canada
- Health Canada approves Medicago's CoVLP COVID-19 vaccine for use in adults, making it the first domestic vaccine to be approved for use in Canada. (The Vancouver Sun)
- COVID-19 vaccination in Canada
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in Maine
- Maine surpasses 2,000 deaths from COVID-19. (Portland Press Herald)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Maine
- COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
- European Union response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- The European Medicines Agency recommends the usage of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for teenagers over the age of 12 years and also approves the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 6 and 11 years. (The Journal.ie)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
International relations
- Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War
- Russia–European Union relations
- The European Union says that it will introduce the "strongest, harshest package" of sanctions on the Russian economy in response to the invasion. (AP)
- Russia–New Zealand relations
- The New Zealand government is expected to introduce a package of sanctions against Russia that includes a ban on the entry into and transit through the country of Russian government officials and other people connected to the invasion, as well as a ban on the export of goods to Russian military and security forces. (RNZ)
- Russia–South Korea relations
- South Korean president Moon Jae-in announces that the country will impose economic sanctions against Russia. (Reuters)
- Russia–United Kingdom relations
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that the United Kingdom will impose sanctions on Russian banks and oligarchs. Russian airline Aeroflot will also be banned from operating flights to the UK due to the invasion. (BBC News)
- Canada–Russia relations
- Canada terminates all export permits with Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine. (U.S. News & World Report)
- Russia–United States relations
- U.S. President Joe Biden announces sanctions against Russia and vows that additional sanctions could be coming. He also reaffirms that the U.S. will not directly intervene in Ukraine but will continue to defend NATO. (NBC News) (BuzzFeed)
- India–Russia relations
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a telephone meeting. During the meeting, Modi called for Russia and Ukraine to "end the violence". (Telangana Today)
- Latvia and the Czech Republic suspend issuing visas to Russian citizens. (RusTourismNews)
- Russia–European Union relations
- International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War
Law and crime
- Protests against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Anti-war protesters gather at Russian embassies in many countries to oppose President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. (Axios) (CBS News)
- Protesters gather at 10 Downing Street to denounce Russia's invasion of Ukraine and to call for Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the United Kingdom to support Ukraine. (The Big Issue) (The New York Times)
- Russian activist Marina Litvinovich is detained by Moscow police after calling for anti-war demonstrations across Russia. (Reuters)
- Protesters in Russia are detained as people gather in cities across the country in order to protest Putin's invasion of Ukraine. (The Moscow Times) (Newsweek)
- Murder of George Floyd
- Three former Minneapolis police officers, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas K. Lane and Tou Thao, are found guilty of violating the civil rights of George Floyd under government authority. (NBC News)
- Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov signs a decree that bans the slaughtering of cattle during funerals in the country. (AKIpress)
Sports
- Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- UEFA announces that the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final will be moved from Saint Petersburg, Russia, in response to the invasion of Ukraine. (Sky News)
- Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel says that he will not participate in the 2022 Russian Grand Prix, which is expected to be held on September 24 in Sochi. (RACER) (CTV News)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Russo-Ukrainian War
- 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- Ukraine announces the mobilization of its military reserves with a maximum service length of one year for reservists between the ages of 18 and 60 years. (The Hill)
- Ukraine urges all citizens to leave Russia immediately, following an increase in tensions in the region. (MSN)
- Ukraine closes its civilian airspace nationwide due to potential hazards. (Reuters)
- Russia closes its airspace in a region to the east of its border with Ukraine. (FlightGlobal)
- Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
Business and economy
- 2021–2022 global energy crisis
- Brent Crude oil reaches its highest price since its 2014 peak, at $99 per barrel, amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine. (BBC News)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
- COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea
- South Korea approves the use of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years. (Associated Press)
- South Korea reports a record 171,452 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2,329,182. (The Straits Times)
- COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea
- COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia, COVID-19 vaccination in Cambodia
- Cambodia begins its COVID-19 vaccination rollout for children over the age of three years, becoming the world's first country to administer vaccines for children under the age of five years. (Bangkok Post)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong reports a record 8,674 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the territory-wide total of confirmed cases to 75,248. (South China Morning Post)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
- COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, COVID-19 drug development
- The Canadian government signs an agreement with AstraZeneca to procure 100,000 doses of the Evushield COVID-19 antibody therapy for use in high-risk patients. (CTV News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
Politics and elections
- Canada convoy protest
- Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau revokes the state of emergency that was declared under the Emergencies Act on February 14. (Reuters)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- International recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic
- Syria voices support for Russia's recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic as independent states. (Reuters)
- Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- Anti-war protesters gather at the Russian Embassy in Berlin, Germany, to oppose President Vladimir Putin's decision to send soldiers to separatist regions in Ukraine. (CTV News)
- Protesters also gather at the Russian Embassy in Kyiv to protest ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. (Firstpost)
- The United States calls the Russian troop deployments in eastern Ukraine "an invasion". (CTV News)
- The Russian parliament ratifies the friendship and cooperation treaties with the DPR and LPR, following Putin's request made the previous day. (TASS)
- The foreign ministers of European Union member states agree on a package of new sanctions against Russia. (Al Jazeera English)
- Germany suspends the Nord Stream 2 project in response to Russia's recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic as independent states. (Deutsche Welle)
- International recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic
- The U.N. Security Council unanimously passes a resolution declaring that Iraq is no longer required to pay out to victims of its 1990 invasion of Kuwait. Iraq had paid out US$50 billion to 1.4 million claimants, including one claim to the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation that totaled US$14.7 billion, by the time of the resolution's passage. (Toronto Star)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announces a citywide testing campaign due to surge of the cases caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. It is planned to test each citizen three times during the campaign. (ABC News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore
- COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
Law and crime
- Aftermath of the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks
- A public inquiry into the 2020 shootings in Nova Scotia, Canada, that killed 22 people is opened. (CBC News)
- Persecution of Christians in North Korea, Religion in North Korea
- A South Korean state commission confirms that retreating North Korean soldiers murdered over 1,150 South Korean Christian civilians in the early stages of the Korean War due to a state anti-religion campaign. (The Korea Times)
Politics and elections
- 20th National Congress of the People's Party (Spain)
- The secretary general of the People's Party, Teodoro García Egea, resigns after a scandal over alleged spying on the President of the Community of Madrid Isabel Díaz Ayuso. (Swissinfo)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Russo-Ukrainian War
- 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- International recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic
- The European Union says it is prepared to issue sanctions against Russia if the country recognizes the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic, breakaway regions of Ukraine that declared independence in 2014. Ukraine considers the quasi-states terrorist organizations. (Reuters)
- Russian President Vladimir Putin signs decrees recognising the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic with immediate effect. He also asks the parliament to ratify the treaties on friendship and mutual aid with the breakaway territories. (BBC News) (Axios) (CNN)
- President Putin addresses the nation and declares that Ukraine is a country with "no tradition of independent statehood and an artificial creation of Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin", and that the country has become a "U.S. puppet regime rife with corruption". He also reiterates his claim that Ukraine joining NATO would be a security risk to Russia. (Reuters) (CNN International) (Sputnik)
- Russian Armed Forces are deployed to the separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk for a "peacekeeping mission", shortly after Russia recognized the independence of the republics. (Axios)
- A senior U.S. official says Russian troops could move into the separatist regions of Ukraine by the end of the day. (CNN)
- A large column of military vehicles, including tanks, is reported on the outskirts of Donetsk city hours after Russia formally recognised the self-proclaimed republic as an independent state. (Reuters)
- Russia says that it has killed five Ukrainian soldiers who tried to infiltrate its territory. Ukraine disputes the claim as "fake news". (Reuters)
- International recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic
- Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- The U.S. State Department evacuates its remaining diplomats in Ukraine to Poland. (The Straits Times)
- National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan states that the United States will rally the international community to hold Russia accountable should it invade Ukraine. (CBS News)
- The U.S. says it will impose sanctions on the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic in response to Putin recognizing their independence and sovereignty. (The Guardian)
- War in Donbas
- Separatist forces shell the village of Zaitseve, Donetsk Oblast, killing two Ukrainian soldiers and a civilian. (The Times of Israel)
