Ahead of Ukraine war completing its one year, US President Joe Biden delivered an impassioned speech from Polish capital, Warsaw. Biden's speech came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual state of the nation address. Meanwhile, Kyiv says Russian rocket attack took place in Kherson as Putin delivered speech.

Kyiv: Russian rocket attack in Kherson as Putin delivers speech

Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, all does not seem well between the Wagner group and Russia. Wagner group head accuses Russian command of treason. Watch the video for more details.

Wagner group head accuses Russian command of treason

WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis and brings you a quick round-up of all the top headlines and breakings from all across the world.

WION Speed News | Putin accuses west of stoking a global war

President Vladimir Putin will update Russia's elite on the war in Ukraine on Tuesday, nearly one year to the day since ordering an invasion that has triggered the biggest confrontation with the West since the depths of the Cold War.

Vladimir Putin's 'Big Brother' speech

#Gravitas | Is the Ukraine war set to escalate further? In his state of the nation address, Putin warned Western leaders that 'Russia cannot be defeated'. How do we view this warning? @mollygambhir reports.

Gravitas: Putin's biggest warning to the West

China's top diplomat Wang Yi said that China's ties with Russia are 'rock solid'. Currently, Wang Yi met the Russian Security Chief Nikolai Patrushev and said that Russia-China ties will withstand any test in a changing international situation.

China's top Diplomat Wang Yi meets Russian Security Chief Nikolai Patrushev

The whole world was surprised and shocked to see U.S. President Joe Biden standing on Ukrainian soil. The White House alerted Russia about Biden's visit just hours before. It was supposed to be a show of solidarity between U.S. and Ukraine but Biden’s unannounced Ukraine trip can backfire badly than anyone imagined...especially on Ukraine. Watch Game Plan with Shivan Chanana

Biden’s five hours in Kyiv could spell disaster for Ukraine | WION Game Plan

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his long-delayed state-of-the-nation address, saying that the West cynically cheated its people. Putin alleged that Kyiv held talks with the West for supply of weapons before Russia's military operation in 2022.

Russia-Ukraine war | Putin: Not a war with people of Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in a strong-worded speech against West announced that Moscow was suspending the major remaining nuclear arms control treaty, called the New START treaty, with the US. Meanwhile, Wang Yi China's top diplomat is visting Moscow, a visit that coincides one year of Russia's war on Ukraine. Amoung other news, another earthquake of 6.3 magnitude hit Turkey on Monday, killing at least 6 people.&nbsp;

Click on the headlines to read more.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-announces-suspension-of-nuke-arms-control-treaty-with-us-564382">Russian President Vladimir Putin announces suspension of nuke arms control treaty with US</a>

 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/21/333956-putin-2.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday announced that Moscow was suspending the major remaining nuclear arms control treaty, called the New START treaty, with the US amidst tensions with Washington over the invasion of Ukraine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-top-diplomat-to-visit-russia-amid-beijings-call-to-end-ukraine-war-564123">China's top diplomat to visit Russia amid Beijing's call to end Ukraine war</a>

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Wang Yi, the top Beijing diplomat appointed Chinese leader Xi Jinping's top foreign policy adviser last month, is scheduled to visit Moscow this week. The visit coincides one year of Russia's initiation of 'special military operations' in Ukraine, which quickly amplified into a full-fledged war between the two sides. 
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-reported-trapped-under-rubble-after-another-earthquake-hits-turkey-3-dead-564129">Several reported trapped under rubble after another earthquake hits Turkey; 6 dead</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/21/333819-untitled-design-2023-02-21t085221023.png?imwidth=1920" />

Another earthquake in Turkey on Monday left people scrambling to seek shelter in safer places. The &nbsp;6.4-magnitude quake comes two weeks after a massive quake that killed over 47,000 people in Turkey and Syria. Another earthquake of magnitude 5.6 hit the region soon after. The new earthquake was centred near the southern Turkish city of Antakya and was also felt in Syria, Egypt and Lebanon. It struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles), the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italian-pm-giorgia-meloni-arrives-in-kyiv-by-train-from-poland-564369">Italian PM Giorgia Meloni arrives in Kyiv by train from Poland</a> 
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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/21/333949-untitled-design-2023-02-21t181840836.png?imwidth=1920" />

