February 10, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

By Kathleen Magramo, Sana Noor Haq, Ed Upright, Aditi Sangal, Leinz Vales, Adrienne Vogt and Matt Meyer, CNN

Updated 0059 GMT (0859 HKT) February 11, 2023
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9:34 a.m. ET, February 10, 2023

Switzerland rejects Spanish request to re-export Swiss-made air defense weapon to Ukraine

From CNN’s Xiaofei Xu in Paris

The Swiss government has rejected a request from Madrid to re-export two anti-air guns made in Switzerland to Ukraine, citing a violation of the country’s war material law, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) told CNN Friday.

“It’s for this same reason that we turned down similar request from Denmark and Germany last year,” SECO spokesperson Fabian Maienfisch told CNN. 

Switzerland has strict federal law regulating re-exportation of Swiss-made weapons and other war materials. 

The Swiss parliament is examining a bill submitted on February 3 with the aim to loosen this restriction.

Remember: At the beginning of the war, Switzerland broke with its tradition of neutrality to adopt European Union sanctions on Russia, citing an "extraordinary situation."

10:57 a.m. ET, February 10, 2023

Russia is escalating its attacks, but a dramatic new offensive is yet to materialize

From CNN's Mick Krever

Local residents clear the rubble of a private house following a Russian rocket attack in Komyshevakha in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on February 10.
Local residents clear the rubble of a private house following a Russian rocket attack in Komyshevakha in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on February 10. (Andriy Andriyenko/AP)

Russia on Friday launched nationwide missile strikes, as it has done with grim regularity for months. It fired a notably high number of S-300 missiles at Zaporizhzhia city and the Kharkiv region – up to 35, according to Ukrainian officials.

It came a day after the leader of Ukraine’s Luhansk region, Serhiy Hayday, said that Russia was escalating its attacks in that part of the country, something he believed was “part of the full-scale offensive that Russia has been planning.”

While the balance of momentum now certainly seems to lie with Russian forces, a dramatic and triumphant spring offensive from Russia still appears to be absent.

Ukrainian warnings: As 2022 ended, it seemed as though Ukraine had the advantage in beating back Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Months after regaining large swaths of territory in the northeastern Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, Ukraine’s military retook all land west of the Dnipro River, including the regional capital of Kherson.

But the new year brought a raft of warnings from Ukrainian officials about a coming Russian offensive, likely around the February 24 anniversary of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, said that Russia was planning for “maximum escalation” and that the coming months would be “defining.” Andriy Yusov, a representative of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, said that February and March would be “very active.” President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia “wants revenge.”

Those warnings came in conjunction with dire requests for more advanced western weapons – something that was partially fulfilled when German, the US., and others agreed to send Ukraine main battle tanks at the end of January.

The Russian position: Though it is incredibly difficult to assess, there has been some indication from both Ukrainian and Russian sources that Russia has been able to build up its mobilized reserves in eastern Ukraine.

“Our units, which were mostly formed from mobilized men, gained experience, which made it possible to increase the stability of the units on the front line,” a pro-Kremlin Russian military blogger, Evgeny Poddubny, wrote on Telegram Thursday. He conceded, though, that Ukraine has also been able to replenish its own “depleted units.”

Hayday, the Ukrainian Luhansk leader, said at the end of January that there was an “incredible number” of Russian troops in eastern Ukraine.

"There are huge numbers of them [Russian troops in the Svatove-Kreminna area]. And a very large number of mobilized. And they are constantly being thrown into the offensive — almost all the time.”

Russian attacks: So can those numbers be seen on the battlefield? Perhaps, though not yet in a dramatic way.

Hayday said on Thursday that Russia is on the offensive near the Svatove-Kreminna frontline, though so far without “much success.”

“We can conclude that a certain escalation has already begun,” he said. “And we can say de facto that this is part of the full-scale offensive that Russia has been planning.”

8:00 a.m. ET, February 10, 2023

Russia to reduce oil production by 500,000 barrels per day next month, following Western price caps

From CNN's Radina Gigova 

The Russian oil producer Gazprom Neft Moscow refinery on the southeastern outskirts of the capital in April 2022.
The Russian oil producer Gazprom Neft Moscow refinery on the southeastern outskirts of the capital in April 2022. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images)

Russia plans to voluntarily reduce oil production by 500,000 barrels per day – around 5% of output – in March, following a string of price limits on products such as gasoline and fuel oil imposed by the United States and its allies amid the war in Ukraine.

"Russia believes that the price ceiling mechanism for the sale of Russian oil and oil products is an interference in market relations and a continuation of the destructive energy policy of the countries of the collective West," Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said in a statement published on the government's website Friday.

"To date, we have been able to sell the entire volume of oil produced; however, as stated earlier, we will not sell oil to those who directly or indirectly adhere to the principles of the price ceiling," he said. "In relation to this, Russia will voluntarily reduce production by 500,000 barrels per day in March. This will contribute to the restoration of market relations."

Novak said the price ceiling mechanism, in the future, "may not only lead to a decrease in investment in the oil sector and, accordingly, an oil shortage, but also be extended to other sectors of the world economy with similar consequences."  

"When making further decisions, we will act on the basis of the current market situation," he added. 

Novak's statement comes after the introduction of additional sanctions from the West over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Oil production is a vital source of revenue for the Russian government.

11:44 a.m. ET, February 10, 2023

Ukraine claims to have shot down 61 of 71 Russian cruise missiles

From CNN's Maria Kostenko in Kyiv

Ukraine’s Air Force Command said it has shot down 61 out of 71 missiles launched by Russia on Friday, as air raid sirens blared across the country earlier amid a series of attacks.

“The enemy attacked from the air using eight Tu-95MS strategic bombers that launched Kh-101 and Kh-555 missiles from Volgodonsk and the Caspian Sea area,” the Air Force said in a statement. “The enemy also attacked with Kalibr-type sea-based cruise missiles from ships in the Black Sea.”

Ukraine’s military says that in addition, Russian launched around 35 S-300 missiles at the southern city of Zaporizhzhia and the northeastern Kharkiv region – a missile designed to be surface-to-air, but used by Russia to strike the ground.

The military also claimed to have down five Iranian-made Shahed drones overnight.

7:51 a.m. ET, February 10, 2023

In photos: Zelensky meets European leaders on diplomatic mission, as war rages on in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit to western Europe this week, forming an unannounced diplomatic tour aimed at persuading allies to send more modern weapons and military support to Kyiv.

The Ukrainian leader has made strides to keep the spotlight on Russia's war on his country as we approach the one-year anniversary of the invasion later this month. Meanwhile, officials in Kyiv have warned of an expected Russian offensive this spring.

Zelensky returned to Kyiv on Friday and posted a video to his Telegram channel from his office in the Ukrainian capital.

Referring to Friday’s nationwide missiles attacks, he said: “This is terror that can and must be stopped. Stopped by the world.”

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after his arrival in England, on February 8.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after his arrival in England, on February 8. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters)

Zelensky addresses British MPs in Westminster Hall, inside London's Palace of Westminster, on February 8.
Zelensky addresses British MPs in Westminster Hall, inside London's Palace of Westminster, on February 8. (Stefan Rousseau/AFP/Getty Images)

King Charles III holds an audience with Zelensky at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
King Charles III holds an audience with Zelensky at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. (Aaron Chown/Getty Images)

Zelensky and Sunak arrive to meet Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility in Lulworth, England, on February 8.
Zelensky and Sunak arrive to meet Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility in Lulworth, England, on February 8. (Andrew Matthews/AFP/Getty Images)

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Zelensky for a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on February 8.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Zelensky for a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on February 8. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters)

Macron, Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrive to give a joint statement at the Elysee Palace on February 8.
Macron, Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrive to give a joint statement at the Elysee Palace on February 8. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters)

Macron and Zelensky walk on the tarmac of Velizy-Villacoublay airbase as they prepare to board a flight together, en route to Brussels for a summit at the EU parliament, on February 9.
Macron and Zelensky walk on the tarmac of Velizy-Villacoublay airbase as they prepare to board a flight together, en route to Brussels for a summit at the EU parliament, on February 9. (Mohammed Badra/AFP/Getty Images)

Zelensky delivers a speech at the start of a summit at the EU parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9.
Zelensky delivers a speech at the start of a summit at the EU parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Zelensky and European Council President Charles Michel shake hands at the end of a news conference during the European leaders summit in Brussels on Thursday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Zelensky and European Council President Charles Michel shake hands at the end of a news conference during the European leaders summit in Brussels on Thursday. (Yves Herman/Reuters)

Zelensky and King Philippe of Belgium pictured during a diplomatic meeting at the Royal Palace in Brussels on February 9.
Zelensky and King Philippe of Belgium pictured during a diplomatic meeting at the Royal Palace in Brussels on February 9. (Eric Lamland/Reuters)

Zelensky attends a meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Rzeszow, Poland, on February 10.
Zelensky attends a meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Rzeszow, Poland, on February 10. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters)

11:51 a.m. ET, February 10, 2023

Moldova summons Russian ambassador over alleged missile over its territory

From CNN's Radina Gigova

Russian ambassador to Moldova Oleg Vasnetsov speaks to media in Chisinau, Moldova, in November 2022.
Russian ambassador to Moldova Oleg Vasnetsov speaks to media in Chisinau, Moldova, in November 2022. (Dumitru Doru/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/File)

Moldova's Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu has instructed authorities to urgently summon the Russian ambassador, after the Ukrainian and Moldovan governments alleged a Russian cruise missile crossed the territory of Moldova.

The move has been made to "point out to the Russian side the unacceptable violation of our airspace by a Russian missile over the sovereign territory of the Republic of Moldova," the ministry tweeted Friday.

"Moldovan diplomacy notes that Russia continues the brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, and missile attacks on neighboring country is directly and negatively affecting the citizens of Moldova," the ministry said.

"We call on Russia to stop its military aggression against Ukraine that causes loss of human life and material destruction," it added.

Russian missiles have crossed over Moldova, which borders Ukraine, several times over the course of the nearly year-long war.

7:24 a.m. ET, February 10, 2023

Zelensky discusses need for "military support" with Polish counterpart

From CNN's Antonia Mortensen and Sana Noor Haq

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Poland to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda on February 10.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Poland to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda on February 10. (Marek Borawski/KPRP/Reuters)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish President Andrzej Duda discussed "the need for further joint actions for military support" in a meeting Friday, as the Ukrainian leader makes an unannounced diplomatic tour of European capitals.

The pair also talked about "the current situation at the front and the security in our region" and "the agenda before the upcoming summit #NATO in Vilnius," the Office of International Policy of the President of the Republic of Poland said in a series of tweets. 

Zelensky thanked Duda "for the support that Poland provides to Ukraine, including the care for millions of Ukrainian refugees," the office added. 

Some context: Zelensky gave an emotional address to EU lawmakers in Brussels Thursday, following a surprise visit to London and Paris as part of a trip aimed at persuading the West to send more weapons and military support to counter an expected Russian spring offensive.

Russia's invasion exacerbated the global refugee crisis, with millions of refugees from Ukraine spilling into countries in Europe as the conflict rages on at home.

Over 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees have been recorded in neighboring Poland, according to the latest figures from the UN's refugee agency.

6:28 a.m. ET, February 10, 2023

Putin to address Russian Federal Assembly before one-year anniversary of Ukraine invasion

From CNN’s Anna Chernova

Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver an address to the Federal Assembly on February 21, three days before the one-year anniversary of his invasion of Ukraine.

Putin will cover the “special military operation” in Ukraine, economics, and social issues in his address, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

The decision in regards to possible accreditation for journalists for the address has not been made yet, Peskov added.

Asked if participants, or servicemen, of the war in Ukraine would be attending Putin’s address, Peskov said: “We can say with certainty that they will be invited.”

The announcement from the Kremlin came after Ukraine's defense minister said Kyiv believes Russia will mark the first anniversary of its invasion next month with a renewed offensive.

5:56 a.m. ET, February 10, 2023

Ukrainian air raid alerts have stopped

From CNN's Maria Kostenko in Kyiv

Residents wait behind police cordon to return to their homes after a rocket attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 10.
Residents wait behind police cordon to return to their homes after a rocket attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 10. (Emilio Morenatti/AP)

Air raid alerts have now ended across all of Ukraine except for the eastern Luhansk region, after officials earlier warned of a potentially widespread Russian missile attack.

Russia launched strikes on critical infrastructure in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia and the western city of Khmelnytskyi, as well as the northeastern Kharkiv region, according to regional leaders. Seven people were injured in Kharkiv, said Oleh Syniehubov, head of the regional military administration. 

Ukrainian air defense was confirmed to be active in the Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Poltava and Odesa regions, according to officials.