- 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
Business and economy
- Suisse secrets
- In response to yesterday's leak of client data from Credit Suisse, Switzerland's second largest bank, the EU's European Commission is asked to "re-evaluate Switzerland as a high-risk money-laundering country" by the European People's Party, which is the group with the largest number of seats in the European Parliament. (Reuters)
Disasters and accidents
- Gbomblora explosion
- An Iranian F-5 jet crashes into a school in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, killing both pilots as well as a person on the ground. (Reuters)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
- COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong reports a record 7,533 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the territory to 60,383. (The Standard)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan
- Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh tested positive for COVID-19 while leading his country delegation in Cairo. (Associated Press)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
- South Korea surpasses 2 million COVID-19 cases. (The Korea Herald)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- COVID-19 pandemic in England
- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says that he is lifting domestic coronavirus restrictions in England, including the legal requirement for people with COVID-19 to self-isolate, from February 24. As part of the plan, free self-testing will end by April 1. (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
- COVID-19 pandemic in England
- COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, COVID-19 vaccination in South Africa
- South Africa changes their COVID-19 vaccination rules to allow mixing of vaccines between the Pfizer–BioNTech and Janssen COVID-19 vaccines for second and third doses and also reduces the interval between the second and third doses of the Pfizer vaccine in order to increase the country's vaccination rate. (CNA)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
International relations
- Israel–Morocco relations
- Morocco's trade minister, Ryad Mezzour, and Israel's economy minister, Orna Barbivai, sign a trade deal in Rabat. (National Post)
- China–United States relations
- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announces that China will sanction American defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon after the United States approved a US$100 million missile defense repair deal between the two companies and Taiwan. (Al Jazeera English)
Law and crime
- Abortion in Colombia
- The Constitutional Court decriminalizes abortion in all cases for up to six months of gestation, and removes time limits in cases of rape, fetal defects, or if the mother's life is in danger. (Reuters)
Politics and elections
- Aftermath of the 2022 Burkina Faso coup d'état
- Burkinabé President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba orders an inquiry into the deaths of two civilians during last month's coup d'état. (Barron's)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Russo-Ukrainian War
- 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- Belarus–Russia relations
- Military exercises between Belarusian and Russian forces in Belarus are extended amid tensions with Ukraine. Around 30,000 Russian troops are currently stationed in Belarus, according to NATO. (Reuters)
- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says a decision by Russia and Belarus to extend military drills is Moscow following its "playbook" for an invasion of Ukraine. (New York Post)
- France–Russia relations
- Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron announce that they will work toward a ceasefire agreement in order to avert war with Ukraine. (Firstpost)
- Russia–United States relations
- Biden has agreed "in principle" to meet with Putin in French-brokered summit talks as long as Russia does not invade Ukraine, the White House says. (CNN)
- The United States says it has intelligence indicating orders have been sent to Russian military commanders to proceed with an incursion on Ukraine. (NBC News)
- U.S. President Joe Biden holds a National Security Council meeting on the ongoing crisis. (Barron's)
- Following the meeting, Biden abruptly cancels plans to go to his home in Delaware for the Presidents' Day holiday. It is a rare occurrence for a U.S. president's travel plans to change in this manner, especially when the plans involve the president leaving Washington, D.C. (CNBC)
- Biden speaks with Macron on diplomacy with and deterrence efforts against Russia, after Macron and Putin agreed to work towards a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. (Asian News International)
- Satellite imagery shows a shift in Russia's military deployment around Ukraine, with several units or troops deployed outside of bases or training grounds and some positioned along tree lines, according to an analysis by Maxar Technologies, who released the imagery. (CNA)
- Belarus–Russia relations
- War in Donbas
- The Luhansk People's Republic says that two civilians have been killed by Ukrainian military shelling in the village of Pionerskoye, near the Russia–Ukraine border. Five buildings were also destroyed. (TASS)
- 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- Australia–China relations
- Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton reveals that a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy destroyer fired at a Royal Australian Air Force Boeing P-8 Poseidon over the exclusive economic zone of Australia with a military-grade laser weapon as the ship transited through the Arafura Sea last week. (Sky News Australia)
- Seven children are killed and five more are injured during a Nigerian Air Force airstrike in the Maradi region of Niger. The army reported that the airstrike was the result of "a mistake on the border". (Al Jazeera English)
Business and economy
- Suisse secrets
