February 28, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news

By Aditi Sangal, Jessie Yeung, Adam Renton, Rob Picheta, Ed Upright, Maureen Chowdhury, Jason Kurtz, Melissa Macaya and Meg Wagner, CNN

Updated 12:01 a.m. ET, March 1, 2022
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7:37 a.m. ET, February 28, 2022

CNN reports from the grisly aftermath of a fierce fight between Russian and Ukrainian forces

Unexploded grenades, smoking vehicles and dead bodies litter a scorched bridge near Kyiv after a Russian attack was repelled by Ukrainian forces.

CNN’s Matthew Chance walked through the aftermath of the scene on Monday, where charred debris litters the ground and the remains of Russian soldiers lay abandoned on the tarmac. 

Heavy-duty military vehicles were reduced to rubble in the fighting, with Western anti-tank missiles assisting in the Ukrainians' defence, Chance said.

The Russian column has been absolutely hammered," he said.

“Ukrainian officials and Ukrainian soldiers who I’ve been speaking to over the last couple of hours are absolutely enthused by this victory," Chance said.

“It’s not just here. We’ve seen instances all over the country where Ukrainians have really pushed back against the Russians, and it’s really made them feel that they can win this war."

Russian forces have encountered "stiffer than expected" resistance from the Ukrainian military as well as unexpected difficulties supplying its forces, two senior US officials with direct knowledge told CNN on Sunday.

But Chance added that the question remains: “What will Russia do now?" He predicted a strong likelihood that Moscow could "double down and go in much harder" in response. “That is the big risk now for the Ukrainian military.”

Watch the CNN report here:

9:15 a.m. ET, February 28, 2022

Vatican offers to help talks between Ukraine and Russia

From CNN's Hada Messia in Rome and Sharon Braithwaite in London

The Vatican is willing "to facilitate" a dialogue between Ukraine and Russia to end the war, Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said Monday. 

Parolin, who is the number one ranking Vatican official after Pope Francis, told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that he believes that "there is still and always room for negotiation. It is never too late." 

Parolin added that the Vatican has been following with "great attention the events in Ukraine," and that it offers "its willingness to facilitate dialogue with Russia, is always ready to help the parties to resume this path."

Pope Francis once again on Sunday spoke on the conflict during his weekly Angelus prayer and asked the faithful to pray and invited "all to make March 2, Ash Wednesday, a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine."

6:49 a.m. ET, February 28, 2022

Belarusian minister welcomes Ukrainian and Russian delegations for talks, saying they should feel "completely safe"

Delegates from the Russian State Duma and the Ukrainian Parliament meet for talks in Belarus on February 28.
Delegates from the Russian State Duma and the Ukrainian Parliament meet for talks in Belarus on February 28. (Alexander Kryazhev/TASS/Reuters)

Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei welcomed delegations from Ukraine and Russia for talks on Monday, assuring delegates that they should feel “completely safe.”  

“Dear friends, the President of Belarus asked me to welcome you and to provide everything for your work, as agreed with President Zelensky and President Putin. You may feel completely safe here. This is our sacred duty,” Makei said. 

“President Lukashenko sincerely hopes that, during today’s talks, it will be possible to find solutions to all the questions of this crisis. All Belarusians are praying for this. Any proposals, in terms of organizing today’s meeting, will be considered and absolutely fulfilled,” he added. “We look forward to the results.”

The exact location of the talks between Russia and Ukraine on Monday has been kept secret for security reasons. 

The talks are in Belarus, but the only location that has been announced is that they are on the banks of the Pripyat river in the Gomel region of Belarus. 

6:30 a.m. ET, February 28, 2022

Nearly 6,000 detained across Russia after fourth day of anti-war protests

From CNN’s Vasco Cotovio and Anna Chernova in Moscow

Russian authorities have detained a total of 5,942 people for participating in anti-war protests across the country since the Kremlin ordered an invasion of Ukraine, independent monitoring site OVD-Info said on Sunday. 

According to the latest data, 2,802 people were detained for taking part in unsanctioned demonstrations in 57 cities throughout the country on Sunday, OVD-Info also reported. In Moscow alone, 1,275 people were detained.

So far there have been no indications of protests on Monday.  

Under Russian law, large demonstrations require protesters apply for a permit, which has to be submitted no more than 15 but no less than 10 days before the event. Heavy fines -- and in some cases even prison time -- can be imposed on those who protest without a permit.

Individuals are allowed to stage solo protests, but it is not unheard of for people to be detained for those as well.

