Spanish Prime Minister's visit to Kyiv, demining vehicles from Finland, UAVs from Australia: today's highlights

Australia will provide Ukraine with drones

Australia has decided to send reconnaissance drones to Ukraine and expand sanctions against Russian government officials, military, and media. Patriarch Kirill is also on the list. This was reported by The Guardian with reference to the Australian government.

It is noted that unmanned aerial systems worth $33 million do not have weapons but can help the Ukrainian armed forces control the movement of Russian troops. The Australian government assures that these drones will provide operational intelligence on the battlefield. The number and type of drones are not specified.

At the same time, the sanctions package includes a travel ban and asset freeze for another 90 Russians and 40 companies. The Australian government notes that the restrictions will be aimed in particular at “those who spread lies to justify this war”.

The Prime Minister of Spain arrived in Kyiv

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez arrived in Kyiv on the morning of February 23. He announced this on Twitter.

“I am returning to Kyiv today. We will be with Ukraine and its people until peace returns to Europe,” the prime minister wrote.

The day before, Spanish media reported that this unannounced trip was kept in strict secrecy for security reasons.

Spain is ready to provide Ukraine with 10 Leopard 2 tanks instead of six

Spain is ready to increase the number of Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine from six to ten. This was announced at a press conference by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

“Today I have received assurances that Spain will provide us with Leopards. The Ukrainian military is already learning how to operate these tanks in Spain,” Zelenskyy said.

He also expects that cooperation between the two countries “will be supplemented by other solutions” that will allow for the speedy liberation of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. However, Zelenskyy did not specify what decisions he was talking about. In recent weeks, Ukraine has been actively raising the issue of the transfer of Western fighter jets.

Sánchez confirmed that Spain will provide six Leopard A4 tanks. “In the coming weeks and months, we will raise this number to 10,” the prime minister said.

Finland will provide Ukraine with three Leopard 2R demining vehicles

Finland has announced that it will donate three Leopard 2R demining vehicles to Ukraine. The country will also teach Ukrainians how to use and maintain this equipment. This is stated on the website and Twitter page of the Finnish Ministry of Defense.

Finland will provide the Leopard 2R demining vehicles to Ukraine as part of its thirteenth military assistance package, which is worth more than 160 million euros. In total, the country has already provided military aid to Ukraine worth 750 million euros.

Budanov's message was broadcast on the radio in Crimea

In several districts of the occupied Crimea, local radio stations broadcast the anthem of Ukraine, as well as an address by the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense Kyrylo Budanov. This was reported by the Crimean Wind channel.

Instead of the usual editorial programs, the Sputnik in Crimea and Vera radio stations aired a recorded message from Budanov in Russian: “Citizens of Ukraine, this is Kyrylo Budanov speaking to you. Ukraine is returning all the seized territories. Donbas, Crimea, and the entire south of Ukraine will return home forever. We will find every traitor wherever they are hiding. All of them will be eliminated. To all patriots, the time to act has come. Wait, we are coming to you. Glory to Ukraine!"

Russian Su-25 attack aircraft crashes in Belgorod region

A Russian Su-25 attack aircraft crashed in the Belgorod region of Russia while returning to the airfield from a combat mission. Its pilot ejected but was killed. This was reported by the governor of the Belgorod region Vyacheslav Gladkov, RIA Novosti and TASS.