MILITARY SITUATION. As of 19:00 Brussels time
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal: Chornobyl exclusion zone is under Russia’s military control.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=256174606699829
17:20 CET
The enemy continues to act aggressively along the entire line of the common border. Using the airfields of Belarus, Russian armed forces performs demonstration activities along the northern part of the Ukraine`s state border.
In the Sivers’kyi region, the enemy was stopped on the Uzh River near the Velyki Osnyaky and Rivnopillya (Chernihiv region). The tank battle continues. Units of the First separate tank brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stopped columns of enemy armoured vehicles near Baturyn and on the outskirts of Chernihiv.
The enemy attempted to land a tactical landing troops along the Kyiv reservoir (to the north of the capital).
20 helicopters KA-52 and Mi-8 of the Russian Federation landed at Gostomel airfield. The battle continues (Kyiv region).
The National Guard of Ukraine is fighting near the city of Pripyat (close to Chernobyl zone).
The enemy landed a tactical landing troops in the Bessarabian and Tavriya operational areas (Odesa region).
After an unsuccessful landing attempt and an unsuccessful missile strike, the enemy missile cruiser “Moscow” started shelling Snake Island (Black Sea).
The mixed column of vehicles up to 300 units approached the settlement of Konotop. Mechanized units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine entered the battle. Enemy troops have been stopped in the areas of Gremyach and Krolevets (Sumy region).
In the Donetsk operational area Armed Forces of Ukraine restored position along all contact line. The battle continues in Mariupol area (Donetsk Region).
The forces of the «South» group of Armed Forces organized the defence of Melitopol and conducted a defence operation on the border of the settlements of Abrikosivka, Rykove, Azov (Kherson region).
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Russian occupiers, having encountered total opposition from Ukrainian defenders, surrender. A whole reconnaissance platoon of the 74th Motorized Rifle Brigade surrendered near Chernihiv. Sergeant Buinichev Konstantin Sergeevich. 74th Motorized Rifle Brigade, Kemerovo Region, Russia. They studied in Yelnya, learned about the attack on Ukraine yesterday, and thought they would return home.
16:39 CET
Combat actions continue throughout Ukraine. Severe fight takes place near Chernobyl. Totally, 6 bridges are damaged in Ukraine due to military operations.
Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
17:33 CET
The police, together with volunteers, are stepping up security to provide security in the regions.
Employees of all structural subdivisions, as well as veterans of internal affairs and volunteers are involved in patrolling settlements.
Law enforcement officers are also on duty at checkpoints, inspecting documents and inspecting vehicles, assisting drivers on the roads and explaining to the citizens how to act in the event of shelling.
16:55 CET
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine informs that police officers, along with volunteers, are intensively protecting law and order in the regions. Employees of all structural units, as well as veterans of the internal affairs and volunteers, are involved in patrolling settlements.
Law enforcement officers are also serving at checkpoints, conducting document checks and searching vehicles, helping drivers on the roads and explaining to citizens the procedure to be followed in case of shelling.
https://www.facebook.com/UA.National.Police/posts/278081371128567
MFA of Ukraine
Dmytro Kuleba and Josep Borrell coordinated further steps of Ukraine and the EU to stop Russian aggression
The head of Ukrainian diplomacy called on the EU to immediately apply severe sanctions on Moscow to stop the invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine.
HR/VP Josep Borrell assured that tough EU sanctions on Russia will be imposed within 24 hours.
Dmytro Kuleba also called on the high-ranking EU official to provide Ukraine with European perspective.
Gas TSO of Ukraine
17:19 CET
As of 18.00 on February 24, Gas TSO of Ukraine continues to perform its functions of natural gas transmission to consumers. Due to military operations in the areas where the company’s facilities are located, GTSOU is operating in the mode with maximum security measures. There are no victims or injured among employees of the company. Given the possible changes in the situation, we are planning additional measures to keep employees of facilities in the high-risk area safe.
Gas TSO of Ukraine continues to reliably balance the system by promptly fulfilling the requests of customers of transmission services, which change due to the hostilities.
Today, due to the threat of fire as a result of shelling and at the request of gas distribution network operators, Gas TSO of Ukraine was forced to suspend the operation of two gas distribution stations (GDS) in the collision zones in Luhansk and Kharkiv regions. This, accordingly, led to the disconnection of consumers that receive gas through these GDSs. As soon as the threat passes, the gas supply will be promptly resumed.
Also during the day several GDSs were temporarily de-energized as a result of damaged power grids in Kherson, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions and therefore backup power supply facilities were used.
Despite the emergency conditions, the company continues to work in the normal mode. Our task is to provide the country with the necessary fuel, and we are doing everything we can to ensure it.
https://www.facebook.com/2265971280162696/posts/4842591902500608/?d=n
Minister for energy of Ukraine Yaroslav Demchenkov
16:47 CET
In his comment to Radio Svoboda, Minister for Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko assured that the Ukrainian energy system operates autonomously and steadily.
“The power system works reliably. Nuclear generation is working as planned (13 out of 15 NPP units are operational). Heat and hydro generation also work full-time».
https://www.facebook.com/100064438669026/posts/318394040318549/?d=n
Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine
17:12 CET
The Ministry of Social Policy together with the National Social Service and the Pension Fund of Ukraine have established a coordination headquarters to ensure the stability and smooth operation of social protection in martial law.
Alternative ways of paying pensions and social benefits in case of failures in the work of a banking institution, as well as for internally displaced persons who receive a pension through a postal operator. They will ensure uninterrupted payment of pensions and social benefits.
State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine
16:47 CET
There will be a curfew in Ukrainian cities: Kyiv (from 22:00 to 7:00), Cherkasy region, Dnipro and Mykolayiv (from 22:00 to 06:00).
https://www.facebook.com/dsszzi/posts/262319182745892
State Service of Ukraine for Transport Safety
18:00 CET
Operating transport permitting point Kovel will be open until 20:00 today. Tomorrow from 8:00 it will work as usual. Take this information into account when planning transportation.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=323588983148403&set=a.295451709295464