February 8, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

By Kathleen Magramo, Aditi Sangal, Adrienne Vogt, Leinz Vales, Mike Hayes, Tori B. Powell and Maureen Chowdhury, CNN

Updated 1:49 a.m. ET, February 9, 2023

What we covered here

President Volodymyr Zelensky visited both London and Paris on Wednesday in a burst of diplomacy aimed at persuading the West to send more weapons and military support to counter an expected Russian spring offensive.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged the first British Challenger 2 tanks would arrive next month while also announcing the UK will begin training Ukrainian pilots on NATO-standard fighter jets.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, asked about Kyiv's repeated request for fighter jets, said Washington would continue to "make judgments about what we think Ukraine needs and what it can be most effective in using."
On the battlefront, Ukrainian officials said Russian shelling appears to be increasing in parts of the Kharkiv region recaptured by Ukrainian forces last September.

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8:46 a.m. ET, February 8, 2023

"We have freedom, give us wings to protect it": Zelensky repeats call for fighter jets

From CNN's Jack Guy

Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, left, holds the helmet of one of the most successful Ukrainian pilots, inscribed with the words "We have freedom, give us wings to protect it", which was presented to him by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky inside the Palace of Westminster, on February 8. (Stefan Rousseau/AFP/Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeated his call for Western allies to deliver fighter jets to Ukraine to help it fight against Russia.

"We have freedom, give us wings to protect it," he said, as he presented a Ukrainian fighter pilot helmet to Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle.

Some context: Britain announced Wednesday it would send more military equipment to Kyiv to help counter a possible Russian spring offensive. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the UK would expand training to Ukrainian fighter pilots and marines, while also promising a long-term investment in Ukraine’s military.

The UK will begin training Ukrainian pilots on NATO-standard fighter jets, in what CNN understands would be the first official training program for Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter aircraft. There was however no mention of providing Ukraine with Western fighter aircraft that Zelensky has been calling for.

Kyiv will likely welcome the news that the UK’s training program is expanding to fighter jets, with Ukrainian officials having long called for Western allies to supply the planes.

No. 10 has so far refused to send its Typhoon or F-35 fighter jets to Ukraine, saying it was not "the right approach." However, Wednesday’s announcement will raise hopes that there could be a future shift in attitude.

8:55 a.m. ET, February 8, 2023

"Anyone who invests in terror must be held accountable," says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for Russia to face consequences for its invasion of Ukraine.

"There must be justice. Anyone who invests in terror must be held accountable," Zelensky said during an address to UK lawmakers Wednesday.

"Anyone who invests in violence must compensate those who have suffered from terror."

8:48 a.m. ET, February 8, 2023

"We know freedom will win," says Zelensky

From CNN's Jack Guy and Mick Krever

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky addresses parliamentarians in Westminster Hall on February 8, in London, England. (Stefan Rousseau/Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has told UK lawmakers that "we know freedom will win" in the war against Russia.

"We know Russia will lose," he said. "And we really know that victory will change the world. And this will be a change that the world has long needed. The United Kingdom is marching with us toward, I think, the most important victory of our lifetime."

"It will be a victory over the very idea of the war. After we win, any aggressor, it doesn’t matter, big or small, will know what awaits him if he attacks international order.

"Any aggressor who will try to push the boundaries by force, who will inflict destruction and death on other peoples, who will try to endure his dictatorship at the expense of other people’s blood in criminal and unprovoked wars, as the Kremlin does – any aggressor is going to lose."

8:23 a.m. ET, February 8, 2023

"Thank you Britain," Zelensky says in address to UK parliament

From CNN's Jack Guy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the United Kingdom for its support during his address in the Houses of Parliament.

"I have come here and stand before you on behalf of the brave, on behalf of our warriors," said Zelensky. "Thank you, Britain."

Addressing members of parliament in Westminster Hall, the Ukrainian president said the UK has "been home to brave souls since Europe came into existence."

Thanking parliament for their bravery received some chuckles, to which Zelensky replied, "yes, please!"

"London has stood with Kyiv since day one," he said. "Since the first seconds and minutes of the full-scale war. Great Britain, you extended your helping hand when the world had not yet come to understand how to react."

"I have come here and stand before you on behalf of the brave, on behalf of our war heroes who are now in the trenches under enemy artillery fire, on behalf of our air gunners, and every defender of the sky who protects Ukraine against enemy aircraft and missiles, on behalf of our tank men who fight to restore our Ukrainian borders, on behalf of our conscripts who are being trained now, including here in Britain," Zelensky said.

