February 15, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

By Tara Subramaniam, Adrienne Vogt, Aditi Sangal, Leinz Vales, Sana Noor Haq, Hannah Strange and Mike Hayes, CNN

Updated 12:54 a.m. ET, February 16, 2023
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6:47 p.m. ET, February 15, 2023

Macron and China’s top diplomat discuss “shared objective” of bringing peace to Ukraine, embassy says

From CNN’s Xiaofei Xu in Paris and Jessie Gretener in London

Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, met with President Emmanuel Macron in France Wednesday and discussed efforts in bringing peace to Ukraine.

“China values the role France plays as an independent great power,” the Chinese embassy said after Wang met with Macron at the Elysée Palace.

“Both sides comprehensively exchanged opinions on the Ukraine issue. Wang Yi emphasized that on this issue, China insist on being objective and is always trying to promote peace and realize talks,” the statement read, adding that China “is willing to work with France and the rest of the international community to explore political means to solve the issue in order to achieve ceasefire and the end of the war as quickly as possible.”

An earlier statement by the Elysée Palace also stated both countries expressed “the same objective” regarding Ukraine, with Macron emphasizing “the consequences of this conflict on international peace and security as well as France’s support to an aggressed country.”

Wang also had dinner with France’s Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna, who tweeted that the pair had a “solid exchange on the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and ways for us to work on resolving the conflict.”

Wang will continue to meet with French officials on Thursday.

4:45 p.m. ET, February 15, 2023

Polish official says NATO can ramp up weapons production to support Ukraine's needs

From CNN’s Isa Soares, Laura Ford, and Jessie Gretener

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jabłoński said Wednesday that “it is absolutely doable” for NATO members to ramp up ammunition production at the speed needed to support Ukraine. 

“It is feasible," Jabłoński said in an interview with CNN’s Isa Soares. "It is a cost that we are bearing for almost a year. It’s a cost that we need to bear if we want to avoid much larger costs. A cost of instability. A cost of war – all across Europe because [President Vladimir] Putin will not stop if we won’t do it.”

He added that “we have the resources… we only need the political will to use these resources.” 

Jabłoński also said Poland was also increasing weapons production, not just to help Ukraine but to ensure its own military was well-equipped. 

As to whether Poland would provide fighter jets to Kyiv, Jabłoński said nothing should be off the table.

4:29 p.m. ET, February 15, 2023

Kyiv's electric transit system, halted due to Russian attacks on power infrastructure, to resume Thursday

From CNN's Maria Kostenko in Kyiv 

A photo taken on January 13, shows an electric streetcar in Ukraine's capital Kyiv after the tram service was partially resumed.
A photo taken on January 13, shows an electric streetcar in Ukraine's capital Kyiv after the tram service was partially resumed. (Kyodo News via Getty Images)

The city of Kyiv is gradually resuming electric public transit operations in the wake of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, according to the mayor. 

A total of 186 trolleybuses and 157 trams will be operating from Thursday, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a Telegram post. 

Following missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, electric-powered transit options such as streetcars were restricted due to a lack of power supply – and were temporarily replaced by bus routes.

4:07 p.m. ET, February 15, 2023

Death toll rises to 3 after Russian attack on apartments in Pokrovsk, Ukrainian authorities say

From CNN's Maria Kostenko in Kyiv 

A woman walks on a playground after an apartment block was heavily damaged by a missile strike in Pokrovsk, Ukraine, on Wednesday, February 15.
A woman walks on a playground after an apartment block was heavily damaged by a missile strike in Pokrovsk, Ukraine, on Wednesday, February 15. (Marko Djurica/Reuters)

Ukrainian regional authorities said three people were killed and 11 people wounded on Wednesday in a Russian attack in the town of Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region. One of the severely injured civilians remains in the hospital. 

"Four multi-story buildings and a school were damaged due to the attack," the head of the Donetsk region military administration Pavlo Kyrylenko said in a Telegram post. "The rescue operation at the building destroyed by Russians is over."

In a video of the aftermath posted by the Donetsk region military administration, one woman says her husband died in the kitchen of their apartment. 

