February 8, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will on Wednesday make his first visit to the United Kingdom since the Russian invasion of his country, Downing Street said.

The surprise trip will see Zelensky meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, visit Ukrainian troops who are being trained by British forces, and address Parliament.

Zelensky's visit to London is only his second outside his country since Russia invaded Ukraine almost a year ago, following his visit to Washington DC in December.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meanwhile announced that his country will expand training to fighter pilots and marines while also promising a long-term investment in Ukraine's military.

Sunak said: "President Zelensky's visit to the UK is a testament to his country's courage, determination and fight, and a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries.

"Since 2014, the UK has provided vital training to Ukrainian forces, allowing them to defend their country, protect their sovereignty and fight for their territory.

"I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future."

Ukraine’s top national security official told Reuters that a renewed Russian offensive could include attempts to capture the cities of Kharkiv or Zaporizhzhia — major urban centers that Russian forces have never held. 

Russia controls a large portion of the Zaporizhzhia region, but has never captured the city itself. Both Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia have come under regular missile fire from Russia over the course of the past year.

In an interview with CNN on Monday, Danilov conceded that Ukraine was "concerned" about a Russian offensive. 

Some context: As the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion approaches this month, experts are concerned that Russia might intensify its assault in coming weeks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday thanked Joe Biden for voicing his support for Ukraine during the US President's State of the Union address to Congress.

Last year, Biden delivered his State of the Union speech just days after Russian leader Vladimir Putin launched his brutal war against Ukraine. And in his address Tuesday, Biden reaffirmed the US' continued support for Kyiv.

"A murderous assault, evoking images of the death and destruction Europe suffered in World War II," Biden said. "Putin’s invasion has been a test for the ages. A test for America. A test for the world."

Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv was hit by Russian missile attacks on Tuesday night, according to the region’s leader.

Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, said on Telegram that strikes by four missiles, believed to be S-300s destroyed buildings near the city's central park area.

The Soviet-era S-300, designed to take down combat aircraft, has been crudely repurposed by Russia to hit ground targets during its war on Ukraine..

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Tuesday that he had spoken with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about preparations for the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of his country.

Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, sending troops into its former Soviet neighbor from three fronts and firing missiles on several locations near the capital, Kyiv.

Ukrainian officials are reporting at least six explosions in Kharkiv on Tuesday.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said Tuesday that an industrial facility in the Kyivsky district of the city was hit by a strike.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine on Tuesday dismissed Russia's claims that it has taken control of several small settlements in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.  

Ukraine said "their capture by the enemy has not been confirmed at this time" and that "the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to defend each of these areas."

Earlier on Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Russia's "operations are successfully developing" near the key towns of Bakhmut and Vuhledar, and that Russian forces have taken control of several small settlements in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.

CNN is unable to independently verify those claims.

Shoigu also said Russia has full control of Soledar, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced their withdrawal from in January. 

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine also criticized Shoigu for touting the "achievements" of the Russian Armed Forces, arguing that Russian private military contractor Wagner is actively involved in combat in those areas. 

Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of Donetsk region military administration, on Monday spoke of the increase in Russian forces along parts of the front line in the eastern region.

Asked whether Bakhmut would fall, Kyrylenko said: "We are not ruling out any scenarios....All measures are being taken not to let that happen."

"No-one will use Ukrainian defenders as cannon fodder. As of now, Bakhmut is standing. We are doing all possible to destroy as many enemies as possible," he added.

Kyrylenko claimed that "almost 52% of Donetsk region is now controlled by Ukrainian government, Ukrainian Armed Forces."

He said approximately 500,000 civilians remain in parts of Donetsk controlled by Ukrainian forces, compared to 1.8 million just before the invasion.

Geolocated videos support the claim by a Russian military blogger that Russian forces have made incremental advances into Kharkiv region, northeast of the town of Kupyansk, which was recaptured by the Ukrainians in September. The videos show Ukrainian shelling of Russian troops in the town of Dvorichne, which was until recently in Ukrainian hands. 

The Ukrainian government approved the appointment of three new regional governors on Tuesday, according to the Office of the President. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed decrees appointing the following officials: