Victory Chronicles-DAY 1097

Brussels adopted its 16th package of sanctions against Russia on Feb. 24 – the third-year anniversary of Moscow’s all-out war against Ukraine – that target the Kremlin’s shadow fleet of oil tankers, propaganda outlets and financial institutions. 

The new measures exert more pressure on vital sectors of the Russian economy and further weakens Moscow’s ability to wage what EU officials call an illegal war against Ukraine.

“This new round of sanctions targets not only the Russian shadow fleet but those who support the operation of unsafe oil tankers, banks circumventing our sanctions, and propaganda media outlets spreading lies,” said European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

The European Council adopted the sanctions against 48 individuals and 35 entities deemed responsible for actions that threaten Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The package establishes new criteria for imposing restrictions on entities operating vessels in Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin’s shadow fleet and those supporting Russia’s defense industrial base.

Officials added 74 vessels to the shadow fleet sanctions list, bringing the total to 153 ships that are now subject to port access bans and maritime service restrictions.

EU foreign ministers mull new military aid package for Ukraine worth up to 30 billion euros. European Union foreign affairs ministers met on Feb. 24 to discuss allocating additional military aid to Ukraine that could reach $32.3 billion (30 billion euros). Brussels has not yet agreed on the final amount, and leaders will continue discussions next week, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s European editor Rikard Jozwiak. “€20 billion [euros]is likely minimum, [the amount] can go up to €30 billion,” Jozwiak said.

Drone debris found near Kyiv, emergency services say. Ukraine’s  governmental first responder agency discovered fragments of Russian drones in the northern part of Kyiv region, including at the Kyiv Reservoir and near a city lake, officials said on Feb 24.

According to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, local residents reported suspicious objects resembling UAV parts. Divers confirmed that one discovery was debris from a downed unmanned aerial vehicle. In another location, specialists identified an explosive warhead from a “Geran-2” drone, which specialists safely transported for disposal.

Ukraine’s National Guard releases video of special operation forces assault in Kharkiv region. A Ukrainian Omega National Guard special forces unit released a video of its troops raiding Russian enemy positions in the Kharkiv region, officials said. The footage shows troops clearing enemy positions with grenades and small arms fire before taking Russian prisoners of war.

Key Takeaways:

• US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff referred to the early 2022 Istanbul protocols as offering “guideposts” for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on February 23. An agreement based on those protocols would be a capitulation document.
• Ukraine is unlikely to accept any peace agreement based on the Istanbul negotiations as such terms are effectively a full Ukrainian surrender to Russia’s long-term war goals.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to demonstrate his commitment to preserving Ukraine’s democracy and a just resolution to the war.
• Ukrainian officials continue to highlight Ukraine’s domestic defense industry and domestically produced strike capabilities.
• Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin appointed Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) CEO Kirill Dmitriev as Special Presidential Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries on February 23.
• Russian forces launched a record number of UAV strikes against Ukraine on the night of February 22 to 23, ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
• Russia appears to be relying more on Iran and North Korea to support its war in Ukraine.
• Russian forces continue to execute Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in clear violation of international law.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Toretsk and Russian forces recently advanced near Siversk, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka.
• The Russian government continues efforts to increase its defense industrial output.

Senior Lt. Vasyl Plitii, nicknamed Kasper, was killed Jan. 15, near the village of Chaikyne in Ukraine’s Kherson region. He was fatally wounded during a combat mission in the Kherson sector. He was 49.

Plitii was born in Brovary, Kyiv region. He graduated from Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture. Before joining the military, he worked as a construction foreman and builder, spending his free time with family and friends.

In May 2022, he joined the 808th Separate Dniester Brigade of Ukraine’s engineering troops. He served as commander of a floating conveyor platoon, performing engineering support tasks in some of the most intense areas of the front line.

“He was a wise commander, a reliable comrade, and a true patriot of Ukraine. While in the combat zone, he always dreamed of returning home victorious. Vasyl Hryhorovych gave the most valuable thing in the fight — his life,” his brother, Petro, wrote.

Plitii was posthumously awarded the Order for Courage.

He was buried in the Alley of Heroes at a cemetery in his hometown of Brovary.

Plitii is survived by his mother, brother, wife, daughter, son, and other relatives and friends.

Vasyl’s story is featured on the Heroes Memorial — a platform honoring the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

• Britain imposes largest Russia sanctions package since full-scale invasion
• Norway to provide 1bln euros in humanitarian support to Ukraine this year
• Economy Minister: Occupied Ukrainian territories have over $350 billion in natural resources
• Spanish PM announces new 1-billion-euro aid package for Ukraine
• Guardian: EU spends more on Russian oil and gas than financial aid to Ukraine
• Zelenskyy: I am ready to step down as president for peace or in return for NATO membership
• Sweden announces donation of air defence systems to Ukraine worth almost US$113 million
• Canada to provide Ukraine with LAV III Infantry fighting vehicles, F-16 simulators and ammunition