Fourteen residents of the building have decided to evacuate from the Donetsk region, while the rest will remain in Pokrovsk, according to regional authorities. 

The Ukrainian General Staff said Russian forces launched 28 Multiple Launch Rocket System attacks on civilian infrastructure in both the Donetsk region and the Kherson region. 

3:28 p.m. ET, February 15, 2023

Ukrainian forces say they destroyed Russian thermobaric weapon launcher near town in Donetsk

From CNN's Tim Lister and Maria Kostenko in Kyiv, and Lauren Kent in London 

 Ukrainian forces released a video of a powerful explosion they said resulted from the attack. 
Ukrainian forces released a video of a powerful explosion they said resulted from the attack.  (Land Forces of Ukraine)

Ukrainian forces said on Wednesday they destroyed a Russian multiple rocket launcher that fired thermobaric weapons near the town of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

The Ukrainian forces released a video of a powerful explosion they said resulted from the attack. 

"The enemy 'Solntsepiok' was grilled a little," the forces said on Telegram, using a nickname for the Russian TOS-1 multiple rocket launcher.

Russia's TOS-1 or TOS-1A multiple rocket launchers are capable of launching rockets with thermobaric warheads. 

About thermobaric weapons: These types of weapons do not use conventional ammunition. Instead, they are filled with high-temperature, high-pressure explosives. They are sometimes called “vacuum bombs” because they suck in the oxygen from the surrounding air to generate a powerful explosion and a large pressure wave that can have enormous destructive effects. 

CNN has previously reported on Russian forces moving TOS-1 multiple rocket launchers near the Ukrainian border and within Ukraine, including near Kharkiv.

The Head of the Office of the Ukrainian President��Andriy Yermak responded on Wednesday to the video of the hit: 

"The 72 Brigade ... have fried a Russian 'Solntsepiok,'" Yermak said on Telegram. "Nice picture." 

Translation by Olga Betko. CNN's Fred Pleitgen and Ivana Kottasová contributed reporting to this post.

5:05 p.m. ET, February 15, 2023

Situation is tense in eastern Ukraine during ongoing offensive, Ukrainian defense official says

From CNN's Lauren Kent and Maria Kostenko in Kyiv

In this December 2022 photo, Ukraine's Deputy of Defense Minister Hanna Maliar addresses a press conference in Kyiv.
In this December 2022 photo, Ukraine's Deputy of Defense Minister Hanna Maliar addresses a press conference in Kyiv. (Surgei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images)

The situation in eastern Ukraine is "tense" as Russia's offensive is "ongoing," according to Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar on Wednesday. 

"The assaults are day-and-night. The situation is tense," Maliar said in a Telegram post. "Yes, it’s hard on our people. You can see for yourself what kind of war Russia is doing. Nevertheless, our fighters are keeping the enemy from reaching their goals and inflicting massive losses."

Maliar claimed that Russia is facing personnel losses of "up to 80%" in some of its army units and units of the Wagner private military company. CNN cannot independently verify those claims. 

"Evacuation of the dead and wounded by the enemy is limited or not performed at all," Maliar said. "More and more Russian soldiers realize their commanders inadequately assess combat situations on the battlefield." 

Maliar also reiterated Ukraine's claims that many Russian soldiers have a low level of readiness after undergoing "accelerated" basic training courses of only 14 to 21 days. 

8:07 p.m. ET, February 15, 2023

US has growing concern about Russia-China partnership amid Ukraine war, deputy secretary of state says

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said Wednesday that the United States has “growing concern” about the partnership between China and Russia — and China’s tacit support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“My assessment is the PRC (People's Republic of China) is trying to both increase its standing in the international community by saying that it's willing to mediate and help bring this horrifying invasion to an end. And at the same time, they are committed to their no limits partnership with Russia,” Sherman said at an event at the Brookings Institution. “And we have, certainly, concern and growing concern about that partnership and the PRC’s support for this invasion.”

She said that China is trying to “have it both ways.” She also expressed concern about Russia’s partnerships with Iran and North Korea.

However, Sherman said her message to those supporting Moscow is: “You're going to end up with an albatross around your neck.”

“The Ukrainians are going to deliver a strategic failure for Putin. And that's going to create a lot of problems for those who are supporting this unholy invasion going forward,” she said.