With just days to go in Russia-Ukraine one-year war anniversary, world leaders are visiting Kyiv in a show of their solidarity towards the war-torn country. A day after US President Joe Biden visited Kyiv on a surprise visit, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also touched down the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday, her spokesman told AFP news agency.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/air-india-on-a-hiring-spree-with-one-role-paying-as-much-as-rs-2-crore-564281">Air India on a hiring spree with one role paying as much as Rs 2 crore</a> 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/17/333060-a5l4gzqyqbphlo2hdjfz3qrg2m.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

Air India is preparing for the mega order that it has placed with Boeing and Airbus by hiring staff across ranks and roles. The airline placed an order for 470 aircraft few days back. Its current staff strength allows it to support just around 140 planes. According to Business Today, some of the positions come with a pay package of Rs two crore, the biggest of which is that of &nbsp;B777 Captains.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-to-hear-crucial-case-on-law-linked-to-future-of-internet-564345">US Supreme Court to hear case that could decide future of internet</a>

 
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A law that has protected big tech companies in the United States since 1996 from lawsuits over content posted on their platforms will be considered by the Supreme Court on Tuesday (February 21). The top court is set to hear a bid to weaken the legislation, which is linked to a case over November 2015 Paris attacks. The ruling - expected by June 30 - could have serious consequences vis a vis the future of the internet.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rushdie-now-no-more-than-living-dead-iran-to-reward-attacker-with-1000-square-metres-land-564269">'Salman Rushdie now no more than living dead': Iran to reward attacker with 1,000 square metres land</a> 
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An Iranian foundation has lauded the man who attacked writer Salman Rushdie last year, seriously injuring him, and announced that it will reward him with 1,000 square metres of agricultural land, according to state TV on Tuesday through its Telegram channel. After being attacked by a Shi'ite Muslim American from New Jersey, 24, on the stage of a literary event in western New York in August near Lake Erie, Rushdie, 75, lost an eye and the use of one hand, as reported by AFP.&nbsp; 
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/disappointing-to-see-venkatesh-prasad-blasts-aakash-chopra-for-calling-him-agenda-peddle-vs-kl-rahul-564407">'Disappointing to see...': Venkatesh Prasad blasts Aakash Chopra for calling him 'agenda peddle' vs KL Rahul</a> 
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KL Rahul's place in the Indian team has become a big talking point. While Rohit Sharma-led India are on a roll versus Australia and gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy following the Delhi Test, Rahul finds himself in a spot of bother owing to his poor run of form in whites. In the last 12 innings, he has only managed 198 runs. In addition, he has a total of 38 runs in the three outings in the ongoing series.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/shawn-mendes-opens-up-on-cancelling-his-tour-last-year-amid-mental-health-issues-564404">Shawn Mendes opens up on cancelling his tour last year amid mental health issues</a> 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/21/333969-horizons-41.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

Shawn Mendes had to cancel his tour last year to focus on his mental health. The hit singer is now reflecting on what he went through and why cancelling that tour was so important. “The process was very difficult. A lot of therapy, a lot of trying to understand how I was feeling and what was making me feel that way and then doing the work to help myself and heal. And also leaning on people in my life to help a little bit,” said Shawn.&nbsp; 
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jk-rowling-gets-second-apology-from-bbc-over-transphobic-views-564410">JK Rowling gets second apology from BBC over transphobic views</a> 
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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2018/09/11/6075-GettyImages-152849173-20160704070731.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

