21 February 2023

February 2023 in brief

A year into the war UNHCR said more than 13 million people remained uprooted, including nearly 8 million refugees recorded across Europe and over 5 million displaced inside Ukraine. ^[1] The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission had verified 8,006 civilians killed and 13,287 injured since the invasion by mid-February, which it called a minimum. ^[1][2] A missile hit an apartment block in Kramatorsk, killing three people and injuring 21 according to Donetsk oblast police, and an attack of at least 70 missiles hit power plants in six regions, forcing emergency shutdowns; Moldova said a missile crossed its airspace. ^[1][2] WHO recorded attacks on health care including a health facility and health transport in Orikhovo-Vasylivka. ^[1] A Russian offensive on Vuhledar stalled after about two weeks of failed attempts to take the town, the DFRLab said. ^[1] President Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv and announced about $500m in aid, and Putin suspended Russia's participation in the New START treaty, accusing the West of involvement in attempts to attack Russian strategic air bases. ^[1][2] On the anniversary the UN General Assembly voted 141 to 7 to demand Russia's withdrawal, China published a 12-point paper calling for a ceasefire and talks, and the US imposed a 200% tariff on Russian aluminium. ^[1][2][3]

Written from the records it cites; every figure appears in a cited record.