8:39 a.m. ET, February 8, 2023

Zelensky welcomed to UK parliament

From CNN's Jack Guy

Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord McFall, left, and Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, right, welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Westminster Hall, London, England, on February 8. (Stefan Rousseau/AFP/Getty Images)

UK Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the UK Houses of Parliament, where he will address lawmakers.

"As you told us last year, this is a war that Ukraine did not start and did not want. But it is a war you have had to fight," Hoyle said during an address introducing Zelensky on Wednesday. "Our commitment to support you and your people has not wavered."

"We will continue to support you against that Russian aggressor," he added.

Applause filled Westminster Hall as Hoyle introduced Zelensky.

8:03 a.m. ET, February 8, 2023

Zelensky arrives at UK parliament

From CNN's Jack Guy

A member of the public waves a Ukraine's flag as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at the Palace of Westminster, in central London, England, on February 8, to deliver a speech at Westminster Hall (Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at the UK Houses of Parliament, where he is expected to address lawmakers shortly.

Earlier Wednesday, Zelensky met with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on his surprise visit to London, during which he is also expected to meet King Charles III.

7:44 a.m. ET, February 8, 2023

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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on a surprise visit to the UK, which is only his second trip outside Ukraine since Russia invaded its neighbor almost a year ago.

Meanwhile, the UK government has announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting the "Russian military and Kremlin elites," as well as the launch of a training program for Ukrainian fighter jet pilots.

Here are the latest headlines:

Zelensky makes surprise UK visit: The Ukrainian president has said it's a "great honor" to be in the UK as he met with Sunak on a surprise trip to the country. Zelensky is also expected to address British lawmakers, meet with King Charles III and visit Ukrainian troops who are being trained by British forces.
UK to train Ukrainian pilots: The UK government said that it will start training Ukrainian pilots on NATO-standard fighter jets. CNN understands that this would be the first official training program for Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter aircraft. However, there was no mention of providing Ukraine with fighter jets, as Zelensky has asked.
Fresh UK sanctions on Russia: The UK has announced a fresh round of sanctions against the "Russian military and Kremlin elites." The sanctions package targets six entities providing military equipment, such as drones, for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as eight individuals and one entity connected to "nefarious financial networks that help maintain wealth and power amongst Kremlin elites," a government statement read Wednesday.
Russia targets Kharkiv in missile attack: Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv was hit by Russian missile attacks on Tuesday night, according to the region's leader. Four missiles destroyed buildings near the city's central park but didn't cause any casualties.
Zelensky thanks Biden for support: Zelensky thanked US President Joe Biden for voicing his support for Ukraine during the US President's State of the Union address to Congress. “Thank you @POTUS for the powerful words of support for [Ukraine] while addressing the nation,” Zelensky said on Twitter.
Ukraine repeats call for Russia Olympic ban: Zelensky’s chief of staff has urged the International Olympic Committee to bar Russian athletes from participating in the 2024 Paris Summer games, referencing the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The IOC said last month that "no athlete should be prevented from competing just because of their passport."

7:55 a.m. ET, February 8, 2023

UK prime minister says he hopes the ICC issues indictments related to Russia's war "very shortly"

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he is hopeful of seeing the first International Criminal Court (ICC) indictments linked to Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine “very shortly."

"We’re shortly to be hosting a conference together with the Dutch," Sunak said. “And also one of the things I discussed with President Zelensky this morning is our support for the work of the ICC where, thanks to the efforts of UK members, I’m hopeful we will see the first indictments very shortly.”

He added, “I’m proud the United Kingdom has played, again, a leadership role in this regard being one of the first countries to provide financial and technical support, putting investigators on the ground."

7:19 a.m. ET, February 8, 2023

UK announces new round of sanctions against Russia

From CNN's Radina Gigova in London

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly arrives at 10 Downing Street on February 8, in London, England. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

The UK has announced a fresh round of sanctions against the "Russian military and Kremlin elites."

It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit to Britain on Wednesday.

The sanctions package targets six entities providing military equipment, such as drones, for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as eight individuals and one entity connected to "nefarious financial networks that help maintain wealth and power amongst Kremlin elites," a government statement reads.

"Ukraine has shown Putin that it will not break under his tyrannical invasion. He has responded by indiscriminately striking civilian areas and critical national infrastructure across the country," UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in the statement.

"We cannot let him succeed. We must increase our support," he added.

"These new sanctions accelerate the economic pressure on Putin – undermining his war machine to help Ukraine prevail," said Cleverly.

"I am determined, consistent with our laws, that Russia will have no access to the assets we have frozen until it ends, once and for all, its threats to Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and integrity."

After arriving in London earlier Wednesday, Zelensky met with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The Ukrainian president is due to address British lawmakers and meet with King Charles later.