Ukraine war updates: Putin claims Russia has no interest in wider war; UAE mediates prisoner exchange

Ukraine accuses Russia of intensifying chemical attacks on the battlefield

Ukraine accused Russia on Friday of using toxic chemicals in more than 200 attacks on the battlefield in January alone, a sharp increase in what it said were recorded instances of their use by Russian forces since they invaded two years ago.

Russia has denied allegations of using chemical weapons in Ukraine and has accused Ukrainian forces of their use, which Kyiv denies. Neither side has produced evidence and Reuters has not been able to verify any use by either side.

Ukraine has previously accused Moscow of using chloropicrin, which was used as poison gas in World War I. The latest statement by Ukraine’s General Staff singled out CS, or tear gas, which it said Russia had used in various grenades.

CS gas, widely used by police forces, is banned on the battlefield by the international Chemical Weapons Convention, which states in Article 1: “Each State Party undertakes not to use riot control agents as a method of warfare.”

The Ukrainian general staff said: “815 cases of the use of ammunition loaded with toxic chemicals by the Russian Federation were recorded. Of these, only in January 2024 – 229 cases.” It did not name any other chemicals in its statement on the Telegram messenger app.

General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the “Tavria” operational grouping based in the south east, said separately on Telegram that enemy troops deliver chemical-loaded ammunition with drones. He mentioned chloropicrin in reference to chemicals he said had been used on Thursday.

A year ago, Russia accused Ukrainian forces of using unspecified chemical weapons in drones in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine.

— Reuters

Ukraine inflation slows to annual 4.7% in January

Ukrainian consumer price inflation slowed to an annual rate of 4.7% in January and 0.4% month-on-month, the country’s statistics service announced Friday.

Headline inflation has been moderating over the past year, having peaked at 26.6% following Russia’s invasion in 2022. Ukraine’s central bank expects it to remain within its 5% target over the next few months before spiking again in the second half of the year to finish 2024 at around 8.6%.

– Elliot Smith

Russian metals giant Nornickel posts 51% profit plunge

A general view shows Zapolyarny mine of Medvezhy Ruchey enterprise, which is a subsidiary of the world’s leading nickel and palladium producer Nornickel, in the Arctic city of Norilsk, Russia August 24, 2021.

Tatyana Makeyeva | Russia

Russian metals company Nornickel on Friday reported a 51% slide in annual net profit for 2023 to $2.9 billion on the back of falling revenues, amid price increases for copper, nickel, palladium and rhodium.

The world’s largest palladium producer said that performance was dented by geopolitical developments, though it has thus far avoided any direct sanctions from Western governments in relation to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

– Elliot Smith

New Ukrainian army boss says tech innovation key to war effort

Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, awards Ukrainian fighters of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss” in the Soledar direction on July 2, 2023 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. 

Yuriy Mate | Future Publishing | Getty Images

The new head of Ukraine’s armed forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, said on Friday that Ukraine’s success in the war against Russia would depend on constant innovation in battlefield technologies, such as drones and electronic radio systems.

“Only changes and constant improvement of the means and methods of warfare will make it possible to achieve success on this path,” Syrsky said on the Telegram messaging app, according to a Google translation.

“Thank you to the former leaders of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and veterans who, during the 10 years of the Russian-Ukrainian war, made all possible efforts to restore and acquire the capabilities of the Ukrainian army – the real, solid foundation of our statehood.”

– Elliot Smith

Zelenskyy takes one of his ‘biggest gambles’ yet

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends flag hoisting ceremony in Izium after the Ukrainian forces took control of the city from the Russian forces in Kharkiv, Ukraine on September 14, 2022.  Commander of the Ukrainian Land Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Governor of the Military Administration of the Kharkiv Region Oleg Sinegubov also attended the ceremony.

Metin Atkas | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Analysts believe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to replace his top military commander is likely to be an unpopular move — and represents one of his “biggest gambles” of the entire war.