JK Rowling got an apology from BBC for the second time in a row in less than a month. This, after they accused the popular author of having transphobic views on a live current affairs show.&nbsp; 
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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in a strong-worded speech against West announced that Moscow was suspending the major remaining nuclear arms control treaty, called the New START treaty, with the US.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in a strong-worded speech against West announced that Moscow was suspending the major remaining nuclear arms control treaty, called the New START treaty, with the US. Meanwhile, Wang Yi China's top diplomat is visting Moscow, a visit that coincides one year of Russia's war on Ukraine. Amoung other news, another earthquake of 6.3 magnitude hit Turkey on Monday, killing at least 6 people. Click on the headlines to read more. Russian President Vladimir Putin announces suspension of nuke arms control treaty with US Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday announced that Moscow was suspending the major remaining nuclear arms control treaty, called the New START treaty, with the US amidst tensions with Washington over the invasion of Ukraine. China's top diplomat to visit Russia amid Beijing's call to end Ukraine war Wang Yi, the top Beijing diplomat appointed Chinese leader Xi Jinping's top foreign policy adviser last month, is scheduled to visit Moscow this week. The visit coincides one year of Russia's initiation of 'special military operations' in Ukraine, which quickly amplified into a full-fledged war between the two sides. Several reported trapped under rubble after another earthquake hits Turkey; 6 dead Another earthquake in Turkey on Monday left people scrambling to seek shelter in safer places. The 6.4-magnitude quake comes two weeks after a massive quake that killed over 47,000 people in Turkey and Syria. Another earthquake of magnitude 5.6 hit the region soon after. The new earthquake was centred near the southern Turkish city of Antakya and was also felt in Syria, Egypt and Lebanon. It struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles), the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. Italian PM Giorgia Meloni arrives in Kyiv by train from Poland With just days to go in Russia-Ukraine one-year war anniversary, world leaders are visiting Kyiv in a show of their solidarity towards the war-torn country. A day after US President Joe Biden visited Kyiv on a surprise visit, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also touched down the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday, her spokesman told AFP news agency. Air India on a hiring spree with one role paying as much as Rs 2 crore Air India is preparing for the mega order that it has placed with Boeing and Airbus by hiring staff across ranks and roles. The airline placed an order for 470 aircraft few days back. Its current staff strength allows it to support just around 140 planes. According to Business Today, some of the positions come with a pay package of Rs two crore, the biggest of which is that of B777 Captains. US Supreme Court to hear case that could decide future of internet A law that has protected big tech companies in the United States since 1996 from lawsuits over content posted on their platforms will be considered by the Supreme Court on Tuesday (February 21). The top court is set to hear a bid to weaken the legislation, which is linked to a case over November 2015 Paris attacks. The ruling - expected by June 30 - could have serious consequences vis a vis the future of the internet. 'Salman Rushdie now no more than living dead': Iran to reward attacker with 1,000 square metres land An Iranian foundation has lauded the man who attacked writer Salman Rushdie last year, seriously injuring him, and announced that it will reward him with 1,000 square metres of agricultural land, according to state TV on Tuesday through its Telegram channel. After being attacked by a Shi'ite Muslim American from New Jersey, 24, on the stage of a literary event in western New York in August near Lake Erie, Rushdie, 75, lost an eye and the use of one hand, as reported by AFP. 'Disappointing to see...': Venkatesh Prasad blasts Aakash Chopra for calling him 'agenda peddle' vs KL Rahul KL Rahul's place in the Indian team has become a big talking point. While Rohit Sharma-led India are on a roll versus Australia and gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy following the Delhi Test, Rahul finds himself in a spot of bother owing to his poor run of form in whites. In the last 12 innings, he has only managed 198 runs. In addition, he has a total of 38 runs in the three outings in the ongoing series. Shawn Mendes opens up on cancelling his tour last year amid mental health issues Shawn Mendes had to cancel his tour last year to focus on his mental health. The hit singer is now reflecting on what he went through and why cancelling that tour was so important. “The process was very difficult. A lot of therapy, a lot of trying to understand how I was feeling and what was making me feel that way and then doing the work to help myself and heal. And also leaning on people in my life to help a little bit,” said Shawn. JK Rowling gets second apology from BBC over transphobic views JK Rowling got an apology from BBC for the second time in a row in less than a month. This, after they accused the popular author of having transphobic views on a live current affairs show.

Top 10 world news: Putin suspends nuke arms control treaty with US, Wang Yi to visit Russia, and more

Russia's Putin blames West and Ukraine for provoking conflict

Vladimir Putin has said Russia will halt its participation in New Start, the last major remaining nuclear arms control treaty with the US, in a speech devoted to the one-year anniversary of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russia to halt participation in New Start nuclear arms treaty

Russia-Ukraine war : President Putin suspends nuclear treaty with U.S.

