Kyiv voices support for US-led strikes on Iran

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its support for U.S.-led strikes against Iran, saying Tehran “had every opportunity to prevent a violent scenario.” The U.S. and Israel carried out overnight strikes, with U.S. President Donald Trump calling for regime change. Iran has since launched retaliatory attacks against neighboring countries hosting American military bases.

Kyiv said the escalation stems from the Iranian regime’s “violence and arbitrariness,” including crackdowns on protesters. At the same time, Ukraine drew a clear distinction between Iran’s leadership and its people, voicing support for “the Iranian people and their legitimate desire to live in security, freedom and prosperity.”

The ministry also cited Iran’s supply of Shahed drones to Russia, noting they have been used in thousands of attacks on Ukrainian cities since 2022. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has deployed more than 57,000 Shahed-type drones during the full-scale war, calling it fair to give Iranians a chance to “rid themselves of a terrorist regime,” while cautioning against a broader regional conflict.

Russia condemns US attack on its ally Iran. Calls it as unprovoked act of aggression

As Russia continues its full-scale war against Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry condemned U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, urging an immediate return to “political and diplomatic settlement.” In a statement, Moscow accused Washington and Jerusalem of pushing the region toward a potential “humanitarian, economic, and possibly even radiological disaster.” Iran has reportedly launched retaliatory attacks on areas hosting U.S. military bases across the Middle East.

Russia called on the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency to deliver what it described as an “objective and uncompromising assessment” of the strikes. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, and suggested Moscow could act as a mediator — even as Russian forces continue missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, and press offensive operations along the front line.

Moscow labeled the strikes on Iran a “premeditated and unprovoked act of armed aggression.” The comments come as Russia and Iran deepen military ties. Tehran has supplied drones used in attacks on Ukraine, and the two countries recently held joint naval drills.

The Financial Times reported that Iran signed a secret 500 million euro ($589 million) deal with Russia for advanced shoulder-fired missiles, citing leaked documents and sources familiar with the agreement.

Russia struck Ukrainian gas production facility in Kharkiv Oblast

Russia struck a gas production facility owned by the Naftogaz Group, Ukraine’s state-run oil and gas company, in Kharkiv Oblast overnight on Feb. 27–28, according to Serhii Koretskyi, the company’s chairman.

The attack caused severe damage to equipment and led to depressurization at the site. Emergency crews from Naftogaz and Ukraine’s State Emergency Service quickly contained the situation, Koretskyi said.

Response teams remain on the ground, and the company is coordinating with relevant authorities to manage the aftermath.

Russia plans to exit talks if Ukraine does not agree to give up Donbas - Bloomberg

Russia is likely to walk away from U.S.-mediated peace talks if Ukraine refuses to withdraw its troops from all of Donbas, Bloomberg reported on February 28, citing sources close to the Kremlin.

According to the report, upcoming talks next week are seen by Moscow as decisive. Russian officials believe there is little point in continuing negotiations if President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not agree to territorial concessions.

Two sources said Russia is prepared to sign a draft peace memorandum if Ukraine pulls its forces out of Donetsk Oblast. That could pave the way for a trilateral meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy, and Russian President Vladimir Putin to finalize the deal.

One source claimed Moscow would withdraw from occupied parts of Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts and would not pursue additional claims in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Russia would also accept U.S.-led monitoring of a ceasefire and drop demands to limit the size of Ukraine’s armed forces, but would reject the presence of foreign troops in Ukraine.

The reported framework resembles proposals previously discussed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff ahead of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. Sources said Witkoff indicated Washington could pressure Kyiv to cede Donbas if Russia agreed to freeze the war along current front lines and abandon claims to Ukrainian-controlled areas of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts.