March 23, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

By Kathleen Magramo, Jack Guy, Aditi Sangal, Matt Meyer, Elizabeth Wolfe and Maureen Chowdhury, CNN

Updated 12:38 a.m. ET, March 24, 2023
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3:48 p.m. ET, March 23, 2023

Slovakia hands 4 MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine

From CNN's Vasco Cotovio

A MiG-29 supersonic fighter of the Slovak army pictured on April 14, 2005, in Sliac, Slovakia.
A MiG-29 supersonic fighter of the Slovak army pictured on April 14, 2005, in Sliac, Slovakia. (Eduard Genserek/CTK/AP)

Slovakia has handed four of its Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets over to Ukraine, the country’s Defense Minister Jaro Nad said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

This comes days after the country pledged 13 Mig-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, along with Poland which pledged four.

On the question of a military advantage, Russia has been dismissive, claiming the gift of more Soviet-era MiGs to Ukraine will not alter the course of the conflict. Which might be why it is F-16s – and not MiGs – that are in fact at the top of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s wish list.

MiG-29s are analog aircraft, using older flight technology. Zelensky’s sought-after F-16s are digital. MiGs can be used for short combat missions, they can deploy weaponry and shoot down Russian aircraft with good maneuverability at short range. But F-16s can fly for longer, are more versatile, possess integrated weapons systems and have dramatically better long range and radar capability, therefore providing improved early warning.

CNN's Bianca Nobilo contributed reporting to this post.

8:54 a.m. ET, March 23, 2023

It's mid-afternoon in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has traveled to the Kherson region, where reconstruction efforts are underway after some areas were liberated from Russian control a few months ago.

Elsewhere, the death toll from a Russian drone strike on Ukraine's capital earlier this week has risen to at least nine people.

Here are the latest headlines:

  • Zelensky's trip: Ukraine's president is visiting the frontline region of Kherson, southern Ukraine — months after parts of it were freed from Russian occupation. "Electricity and water supply are being restored, a medical outpatient clinic is being rebuilt, and people are returning," Zelensky said.
  • Nine confirmed dead in Kyiv drone strike: At least nine people have now been confirmed dead as a result of a Russian drone attack on the Kyiv region on Tuesday night, Ukraine's state emergency service said in a Thursday statement. 
  • Possible Bakhmut counteroffensive: The ongoing depletion of Russian forces fighting for Bakhmut will allow Ukraine go on the counteroffensive in the eastern city "very soon," said Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's land forces. “[Russians] are losing significant forces [in Bakhmut] and are running out of energy,” he said.
  • Ukrainian prosecutor pushes for war crimes trials: Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin thanked the European Parliament for its support in assuring Russia is held accountable for crimes committed during its invasion. “We hope that the historic decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the arrest warrant for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will consolidate his status as a pariah for the civilized world," Kostin said.
  • Prince William meets Polish president: A meeting between Britain's Prince William and Polish President Andrzej Duda in Warsaw focused on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its impact on Polish society, a spokesperson for the Prince of Wales said in a statement.
  • Spanish PM to meet China's Xi: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says he will discuss Russia’s war on Ukraine with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a state visit to China next week. Sanchez said he would specifically address the issues of peace, on Kyiv’s terms, and Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
8:25 a.m. ET, March 23, 2023

If Putin were arrested abroad after ICC warrant it would mean a "declaration of war," Russian official says

From CNN's Radina Gigova in London and Nadine Schmidt in Berlin 

Dmitry Medvedev attends a military parade on Victory Day in Red Square, Moscow, Russia, on May 9.
Dmitry Medvedev attends a military parade on Victory Day in Red Square, Moscow, Russia, on May 9. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)

If Russian President Vladimir Putin gets arrested overseas following the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) warrant, that would mean "a declaration of war against Russia," Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday, according to state news agency TASS.

"Clearly, such a situation is never going to happen but still, let’s imagine that it has happened. The incumbent head of a nuclear country arrives in, say, Germany, and is arrested. What does it mean? A declaration of war against Russia," Medvedev said, responding to a media question. "In such a case, all our weapons will target the Bundestag, the [German] chancellor’s office and so on."

Responding to German Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann’s remark that Berlin would have to implement the ICC decision and arrest the Russian president if he arrived in Germany, Medvedev said: "Does he even realize that it would be a casus belli, a declaration of war? "

Medvedev also reiterated that the ICC’s decision would have detrimental impact on Moscow’s relations with the West.

