Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered 800 U.S. troops to the Baltic region and eight F-35 fighter jets to NATO’s eastern flank. Senior U.S. defense official said 20 AH-64 attack helicopters moving to Baltics and 12 helicopters to Poland

President Zelensky declared call of reservists

Military convoy filmed in Bile, Luhansk region

The Pentagon: 20 Apache attack helicopters will move from Germany to the Baltic region

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Kuleba (who is in town for meetings with Secs. Austin and Blinken) has met with President Biden. “President Biden reiterated the readiness of the United States. to respond swiftly and decisively to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine

EU ambassadors took a preliminary decision on the EU sanctions on Russia tonight. final adoption at around 11am tomorrow. then written procedure till 15 and finally the sanctions will be published in the EU official journal later that afternoon

In Volnovakha, Donetsk region about 30,000 people cut from water supply as a result of attacks by Russians, – Ukraine’s ombudsman Denisova

Sentinel-2 imagery taken this morning 08: 36 UTC shows at least nine Ilyushin Il-76 military cargo aircraft departing Taganrog-Central Air Base near Taganrog in Russia, located on the shores of the Sea of Azov, 40 km from Ukraine (DPR). Three of them airborne, six taxiing

Putin’s speech recognizing Ukraine’s breakaway regions is a “rewrite of history”: President Biden. Nothing in Russian President’s speech indicates that Kremlin is interested in dialogue

Biden says Putin has a “twisted” sense of history. “He explicitly threatened war unless his extreme demands were met. There’s no question that Russia is the aggressor”

Putin “directly attacked Ukraine’s right to exist,” Biden says. “He explicitly threatened war unless his extreme demands were met.nonetheless, there is still time to avert the worst-case scenario.” Biden says US and allies still remain open to diplomacy

President Zelensky discussed with heads of factions of Ukrainian Parliament a state of emergency in Donetsk and Luhansk regions

Biden says he’s also authorized additional movements of US forces and equipment already in Europe to reinforce Baltic allies. Notes this is totally defensive and “we have no intention of fighting Russia,” he says

Biden “In response to Russia’s admission that it will not withdraw its forces from Belarus, I have authorized the additional movements of U.S. forces and equipment already stationed in Europe, to strengthen our Baltic allies Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

“None of us should be fooled. None of us will be fooled. There is no justification.” – @POTUS on Russia’s moves on Ukraine

Biden says he still thinks Russia is planning a major invasion of Ukraine. He says he hopes he’s wrong but points to Russia’s military presence around Ukraine, including blood supplies. He says: “You don’t need blood unless you’re starting a war”

US President Joe Biden says: “This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

U.S. will impose a first set of sanctions on Russia for moving onto Ukraine’s territory: POTUS; – Full blocking sanctions on VEB and military bank; – Sanctions on Russian sovereign debt.; – U.S. will apply sanctions on Russia’s elites tomorrow

Biden: “Who in the Lord’s name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries?”

Biden: “Russia has now undeniably moved against Ukraine by declaring these independent states. So today I’m announcing the first tranche of sanctions to impose costs on Russia in response to their actions yesterday”

All objects of critical infrastructure of the capital region are taken under protection by divisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, – Minister Denis Monastyrsky

Smoke over Russian consulate general in Odesa

Smoke rising from Russian Embassy In Kyiv, Ukraine. People were seen carrying in boxes earlier. Embassy was ordered to evacuate

Shelling with MLRS targeting Ukrainian positions near Komyshyvakha from Pervomaisk

Russian Foreign Ministry says Russia establishing diplomatic relations with Donetsk and Luhansk

Russian forces shelled Muratove village with MLRS

Good catch from @BVasylchenko. Most of the “Z” markings seen thus far have been inside a square, but this Ural truck with a Msta-B howitzer has one inside a triangle. Possibly indicating different task forces within a larger formation or echelon. This is in Valuyki

Video uploaded a couple hours ago shows a large amount of Russian forces off-road in the Belgorod region of Russia, per video author

US Defense Secretary: Putin is still able to avoid the explosion of war

At the start of the meeting with FM Kuleba, Austin says: “Russia’s latest invasion is threatening the peace and security and prosperity of Ukraine and transatlantic community”

French foreign minister Le Drian offers robust rebuttal to question over French president’s mediation efforts on Ukraine, saying he did all in his power to avoid war but Putin’s signature and word is now shown to be worthless

Le Drian defending Macron against Putin’s humilation says ‘what is new is that Putin no longer honours Russia’s signature.’

Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has arrived at the Pentagon for a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Austin

French FM Le Drian says he’s not planning to meet Lavrov on Friday in Paris. That had been discussed yesterday on basis of no Ukraine invasion. Le Drian implies that when discussed with Lavrov, the latter must have known about Putin’s looming move

Russia to evacuate embassy staff from Ukraine, – Russian Foreign Ministry says

CCTV footage from a building in village near Schastia shows an apparent shelling

Borrell confirms the numbers of people/entities sanctioned: 351 Duma members and 27 officials, entities and commanders

EU ministers unanimously agree package of sanctions on Russia says French FM Jean-Yves Le Drian

Downing Street readout of Boris Johnson’s call with French President Emmanuel Macron this afternoon. A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron this afternoon about the chilling developments in Ukraine last night”

Water supply cut to Popasna town as result of shelling of water supply station near Zolote-3 village

Even tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine is a strategic threat for Russia – Putin

An armed “anti-Russia” represented by Ukraine is unacceptable for the Russian Federation, especially in view of Kyiv’s current nuclear ambitions, – Putin said

Putin: Ukraine should recognize Crimea as part of Russia

Putin: Ukraine should abandon NATO path and declare neutrality

Russia stands for demilitarization of Ukraine – Putin

Putin: we recognized Donetsk and Luhansk in the borders as described in their constitutions

Putin: Minsk agreements are no longer exist

“There is the real risk” of an all-out war between Russia and Ukraine, warns NATO chief Stoltenberg

Biden remarks moved up to 1pm EST

NATO Secretary General: There is still a possibility to avoid an all-out war

This is the most dangerous moment in European security for a generation, says @jensstoltenberg. He adds “every indication” is that Russia continues to plan a full-scale attack on Ukraine: forces continue buildup, moving to strike positions & the Donbas declaration is a pretext

“This is the most dangerous moment for European security in a generation,” says NATO chief Stoltenberg. “We commend Ukraine for its restraint in not responding to Russia’s repeated provocations,” he adds. “We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and its government”

Russian Federation Council allowed Putin to use the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation abroad

Senator of Russian Federation Council Klishas: The total number of formations of the Armed Forces, the duration of their stay and the territory of stay will be determined by Putin

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss: The G7 Foreign Ministers strongly condemn Russia’s violation of their international commitments. We agreed a strong package of coordinated escalatory sanctions in response. Our support is unwavering for the territorial integrity of Ukraine

Putin signed agreements on official military help to occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine

Deputy Defense minister of Russia Pankov explaining senators of Federation Council why Putin asking to deploy troops to Ukraine: Ukraine deployed 60 000 troops in Eastern Ukraine, NATO is providing Ukraine with weapons, also citing false accusations of latest days circulated by Russian media

At 2 p.m., President Biden will make remarks on Russia and Ukraine. The White House has teased more sanctions in light of Putin’s moves yesterday

Head of Russian Federation Council Matvienko before closed meeting: Putin asked to allow using army abroad

Fire is still burning at Schastia power plant, firefighters can not extinguish the fire at the moment

CzechRepublic Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon Russia ambassador on Wednesday. Demands explanation of recent development in Ukraine. Ambassador will meet deputy MFA

President Zelensky:Phone conversations with partners continue. Briefed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on the security situation in the region. We agreed to make joint efforts for a peaceful settlement

Hungary defense ministry says the country will deploy some troops near its border with Ukraine, in part to prepare for humanitarian work

Sanctions package should include Nord Stream & NordStream2, SWIFT and Putin in person – Poland’s deputy PM Kaczyński

Zelensky: Had a phone conversation with @RTErdogan. Expressed gratitude for supporting of Ukraine position on the latest provocative decisions of Russia

“This is the beginning of an invasion,” says Deputy NSA Finer on CNN. “An invasion is an invasion & that is what is underway.” But he also says that Russia is “making overt what it has denied” by sending in troops to the Donbas because Russian troops have been there for 8 yrs

Secretary General @jensstoltenberg will brief the media after an extraordinary meeting of the NATO – Ukraine Commission today around 17: 00 (CET) @NATO HQ

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus: Belarus supports peaceful resolution of conflict in eastern Ukraine, and welcomes Russian statement on openness to diplomacy. Blames U.S and EU in escalation of the situation in the region

Occupation authorities in parts of Donetsk region claim for the first time since 2018 BM-21 was used against Donetsk city

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday said Britain would sanction five Russian banks and three high net worth individuals including Gennady Timchenko

Another video of Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters flying over Kalinkavichy (Gomel region, Belarus) today (22.02)

Tank broken at Volokonovka in Belgorod region

Ka-52 “Alligator” reconnaissance and attack helicopters, Mi-24 “Crocodile” attack helicopters and Mi-8 multi-purpose helicopters were seen in the sky over Kalinkavichy (Gomel region, Belarus) today (22.02)

Troops at Gusev, Rostov Oblast

Russian Foreign Ministry: Russia is not going to send troops to the Donetsk and Luhansk so far

Russian Federation Council ratified agreements with Donetsk and Luhansk on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance, including military assistance

Tanks filmed in Valuyki today

Putin to President of Azerbaijan Aliyev: Russia supports sovereignty of former Soviet Republics, except of Ukraine, situation there is different cause of “external influence”

Infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery near Sambek close to the border with Donbas.

Transformer caught fire after Russian forces shelled Luhanska Power Plant in Schastia

Zelensky stated that Ukraine will not consider the request of occupation authorities to withdraw Ukrainian troops from the controlled territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions: We do not communicate with them, we can not understand who is them

Scholz says Nord Stream 2 won’t be certified and he has instructed a new assessment of how Germany’s energy supplies can be secured. “The situation has fundamentally changed”

Head of occupation authorities in parts of Donetsk region wants whole Donetsk region

Greece will stand with its allies in the EU and NATO, Gerapetritis says

Ukraine Foreign Ministry recalls Chargé d’Affaires of Ukraine in Russia for consultations

Russian Foreign Ministry: Russia realized that the time of the Minsk agreements has passed

Russian Foreign Ministry: Russia does not want to break off diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Clarifies the recognition only of areas of Donetsk and Luhansk region without control of Ukraine

Zelensky just now — announced he’s considering a proposal to sever diplomatic ties with Russia

Estonia’s President – who is visiting Ukraine’s President in Kyiv – says a “threat to Ukraine is a threat to the security of Europe”. Alar Karis says the door must stay open for Ukraine to join NATO and the European Union. “You belong in Europe”

Ukraine’s President @ZelenskyyUa says western sanctions on Russia for its action in separatist-held eastern Ukraine must include a shutdown of the Nord Stream 2 Russian gas pipeline

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Japan’s Prime Minister spoke via phone with Germany’s Chancellor Scholz – Kyodo

[email protected]: “When the Russian President undermines the order of Europe, it takes unity and a decisive attitude from NATO, the EU and the countries of our region. Only firmness and a political defense of Ukraine can stop the aggressor

The Russian Federation expects that the UN, before making statements on the Donetsk and Luhansk, will rely on the basic principles of the organization, – Russian FM Lavrov

Czech Republic PM @P_Fiala about Russia: “Western approach hasn’t been tough enough so far.” . „We have already sent 152-millimeter artillery shells to Ukraine. We are ready to discuss providing more help if Ukraine asks for”

It’s propaganda

Russian FM Lavrov says that government of Ukraine after 2014 is not representing all people living in Ukraine

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: agreements with the authorities in Donetsk and Luhansk allow the deployment of Russian military bases there, but we are not planning to do so yet

Occupation authorities in parts of Luhansk region says Ukrainian troops should leave whole territory of Luhansk region of Ukraine voluntarily

Military convoy filmed in Belgorod region

New camp: Barvinok 50.20683, 37.78898. 10 kms from Ukraine Analysis based on high resolution imagery

Russian forces targeted apartment block in Schastia

Rosgvardiya’s troops were also seen yesterday (21.02) near Khoiniki

A column of the National Guard of Russia’s troops (Rosgvardiya) was seen yesterday (21.02) in Rechitsa district. The convoy included: armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, KamAZ trucks and “Tigr”

Military movement at Rozdolne in Crimea

Shelling targeting Novoluhanske

Joint Forces Operation: 84 ceasefire violations yesterday. 2 Ukrainian servicemen killed, 18 wounded