On Thursday, Russia’s Investigative Committee warned that participation in any anti-war protest was illegal. It also said that offenses could be entered on participants’ criminal records which would “leave a mark on the person’s future”

9:14 a.m. ET, February 28, 2022

Ukraine-Russia talks start in Belarus

Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, left, and Russian State Duma member Leonid Slutsky, followed by the Ukrainian delegation arrive for Russian-Ukrainian talks in Belarus on February 28.
Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, left, and Russian State Duma member Leonid Slutsky, followed by the Ukrainian delegation arrive for Russian-Ukrainian talks in Belarus on February 28. (Alexandr Kryazhev/ Sputnik/AP)

Talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Belarus began just before 1 p.m. Ukrainian time (6 a.m. ET) on Monday.

Ukraine's delegation includes several high-ranking officials, but not Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky himself.

The country demanded an “immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops” in the lead-up to the meeting.

5:52 a.m. ET, February 28, 2022

The Moscow stock exchange will stay closed on Monday

From CNN’s Vasco Cotovio in Moscow

Moscow's stock exchange will not open Monday, the Russian Central Bank said, after the country's currency plummeted in the wake of Western sanctions.

“Due to the current situation, the Bank of Russia has decided not to open a stock market section, a derivatives market section, or a derivatives market section on the Moscow Exchange today,” the statement from the bank read. 

The Russian Central Bank also said it would announce the opening times for Tuesday on the day, at 9:00 a.m. local time (1 a.m. ET) 

The suspension of trading comes after the Russian currency, the ruble, plunged nearly 30% on Monday, as markets began to assess the impact of sanctions imposed by the United States and NATO allies on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. 

7:37 a.m. ET, February 28, 2022

Ukrainians line up to buy food after lengthy curfew ends

From CNN’s Gul Tuysuz in Kyiv

People joined lines to buy provisions in Kyiv after restrictions on staying at home ended Monday.
People joined lines to buy provisions in Kyiv after restrictions on staying at home ended Monday. (Gul Tuysuz/CNN)

Long lines have been forming at supermarkets across Kyiv, after a 36-hour curfew lifted in the Ukrainian capital Monday.

The curfew was in place from 5 p.m. on Saturday until 8 a.m. on Monday morning and required all residents to stay at home.

A CNN producer who went to three supermarkets said the lines were extremely long and that shelves were emptying fast. 

Kyiv citizens queued up as food stores reopened, after many closed when bombing started last week.
Kyiv citizens queued up as food stores reopened, after many closed when bombing started last week. (Gul Tuysuz/CNN)

One person in a queue told CNN: “I think everyone in Ukraine is confused. I didn’t expect what happened, to happen. I am between feeling scared and totally angry.” 

Many food stores were shuttered since bombings in Kyiv started last week. People have reported shortages of certain supplies. 

Kyiv municipal authorities said grocery stories will be open and city public transport system will run at limited capacity.

5:32 a.m. ET, February 28, 2022

Kremlin declines comment on progress of invasion after facing days of strong resistance

From CNN's Anna Chernova and Nathan Hodge in Moscow, and Allegra Goodwin in London

The Kremlin declined to comment Monday on the progress of Russia's so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine, referring questions on the matter to the military.

“I don’t think this is the time to sum up the results of the [military] operation, we need to wait for completion of the operation,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a conference call with journalists.

The Russian military has acknowledged casualties but has not given exact figures.

Moscow's invasion has encountered "stiffer than expected" resistance from the Ukrainian military as well as unexpected difficulties supplying its forces, two senior US officials with direct knowledge told CNN on Sunday.

Official civilian death toll reaches triple figures: The latest toll for civilian deaths in Ukraine stands at 102, with 304 people injured, but the true figure is feared to be “considerably higher,” the UN’s Michelle Bachelet said Monday. 

The death toll includes seven children, Bachelet said, adding: “Most of these civilians were killed by explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multi-launch rocket systems, and air strikes.” 

According to Bachelet, 422,000 people have fled Ukraine, while other civilians still in the country are “forced to huddle in different forms of bomb shelters, such as underground stations, to escape explosions.” 

5:19 a.m. ET, February 28, 2022

Ukraine asks to "urgently" join the European Union

From CNN's Radina Gigova

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a video message from Kyiv as he asks the European Union to "urgently admit Ukraine" to the bloc on February 28.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a video message from Kyiv as he asks the European Union to "urgently admit Ukraine" to the bloc on February 28. (President of Ukraine)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the European Union on Monday to "urgently admit Ukraine" to the bloc.

"We appeal to the European Union to urgently admit Ukraine using a new procedure," Zelensky said in his latest video message.

"We are grateful to partners for standing with us. But our goal is to be with all Europeans and, to be equal to them. I am sure we deserve it. I am sure it is possible."

Zelensky said he spoke on Sunday with the Presidents of Portugal, Lithuania, France and Poland as well as the Prime Ministers of Belgium, Spain and the United Kingdom. "Support of our anti-war coalition is unconditional and unprecedented," Zelensky said.