10th sanction package from European Commission, shelling of Pokrovsk, Russian balloons over Kyiv: today's highlights

Supreme Court confirms the legality of PrivatBank nationalization

The Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court of Ukraine has confirmed the impossibility of returning the state-owned PrivatBank to its former owners, the Supreme Court and the National Bank of Ukraine reported.

The Supreme Court confirmed the legality of the closure of proceedings in the case on the claim of shareholder and former chairman of the board of PrivatBank Oleksandr Dubilet about the purchase of shares in the insolvent bank.

National Bank Governor Andrii Pyshnyy welcomed the decision and said it would also resolve more than 40 other similar disputes and make it impossible to return the state-owned bank's shares to their former owners.

Ukraine needs several months to prepare for the de-occupation of territories

The Ukrainian army needs several months to fully prepare for the liberation of the occupied territories of Ukraine. This was stated by Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov in an interview with Ukrinform.

He said that all the possibilities of supplying equipment to Ukraine are tied primarily to the training period of the Ukrainian military. However, it is not only about training the crews, but also about practicing their interaction as part of a unit.

“Because their task is to fulfill the mission planned by the Ukrainian General Staff. And this task is primarily aimed at de-occupying the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. This will take time. We are talking about several months when we will be fully prepared. And then, according to the decision of the General Staff, certain events will take place,” Reznikov explained.

Russian balloons with corner reflectors spotted over Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast

On February 15, Russian balloons with angular reflectors were spotted in the sky over Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast. This led to an air raid alert. Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat announced the discovery of the balloons over Kyiv Oblast on the air of the telethon.

The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that, according to preliminary information, six Russian air targets were detected over the capital. It looks like they were balloons.

According to the Kyiv City Military Administration, these objects could have been carrying corner reflectors and some intelligence equipment. All targets were fired upon by air defense systems. Most of them were shot down. The purpose of launching the bullets could have been to detect and deplete our air defense, the Kyiv city administration said.

Ihnat added that the ballon does not pose a threat to people during its flight, but since Ukrainian aviation is trying to shoot it down, fragments may fall to the ground. Ihnat said that the use of such balloons by the Russians is an “old-fashioned method”.

European Commission officially proposes 10th package of sanctions against Russia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has presented the tenth package of sanctions against Russia. She says that the restrictions will apply to the most important technologies and industrial goods worth more than 11 billion euros. This is stated on the website of the European Commission.

The EU countries are invited to approve such sanctions:

• additional export bans worth more than 11 billion euros to deprive Russia of crucial technologies and industrial goods;
• tighter restrictions on exports of dual-use and high-tech goods to Russia;
• sanctions against Russian propagandists and additional military and political officials.

The European Commission is also proposing for the first time to ban companies from third countries from supplying Russia with dual-use goods. Seven Iranian organizations are to be placed under such sanctions, but von der Leyen warns that this list could be expanded.

She also added that the EU will keep an eye on oligarchs trying to hide or sell their assets to avoid sanctions. The EU will also review all frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank that are kept in the EU.

Russia shelled a high-rise building in Pokrovsk

On the morning of February 15, Russian occupation forces shelled Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast. This was reported by Pavlo Kyrylenko, the head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration.

According to preliminary information, the occupants attacked Pokrovsk with missiles. The attack damaged a multi-story building in the city. Kyrylenko said that at least 12 people were injured as a result. At least two more people are under the rubble. According to preliminary data, the Russians fired from Smerch multiple rocket launchers. An operational headquarters to help the victims was deployed in the city.

Residents whose apartments were destroyed by the shelling are promised temporary housing, clothing, food, and other necessities. In addition, specialists are providing psychological and medical assistance to all those who need it.