Sajid Javid tells @skynews this morning the “invasion of Ukraine has begun” as the PM chairs an emergency COBR meeting to authorise a package of sanctions on Russia. Health Sec says PM will make statement to parliament later

2/22/22-Buffalo FD Working Fire at 67 Ruspin Avenue

EU to impose sanctions on individuals connected to the recognition of the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, writes EU press service

Russian stocks fall more than 8% at opening amid Ukraine tensions

Occupation authorities in parts of Donetsk region accused saboteur group in explosion of vehicle on highway between Horlivka and Donetsk, which result in 3 deaths

Poland’s minister of defense @mblaszczak: we can confirm that Russian forces entered the territory of so-called ‘republics’. So they violated Ukraine’s borders

Secretary Antony Blinken:I spoke with People’s Republic of China State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. I underscored the need to preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity

Secretary of State Tony Blinken spoke with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi about developments in North Korea and “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” according to a very brief readout from the State Department

Russia has thrown out the diplomatic playbook for peace in Ukraine with recognition of breakaway regions, top U.S. diplomat to United Nations tells Security Council. “Today, President Putin has torn the Minsk agreements to shreds,” Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said

U.S. believes a further Russian invasion of Ukraine will create a refugee crisis across Europe with “millions of displaced people.” U.S. envoy to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield tells Security Council (chaired by Russia) that Putin is “testing our international system”

United States envoy: Putin tests the international system and reduces the value of the United Nations

“In essence Putin wants the world to travel back in time.when empires ruled the world..It’s not 1919, it’s 2022,” @USAmbUN tells the emergency session of the UN Security Council. “The consequences of Russia’s actions will be dire

“Not true,” as Putin claimed Monday, that Ukraine is seeking nuclear weapons from the West, states @USAmbUN

The envoy of the United States: Russia has deployed forces in Ukraine, which it calls “peace forces”, which is an incorrect description

UN Under-Secretary-General: We regret the deployment of Russian forces in eastern Ukraine

The UN Security Council holds a session on the developments of Ukraine-Russia crisis

Sec Blinken: “For security reasons, Department of State personnel currently in Lviv will spend the night in Poland. Our personnel will regularly return to continue their diplomatic work in Ukraine and provide emergency consular services”

WH spokesperson: “We plan to announce new sanctions on Russia tomorrow (Tuesday) in response to Moscow’s decisions and actions today. We are coordinating with allies and partners on that announcement

All State Dept personnel are out of Ukraine now, relocated to a hotel in Poland. The US alerted high-ranking Ukrainian officials beforehand. They also notified other allies, but unclear if those embassies electing to follow suit

On today’s Sentinel-1 pass (21 Feb), the line likely to be a convoy is larger and closer to the Ukraine border. The pontoon bridge is still in place on the Belarus side. The southern end of the “convoy” is 0.3 mi (0.48km) from the border

Ukraine’s foreign minister says he will meet Blinken in D.C. tomorrow

Zelensky: In accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, Ukraine reserves the right for individual and collective self-defense. We can distinguish between the provocations and the offensive of the aggressor’s troops

Zelensky: It undermines peaceful efforts and destroys existing negotiation formats. With today’s and, possibly, tomorrow’s decisions, Russia is legalizing its troops, which have actually been in the occupied territories of Donbas since 2014

President Zelensky: All responsibility for these decisions are made by Russia’s political leadership. Recognition of the independence of the occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions mean Russia’s unilateral withdrawal from the Minsk agreements, and them ignoring decisions within Normandy format

Zelensky in an address to Ukrainian people: Ukraine is within its internationally recognized borders, and will remain so. Despite any statements and actions of the Russian Federation. We remain calm and confident. I want to thank all our citizens for this

President Zelensky: After the NSDC meeting, discussed the current situation with @BorisJohnson. Now we are urgently preparing an address and after that, talks with @eucopresident and @RTErdogan are planned

Videos spread of Russian forces entering eastern Ukraine

Here’s the readout of the @POTUS call with @ZelenskyyUa

Poland’s President @andrzejduda: – Russia undermines the order of Europe – need for great unity and a firm attitude by NATO, the EU and the countries of our region. Only a tough stance and political defense of Ukraine can stop the aggressor – Sanctions immediately

Secretary Blinken: Kremlin recognition of the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” as “independent” requires a swift and firm response, and we will take appropriate steps in coordination with partners