2:09 p.m. ET, February 15, 2023

NATO ambassador says US will continue to support Ukraine but currently has no plans to send fighter jets

From CNN's Eoin McSweeney

Although NATO allies "expect some sort of negotiation" with Russia over its war in Ukraine, they "are very focused on getting everything the Ukrainian military forces need" in the meantime, the United States ambassador to the military alliance, Julianne Smith, told CNN.

Regarding the United States specifically, Smith told CNN's Becky Anderson on Wednesday that she "doesn't see the US letting its foot off the gas. I see continued support." 

She added that NATO would not be backing down to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and "will do everything we can to continue to apply pressure on Moscow to affect his strategic calculus." 

NATO defense ministers are meeting in Brussels this week and a key topic of discussion has been dwindling ammunition stockpiles. Smith said allies would "continue to send strong signals to industry to turn on production lines where necessary," adding that NATO members are now looking at multinational or pooled buying of ammunition to "send an even stronger incentive to the private sector." 

With regards to fighter jets: Despite repeated requests from Ukraine, the Biden administration has flatly refused to entertain the idea of sending F-16 fighter jets to the embattled nation. 

"The United States does not have any plans currently to send F-16s or any other fighter jets," Smith reiterated. "We've also been clear in that each country needs to determine for itself what kind of contribution it wants to make." 

Finland and Sweden formally applied to join NATO last spring, just months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the time that he would reject the effort, accusing the two countries of being “like guesthouses for terror organizations.” Those tensions have continued.

"This is a process we have to go through. What's been remarkable is the speed with which 28 other allies have gone forward with the ratification process," Smith said when asked whether any progress had been made in the ascension process. "But we want to continue to see those three countries come together and address some of the concerns that Turkey has raised." 

1:05 p.m. ET, February 15, 2023

Western allies pledge military support for Ukraine as battle for Bakhmut intensifies. Here's what to know

From CNN staff

Ukrainian soldiers patrol on February 14 in Bakhmut, Ukraine.
Ukrainian soldiers patrol on February 14 in Bakhmut, Ukraine. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Russian forces are escalating attacks in eastern Ukraine in an effort to capture the strategically important city of Bakhmut.

Meanwhile, Western allies are reiterating their pledge to continue to provide support to Ukraine in a NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels, as Kyiv pushes for more aerial defenses, including fighter jets.

Catch up on the latest developments in Russia's war in Ukraine:

  • Battle for Bakhmut: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the situation in the eastern city of Bakhmut is "the most difficult out of all" areas in Ukraine. Russian forces are escalating attacks there as the battle for the Donetsk region intensifies. A Ukrainian soldier has told CNN of the "difficult" attempts to defend the few remaining routes into the city, as more than 25 settlements were shelled in eastern Ukraine Tuesday, according to the military.
  • Aid for Ukraine: The US and NATO are reiterating their determination to provide Ukraine with sophisticated equipment and training to give them the upper hand over Russian attacks. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US expects Russia to continue throwing bodies at the fight despite their lack of equipment. The EU’s top diplomat has also urged Western allies to follow Germany and “deliver as many tanks as possible and as quickly as possible.” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson did not rule out sending fighter jets but cautioned that action must be taken through a coordinated, international coalition. 
  • New sanctions: In its 10th sanctions package against Russia, the European Union will target industrial goods and technology. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it will apply to "vital goods such as electronics, specialized vehicles, machine parts, spare parts for trucks and jet engines." The bloc has also decided to sanction Iranian entities connected with the supply of Iranian-made drones to Russia. 
  • At the Belarus border: Tensions are mounting at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border ahead of a possible Russian spring offensive. Ukraine has closed all border crossings to Belarus, except to occasionally allow entry to Ukrainian refugees who are looking to return to their home country. Russia used the territory of Belarus as one of its launch pads for the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Joint military drills over the last year between Belarus and Russia have contributed to concerns that Belarusian troops could join Russia's forces
  • Invitation to Ukraine: Zelensky reiterated Kyiv's invitation for US President Joe Biden to visit Ukraine. The US president is planning to visit Poland next week to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.