Russian President Putin is speaking in Moscow, delivering a state-of-the-nation address. In previous addresses, he has railed against NATO's perceived threat to Russia, and drawn on his country's history to buttress his rationale for launching the invasion, and sticking with it in the face of unexpected Ukrainian resistance.

Russian president Putin blames the West for escalation in Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine war | Putin: West hiding behind the veil of democracy

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (February 21) lashed out at the Church of England while he also stepped up the attack on the United States and other western nations as the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow, which he ordered on February 24, 2022, is set to complete one year. "The Church of England is considering a version of a 'gender-neutral' God. They don’t know what they’re doing," he said. Earlier this month, the centuries-old institution had said that it would look into the use of gender neutral terms to refer to God in prayers. In his latest remarks, the Russian President said that the western churches go against bible.

"Christians have recognised since ancient times that God is neither male nor female. Yet the variety of ways of addressing and describing God found in scripture has not always been reflected in our worship," a spokesperson for the Church said earlier this month, stressing that there were "absolutely no plans to abolish or substantially revise" authorised services. No changes would be introduced, the spokesperson added, without "extensive legislation". The Church of England has also come under attack from conservative over its decision to grant blessings to same-sex couples in civil marriages. 
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Questioning the observations by the institution, Putin said: “Their prime target is of course younger people and our young generation. And here, again, they lie constantly. They distort historical facts, they constantly attack our culture, the Russian Orthodox Church, and other traditional religious organisations of our country." &nbsp;

&nbsp;“I’d like to say to them: look at the holy scripture, the holy books of all other world religions. It’s all said there - including the fact that family is the union of a man and a woman. But even those sacred texts are being reviewed now. As it became known, the Anglican Church for example plans to, just plans at this point, to consider the idea of gender-neutral God. What can I say? May God forgive them for they know not what they do," the Russian President said.

Watch|Key takeaways of Russian President Vladimir Putin's State of the Union address

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Putin's warning to West 
A day after US President Joe Biden paid a surprise visit to Ukraine, Putin issued a sharp warning. "The elites of the West do not hide their purpose. But they also cannot fail to realise that it is impossible to defeat Russia on the battlefield," he said. His comments come as the US has decided to send more weapons to Kyiv.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-announces-suspension-of-nuke-arms-control-treaty-with-us-564382">Russian President Vladimir Putin announces suspension of nuke arms control treaty with US</a>

"I am forced to announce today that Russia is suspending its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty," Putin announced in an apparent retaliation. Some people in Washington were thinking about resuming nuclear testing, he said without any other statements in support of the claim as he stressed that Russia's defence ministry and nuclear corporation should therefore be ready to test Russian nuclear weapons if necessary.&nbsp; "Of course, we will not do this first. But if the United States conducts tests, then we will. No one should have dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed," the Russian President underlined.

(With agency inputs)

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (February 21) lashed out at the Church of England while he also stepped up the attack on the United States and other western nations as the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow, which he ordered on February 24, 2022, is set to complete one year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (February 21) lashed out at the Church of England while he also stepped up the attack on the United States and other western nations as the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow, which he ordered on February 24, 2022, is set to complete one year. "The Church of England is considering a version of a 'gender-neutral' God. They don’t know what they’re doing," he said. Earlier this month, the centuries-old institution had said that it would look into the use of gender neutral terms to refer to God in prayers. In his latest remarks, the Russian President said that the western churches go against bible. "Christians have recognised since ancient times that God is neither male nor female. Yet the variety of ways of addressing and describing God found in scripture has not always been reflected in our worship," a spokesperson for the Church said earlier this month, stressing that there were "absolutely no plans to abolish or substantially revise" authorised services. No changes would be introduced, the spokesperson added, without "extensive legislation". The Church of England has also come under attack from conservative over its decision to grant blessings to same-sex couples in civil marriages. Questioning the observations by the institution, Putin said: “Their prime target is of course younger people and our young generation. And here, again, they lie constantly. They distort historical facts, they constantly attack our culture, the Russian Orthodox Church, and other traditional religious organisations of our country." “I’d like to say to them: look at the holy scripture, the holy books of all other world religions. It’s all said there - including the fact that family is the union of a man and a woman. But even those sacred texts are being reviewed now. As it became known, the Anglican Church for example plans to, just plans at this point, to consider the idea of gender-neutral God. What can I say? May God forgive them for they know not what they do," the Russian President said. Watch|Key takeaways of Russian President Vladimir Putin's State of the Union address × Putin's warning to West A day after US President Joe Biden paid a surprise visit to Ukraine, Putin issued a sharp warning. "The elites of the West do not hide their purpose. But they also cannot fail to realise that it is impossible to defeat Russia on the battlefield," he said. His comments come as the US has decided to send more weapons to Kyiv. Also read: Russian President Vladimir Putin announces suspension of nuke arms control treaty with US "I am forced to announce today that Russia is suspending its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty," Putin announced in an apparent retaliation. Some people in Washington were thinking about resuming nuclear testing, he said without any other statements in support of the claim as he stressed that Russia's defence ministry and nuclear corporation should therefore be ready to test Russian nuclear weapons if necessary. "Of course, we will not do this first. But if the United States conducts tests, then we will. No one should have dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed," the Russian President underlined. (With agency inputs) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