Zelenskyy on Thursday removed Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhnyi as head of Ukraine’s armed forces and replaced him with Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi. The dramatic shake-up marks the most significant change to Ukraine’s military leadership since Russia launched its full-scale invasion nearly two years ago.

“Zaluzhnyi’s dismissal is widely perceived as an attempt by Zelensky to sideline a potential political competitor,” Andrius Tursa, Central & Eastern Europe Advisor at consultancy firm Teneo, said Friday in a research note.

“This suggests a prioritization of his own political goals over the country’s wider interests at this difficult phase of the war.”

Read the full story here.

— Sam Meredith

Kremlin accuses Ukraine of causing civilian casualties after HRW report on Mariupol death toll

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday accused Ukrainian forces of being responsible for many civilian deaths in the besieged city of Mariupol, according to Reuters.

However, he reportedly admitted on a call with journalists that Moscow had not yet reviewed a new report published by Human Rights Watch detailing the devastation inflicted in the southeastern Ukrainian city.

The report said at least 8,000 people had been killed by fighting or war-related causes during Russia’s multi-month siege on the city in early 2022, one of the most intense battles of the almost two-year conflict.

– Elliot Smith

Putin claims Russia has no intention of expanding war to Poland, Latvia

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board at the National Defence Control Centre in Moscow, Russia December 19, 2023. 

Mikhail Klimentyev | Sputnik | Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed Moscow has no interest in expanding the war beyond Ukraine to the likes of Poland and Latvia.

Putin made the comments in a two-hour interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and spoke in Russian, with Carlson’s team providing the dubbed translation. It was his first interview with an American media outlet since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago.

In the translated recording, Putin says he could only imagine a scenario in which Russia would send troops into Poland, a NATO member, if “Poland attacks Russia.”

“Why? Because we have no interest in Poland, Latvia or anywhere else. Why would we do that? We simply don’t have any interest,” he added, according to the translation.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul noted on the X social media platform that “Putin said the same thing about Crimea in 2008, right after he had invaded Georgia.”

Russia went on to invade Crimea in 2014.

The Russian leader also claimed Russia was ready for “dialogue” with Ukraine and the West over how to end the war, and for the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia for almost a year while awaiting trial on spying charges, which the U.S. claims are fabricated.

The Kremlin said Putin only agreed to the interview because Carlson’s views differed from other major media outlets, in that he has been a vocal critic of U.S. support for Ukraine and consistently repeated falsehoods, misinformation and conspiracy theories.

CNBC has not been provided any details about the circumstances under which the interview was recorded.

— Elliot Smith

UAE brokers swap of 100 war prisoners between Russia and Ukraine

Released Ukrainian servicemen who return to home with bus, pose for a photo with Ukrainian flags in front of the bus as Russia and Ukraine exchanged 100 prisoners of war from each side Thursday through mediation by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to the Russian Defense Ministry in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 08, 2024. 

Ukrainian Presidency | Anadolu | Getty Images

The United Arab Emirates announced on Thursday that it mediated an exchange of 100 prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the transfer on the Telegram messaging app and noted that the UAE “provided humanitarian mediation,” while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed that the exchange had taken place.

Released Ukrainian servicemen who return to home with bus, pose for a photo with Ukrainian flags in front of the bus as Russia and Ukraine exchanged 100 prisoners of war from each side Thursday through mediation by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to the Russian Defense Ministry in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 08, 2024. 

Ukrainian Presidency | Anadolu | Getty Images

The UAE Foreign Ministry said “the success of the mediation, which is the third since the beginning of this year, is a reflection of the continuity, moderation and wisdom of the UAE’s relationships with countries.”

“These relations are leveraged to find common ground for resolving regional and international challenges and disputes, contributing to the continued success of diplomatic efforts,” it added.

Released Ukrainian servicemen who return to home with bus, pose for a photo with Ukrainian flags in front of the bus as Russia and Ukraine exchanged 100 prisoners of war from each side Thursday through mediation by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to the Russian Defense Ministry in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 08, 2024. 