"Our relations with the Western world are already poor; they are perhaps at their worst ever. Even when Churchill delivered his Iron Curtain speech, our relationship was better. And all of a sudden, they make such a move against our head of state," Medvedev said, according to TASSS.

8:06 a.m. ET, March 23, 2023

Ukraine will be on the agenda when Spanish leader visits China

From CNN's Al Goodman in Madrid

Pedro Sanchez attends the second session of the motion of censure, at the Congress of Deputies, in Madrid, Spain, on March 22.
Pedro Sanchez attends the second session of the motion of censure, at the Congress of Deputies, in Madrid, Spain, on March 22. (Eduardo Parra/Europa Press/Getty Images)

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says he will discuss Russia’s war on Ukraine with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a state visit to China next week.

Sánchez said he will address three topics with Xi:

  • Reinforce bilateral relations and celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Madrid and Beijing.
  • Explain the goals of the Spanish presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2023.
  • Discuss stability and durable peace in Ukraine.

Sanchez said he would specifically address the issues of peace, on Kyiv’s terms, and Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

“That means respecting the UN human rights charter, with regards to the territorial integrity which is being violated by Russia, in this case in Ukraine,” he told reporters as he arrived for a European Council meeting in Brussels. “And logically it will be Ukrainians themselves who establish the conditions for the beginning of that peace dialogue that will logically have to occur.”

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday said it has no information to provide regarding the matter.

The Spanish prime minister said he was thankful for President Xi’s invitation and referred to China as “a global actor of the first order,” adding it was important to hear Beijing’s view.

Beijing has attempted to position itself as a peace broker in the conflict despite its growing relationship with Russia. Xi departed Moscow on Wednesday after pledging to deepen ties with President Vladimir Putin during a three-day state visit. Their talks failed to achieve a breakthrough on Ukraine.

8:16 a.m. ET, March 23, 2023

Zelensky visits front lines in Ukrainian region of Kherson

From CNN’s Vasco Cotovio and Svitlana Vlasova

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, center right, walks along a street as he visits Kherson, Ukraine, on March 23.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, center right, walks along a street as he visits Kherson, Ukraine, on March 23. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the front line southern region of Kherson — months after parts of it were freed from Russian occupation

On Wednesday, Zelensky paid a surprise visit to wounded troops at a hospital in the eastern Donetsk region near the front lines.

“A working trip to the Kherson region. The village of Posad Pokrovske, where many houses and social infrastructure facilities were damaged as a result of Russia's full-scale aggression,” he said in a Telegram post on Thursday. “Electricity and water supply are being restored, a medical outpatient clinic is being rebuilt, and people are returning.” 

“I talked to the locals about their current issues and needs. We will restore and rebuild everything,” he added.

Russian forces destroyed much of the energy infrastructure in Kherson before they pulled out to the eastern bank of the Dnipro river. Months later, the two sides continue to exchange artillery strikes, from side to side, which have hindered repair work and power outages remain frequent. 

Zelensky visited one of the energy facilities in the region. 

“We considered the restoration of electricity supply in the de-occupied territories and the repair of equipment destroyed as a result of Russian shelling," he said. “We have to ensure full restoration and protection of our energy sector."

8:04 a.m. ET, March 23, 2023

Prince William and Polish President discuss Ukraine conflict during meeting in Warsaw

From CNN’s Max Foster in Warsaw, Poland

William, Prince of Wales, left, meets with Poland's President Andrzej Duda in Warsaw, Poland, on March 23.
William, Prince of Wales, left, meets with Poland's President Andrzej Duda in Warsaw, Poland, on March 23. (Ian Vogler/Reuters)

A meeting between Britain's Prince William and Polish President Andrzej Duda in Warsaw focused on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its impact on Polish society, a spokesperson for the Prince of Wales said in a statement.

“The Prince of Wales took the opportunity to thank the President and the Polish people who have done so much to support the people of Ukraine who’ve fled here,” the spokesperson said.

“They discussed the importance of the need for ongoing support to Ukraine and its people.”

The statement continued to say that he was “very much” looking forward to seeing President Duda and the first lady at King Charles’ coronation in May, adding the Prince of Wales also thanked him for attending the late Queen’s funeral.