- Leaked data from Credit Suisse exposes the identities of over 30,000 of the bank's clients whose anonymous numbered Swiss bank accounts, which collectively held over $100 billion, had allowed them to keep their identities secret. Its clients included heads of state (such as king Abdullah II of Jordan), human rights abusers, drug traffickers, intelligence officials, and individuals under sanctions or involved in financial crimes such as tax evasion or corruption, among others. The secret data from Switzerland's second largest bank was leaked about 1 year ago to the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and was analyzed by the non-profit Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and 46 other news organizations, including The New York Times, Le Monde and The Guardian. (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) (Associated Press) (The Guardian) (The New York Times)
- The controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam begins producing electricity, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attending the inauguration of the dam. (Al Jazeera English)
Health and environment
- COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
- COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, COVID-19 vaccination in Italy
- The Italian Health ministry recommends that severely immunocompromised people should receive a fourth dose of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine at least 120 days after receiving their previous booster. (U.S. News & World Report)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- Queen Elizabeth II tests positive for COVID-19 with "mild cold-like symptoms". (BBC News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, COVID-19 vaccination in Italy
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
International relations
- Cross-Strait relations
- Taiwan announces that its army will conduct live military drills next month which will simulate an invasion attempt of its islets of Dongyin and Kinmen, and its coast guard will conduct similar drills near Pratas Island, amid rising tensions between Taiwan and China. (South China Morning Post)
- Nepal–United States relations, Millennium Challenge Corporation's Nepal Compact
- Hundreds of protestors gather outside the Nepalese parliament in Kathmandu in order to protest a United States grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation for infrastructure projects, stating the deal undermines Nepal's sovereignty. Several protesters are injured following clashes with police. (BBC News)
Sports
- 2022 Winter Olympics
- The closing ceremony for the Winter Olympics is held in Beijing. (NPR)
- 2022 NASCAR Cup Series
- Rookie Austin Cindric wins the 64th running of the Daytona 500, becoming the ninth driver to score his first career Cup Series victory in the event. (Fox Sports)
- Juwan Howard, head coach of the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team, strikes Joe Krabbenhoft, assistant coach of the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team, in an altercation following a 76–61 loss to the Badgers. Howard says Greg Gard, the Badgers' head coach, touched him in the handshake line, and that he was also upset that Gard had called a timeout with 20 seconds left in the game, which Gard had done to avoid a 10-second violation. (Sports Illustrated)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Russo-Ukrainian War
- 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- War in Donbas
- The Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic declare a full military mobilisation, a day after beginning to evacuate civilians to Russia. (Reuters)
- Two Ukrainian troops are killed and four others are injured by shelling from separatist forces. Separatists have opened fire on more than 30 settlements with artillery, according to the Ukrainian military. (Reuters)
- Russia launches an investigation following reports that shells landed inside Rostov Oblast, 2 km from the Russia–Ukraine border. At least one structure on a farm is reportedly destroyed. (Reuters) (TASS)
- Reactions to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says that Vladimir Putin is planning "the biggest war in Europe since 1945" and that Russia intends to launch an invasion that will encircle the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. (BBC News)
- War in Donbas
- 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis
- Somali Civil War
- 2022 Beledweyne bombing
- Fourteen people are killed by an al-Shabaab suicide bomber at a restaurant in Beledweyne, Somalia. (The Guardian)
- 2022 Beledweyne bombing
International relations
- International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War
- Russia–United States relations
- U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris warns that the United States will impose sanctions on Russia if it invades Ukraine. (NBC News)
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges sanctions on Russia before a potential invasion occurs. (CBS News)
- Russia–United States relations
Law and crime
- Canada convoy protest
- Ottawa police continue clearing protesters on Parliament Hill. Over 170 people have been arrested since Thursday as part of an effort to end the protests. (NBC News) (India Times)
- Freedom Convoy demonstrators admit that the protests are near the end. (The Washington Post)
- Jeffrey Epstein associate Jean-Luc Brunel is found dead inside his cell at La Santé Prison in Paris. Brunel faced allegations of sexual assault spanning three decades and of participating in the sex trafficking ring run by Epstein. (Sky News)
Sports
- 2022 Winter Olympics
- Slovakia at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Ice hockey at the 2022 Winter Olympics
- The Slovakia men's hockey team wins their first medal at the Winter Olympics after defeating Sweden in the men's tournament. (The Hockey News)
- Slovakia at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Ice hockey at the 2022 Winter Olympics