Ukrainian Presidency | Anadolu | Getty Images

Ukraine claims it shot down 10 of 16 Russian drones overnight

Ukraine’s military said it shot down 10 of 16 Russian drones launched into Ukrainian territory overnight.

Those that got through inflicted damage on “exclusively civilian infrastructure” in the eastern Kharkiv region and injured one person, the air force said.

CNBC could not independently verify the claim.

— Elliot Smith

Thu, Feb 8 202411:54 AM EST

Zelenskyy appoints new army chief

Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, awards Ukrainian fighters of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss” in the Soledar direction on July 2, 2023 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. 

Yuriy Mate | Getty Images News | Getty Images

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new top team for the Ukrainian Armed forces Thursday, writing in a post on Telegram.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi was named as the new commander-in-chief.

See the full post below translated by NBC News:

I am grateful to General Zaluzhnyy for two years of defense. I am thankful for every victory we have achieved together and thanks to all Ukrainian soldiers who heroically bear this war on themselves. We openly discussed today what changes are needed in the army. Urgent changes. I proposed to General Zaluzhny to continue together in the team of the Ukrainian state. I will be grateful for his consent.

Starting today, a new management team is taking over the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I want the vision of the war to be unified among our soldiers in Robotyne or Avdiivka, as well as in the General Staff and at the Headquarters. I have had dozens of conversations with commanders of various levels. In particular, today I spoke with Brigadier Generals Andriy Hnatov, Mykhailo Drapaty, Ihor Skybiuk, and Colonels Pavlo Palysia and Vadym Sukharevskyy. They are all considered for leadership positions in the army and will serve under the leadership of the most experienced Ukrainian commander. He has successful experience in defense – he led the Kyiv Defense Operation. He also has successful experience in offense – the Kharkiv Liberation Operation. I have appointed Lieutenant General Syrskyy as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Today, I also spoke with Generals Moisyuk and Zabrodskyy. Their experience is in service to the state.

2024 can be successful for Ukraine only if effective changes are made in the foundation of our defense, which is the Armed Forces of Ukraine

-Matt Clinch

Thu, Feb 8 202411:32 AM EST

Zelenskyy says changes in the military are needed

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi holds a press conference in Kyiv. 

Kaniuka Ruslan | Future Publishing | Getty Images

Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to X Thursday to say he had asked his Army Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi to stay as part of his leadership team.

He added that both had agreed that changes in the military were needed.

See the full post below translated by NBC News:

I met with General Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

I thanked him for the two years of defending Ukraine.

We discussed the renewal that the Armed Forces of Ukraine require.

We also discussed who could be part of the renewed leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The time for such a renewal is now.

I proposed to General Zaluzhnyi to remain part of the team.

We will definitely win!

Glory to Ukraine!

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks with CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 16th, 2024.

Adam Galici | CNBC

Thu, Feb 8 202410:33 AM EST

US Senate to vote on $95 billion Ukraine, Israel aid bill after failed border deal

The U.S. Senate was due to vote on Thursday on a $95.34 billion bill that includes aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific, after Republicans blocked compromise legislation that also included a long-sought overhaul of immigration policy.

Democrats and Republicans spent hours discussing next steps on Wednesday after the broader effort failed, until Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sent lawmakers home with plans to consider on Thursday a revised package that strips out the immigration provisions but leaves the foreign aid intact.

“We will be coming back tomorrow at noon and, hopefully, that will give the Republicans the time they need,” Schumer said on Wednesday. “We will have this vote.”

The security aid bill includes $61 billion for Ukraine as it battles a Russian invasion, $14 billion for Israel in its war against Hamas and $4.83 billion to support partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, and deteraggression by China.

Supporters of Ukraine have been struggling for much of the year to find a way to send more money to help Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s government. While lawmakers have approved more than $110 billion for Ukraine since the invasion began in February 2022, Congress has not passed any major aidfor Kyiv since Republicans took control of the House of Representatives in January 2023.

It’s unclear whether the new bill would win the support of House Republicans.

— Reuters

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