FEB 22, 2023
The good-humored Ukrainian fighter pilot Danylo Murashko was in low spirits on Jan. 27. He hadn’t gone out on a sortie in several days, which always put him in a bad mood. Noticing Murashko’s state of mind, his commander, lieutenant
kyivindependent.com
According to his
brigade, Murashko tried to divert his plane so that it wouldn’t fall on residential buildings. The effort, however, made him fly lower and cost him precious time.
Murashko stopped the plane from killing civilians, but he could not eject safely.
"I turned (the aircraft) away," were the last words Lazarenko heard from Murashko, he said in an
interview with the Defense Ministry's news agency Army Inform.
Key developments on Feb. 22: Russian attack on Kherson Oblast kills two; Parts of Ukraine will heighten security ahead of Feb. 24; Spain will give 6 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Two days before the one-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale
kyivindependent.com
Extra safety measures will be implemented in Ukraine's southern Kherson Oblast, the region's military administration said on Feb. 22.
From Feb. 23 to 25, most public offices and businesses will work remotely, apart from critical infrastructure facilities, the administration said,
citing "possible escalation of hostilities by the enemy."
Also, the distribution of humanitarian aid and cash payments at post offices will be limited, and the police will intensify patrols in places of possible crowds gatherings, the administration added. However, the invincibility points, specially equipped places where Ukrainians can charge their phones, warm up, and access the internet and mobile network for free, will work around the clock.
Ukraine has come a long way since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. From the Russian occupation of nearly 30% of Ukraine’s territory in February to Russia’s humiliating defeats in the north and the south, from
kyivindependent.com
From the Russian occupation of nearly 30% of Ukraine’s territory in February to Russia’s humiliating defeats in the north and the south, from the West’s hesitation about providing weapons to Kyiv to pledging hundreds of modern tanks, from the entire world’s doubts about Ukraine’s very chances to survive to the global admiration of the Ukrainian people’s courage — this year has forever changed Ukraine and the world.
No matter how resistant Ukraine has been, Russia’s endless brutality has also made this year full of devastation and tragedy. The all-out war has claimed the
lives of thousands of civilians, forced
millions to flee, and led to
tens of billions of dollars in damage.
Each month presented new developments on the front line, new shifts in the diplomatic effort, new tragedies, and new victories.
