The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has now entered its 374th day, and here are the latest developments as of Saturday, March 4, 2023:
Fighting
According to the head of Russia’s Wagner Group, the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut has been almost completely surrounded, with only one road remaining open for Ukrainian soldiers. The commander of a Ukrainian drone unit active in Bakhmut confirmed this in a video, stating that his unit had been ordered to withdraw immediately from the city.
In response to this, the United States has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $400m. This package primarily consists of ammunition but also includes tactical bridges to move tanks and armored vehicles for the first time.
Russia has stated that it will take measures to prevent new border incursions, and President Vladimir Putin has instructed his Security Council to discuss additional “anti-terrorism measures” following what he called a “terrorist attack” in the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine.
Diplomacy
US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met in the Oval Office on Friday, declaring themselves in “lockstep” on maintaining pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, a senior European Union official has stated that Beijing giving Moscow weapons would be an “absolute red line,” and the EU would respond with sanctions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the US of hypocrisy after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russia cannot be allowed to wage war in Ukraine with impunity. In response, US Attorney General Merrick Garland made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Friday and promised to hold “Russian war criminals accountable” for their actions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that justice will be served when the Russian state and military leadership is held accountable for the war it started against his country. Finally, foreign ministers of the Quad group – the United States, Japan, India, and Australia – have denounced Russia’s threat to use nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war.
As tensions continue to escalate between Russia and Ukraine, it remains to be seen what further developments will occur in the coming days and weeks. However, it is clear that both sides are continuing to take aggressive actions as they seek to gain an advantage in this long-running conflict.