Some context: Prince William made a rare, unannounced trip to Poland on Wednesday, meeting British and Polish troops stationed near the Ukrainian-Polish border and praising their “cooperation in support of the people of Ukraine and their freedom.”

The Prince of Wales first visited the 3rd Brigade Territorial Defense Force base in Rzeszów, where he met Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak and viewed a display of military equipment.

7:40 a.m. ET, March 23, 2023

No path to peace: Five key takeaways from Xi and Putin’s talks in Moscow

From CNN's Simone McCarthy

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands after signing a joint statement on economic cooperation in Moscow, Russia, on March 21.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands after signing a joint statement on economic cooperation in Moscow, Russia, on March 21. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua/Getty Images)

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have made a sweeping affirmation of their alignment across a host of issues – and shared mistrust of the United States – in a lengthy statement following talks between the two leaders in Moscow this week.

Their meeting, which took place under the shadow of Russia’s onslaught in Ukraine, left no question about Beijing’s commitment to developing its rapport with Moscow, despite Putin’s growing isolation on the global stage as its devastating war continues into its second year.

It also failed to move the needle on bringing that conflict to resolution.

Instead, Xi’s three-day visit to the Russian capital, which concluded Wednesday, was an opportunity for the two self-described “friends” to showcase their close personal rapport amid the pomp of a state visit – and lay out how they could advance a world order that counters one they see as led by Washington and its democratic allies.

The meeting culminated in more than a dozen agreements bolstering cooperation in areas from trade and technology to state propaganda, according to a Kremlin list. The leaders’ central statement focused on how the two countries would “deepen” their relationship.

Read the full story here.

6:28 a.m. ET, March 23, 2023

Ukrainian prosecutor general meets European Parliament president in Brussels

From CNN's Vasco Cotovio and Svitlana Vlasova

Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin attends a news conference at the EU Commission headquarters on February 17, in Brussels, Belgium.
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin attends a news conference at the EU Commission headquarters on February 17, in Brussels, Belgium. (Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

During a meeting in Brussels on Thursday, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin thanked European Parliament President Roberta Metsola for the institution’s support in assuring Russia is held accountable for crimes committed during its invasion. 

“We hope that the historic decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the arrest warrant for Putin will consolidate his status as a pariah for the civilized world and will be the beginning of international processes to bring the leadership of the aggressor state to individual responsibility,” Kostin added.

Reiterating the Ukrainian demand for the establishment of a special tribunal to deal with Russian aggression, he called on the EU and the European parliament to support his proposal.

“We hope that the EU and the European Parliament will support our position as the most realistic and optimal way to restore justice and prevent possible armed conflicts in the future,” he said.

4:02 a.m. ET, March 23, 2023

Ukraine will be able to go on the offensive in Bakhmut "very soon," says top commander

From CNN's Vasco Cotovio and Svitlana Vlasova

Ukrainian soldiers ride atop a tank on the front line in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine on Wednesday, March 22.
Ukrainian soldiers ride atop a tank on the front line in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine on Wednesday, March 22. (Libkos/AP)

The ongoing depletion of Russian forces fighting for Bakhmut will allow Ukraine go on the counteroffensive in the eastern city "very soon," a top Ukrainian general said in a Telegram post on Thursday.

“[Russians] are losing significant forces [in Bakhmut] and are running out of energy,” said Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's land forces.
“Very soon, we will take advantage of this opportunity, as we did in the past near Kyin Kharkiv, Balakliya and Kupyansk," he said, referring to instances where Russian troops have previously retreated in the face of Ukrainian counteroffensives.

Syrskyi said Russian forces — made up mostly of fighters from the Wagner private military company — continue to try and take Bakhmut “at any cost, despite losses in both manpower and equipment.” 

The commander, who has paid frequent visits to soldiers close to the front line in and around Bakhmut, also paid tribute to Ukrainian soldiers defending the city.

“Under continuous fire from enemy artillery and aircraft, our soldiers at the front demonstrate superhuman resilience, courage and bravery,” he said. “In particular, the units of the 93rd, 10th, 57th and 5th Brigades who are now defending our homeland in the east of the country.”

Some context: In an update Wednesday, Ukraine's military said Russia's offensive capacity is diminishing in and around Bakhmut as Moscow's forces expend large numbers of troops trying to capture the city in fierce fighting.