Here are the key developments on day 1,101 of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Here is the situation on Saturday, March 1:
Fighting
- Drone attack in Odesa’s Black Sea port killed one and injured another, targeting a private home and a business facility.
Ukrainian air defenses destroyed 103 of 154 drones launched by Russia, with 51 drones “locally lost” due to electronic jamming.
- Russian drones struck a medical facility and other targets in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, injuring between five to seven people.
- Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov reported civilian areas in three central districts hit, with at least 50 people evacuated from a medical facility.
- Ukraine claims that Russian infantry are storming the Ukrainian border from Russia’s Kursk region, near areas controlled by Ukrainian forces, but the momentary containment of the effort.
Politics and diplomacy
- Meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy escalated into a confrontation, with Trump telling Zelenskyy: “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out.”
- World leaders expressed support for Zelenskyy after his meeting with Trump, which ended in a heated argument over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Zelenskyy to apologize for the clash and accused him of wasting time with a meeting that ended poorly.
- Zelenskyy stated his relations with the US can be repaired after Trump’s outburst and accusations of not making peace with Russia.
- Trump claimed Zelenskyy “overplayed his hand” during their dispute, accusing him of wanting to prolong conflict with Russia and saying he wants a ceasefire immediately.
- Russia appointed Alexander DarchiyEv as the new ambassador to Washington, indicating an attempt to improve relations and end the Ukraine conflict.
- The International Monetary Fund agreed on a loan program review with Ukraine to unlock approximately $400 million in funding.
- Preparations are underway for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to meet with European leaders, including Zelenskyy, to further address Ukraine and security concerns.