On 'gender-neutral' God, Putin slams Church of England: 'They don't know...'

Putin accuses West of manipulating Global currencies

U.S. : China considering arming Russia

President Vladimir Putin delivered a nuclear warning to the West over Ukraine, suspending a bilateral nuclear arms control treaty, announcing new strategic systems had been put on combat duty and warning that Moscow could resume nuclear tests.

Key takeaways of Russian President Vladimir Putin's State of the Union address

U.S. slams absurdity of Putin's anti-West speech

Putin says Russia will halt participation in New Start nuclear arms treaty

In pics | Major Russian attacks across Ukraine

The first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is here. With no end in sight to the war, the West is renewing military aid to Ukraine. Among the Ukraine allies, Germany is one of the frontrunners in sending weapons to Ukraine. Watch this video to find out how the Ukraine war is expected to cost Germany by the end of 2023.

Here’s how much the Ukraine war is expected to cost Germany by the end of 2023

Here’s how much the Ukraine war is expected to cost Germany by the end

Here’s how much the Ukraine war is expected to cost Germany by the

Russia-Ukraine war: Putin delivers major address in Moscow

Russia-Ukraine war : Putin delivers combative speech, blames West

Russia-Ukraine war : Putin delivers war-time address

Russia-Ukraine war : Putin hits out at U.S.' global military presence

Russia-Ukraine war : Putin slams West's double standards

It was nearly a year ago, on February 24, 2022, when tanks and armoured vehicles rolled into the Ukrainian territory along with nearly 200,000 soldiers. Russian President Vladimir Putin was brimming with confidence of an impending victory, and his forces progressed up to Kyiv without much resistance, but by April they had to retreat and shift focus to the separatist region of Donbas.

It was nearly a year ago, on February 24, 2022, when tanks and armoured vehicles rolled into the Ukrainian territory along with nearly 200,000 soldiers. Russian President Vladimir Putin was brimming with confidence of an impending victory, and his forces progressed up to Kyiv without much resistance, but by April they had to retreat and shift focus to the separatist region of Donbas. Putin’s dream triumph has been eluding him as the Ukrainian troops withstood the initial onslaught and came up with a strong counteroffensive with the help of arms and warfare inputs from the West. As a consequence, the war has stretched much beyond Putin’s calculations and imagination, turning out to be much costlier than anticipated, while measures like conscription bred discontent among Russians at home, further adding to his woes. Cutting the umbilical cord Cut to December 25, 2022, Ukrainians for the first time celebrated Christmas earlier, cutting their umbilical cord with the Russian tradition, venting their anger and resentment over the massive devastation in their homeland, loss of dear ones and livelihood, homes being reduced to rubble and suffering the vagaries of the extreme winter cold without power and heating. Pictures capturing the massive destruction, pain and agony send a chill down the spine and remind us about the grisly, despicable repercussions of war. It takes so much to build, and just a whim to destroy. It was a subdued Xmas celebration in Ukraine, but one that was marked by exceptional resilience, courage and indefatigability amidst suffering. Many had lost a family member, kin, friend, neighbour, or benefactor, in the massive waves of strikes by Russian missiles, rockets and kamikaze drones, but they still lit candles despite their hearts seething with pain, just to spite the enemy. ALSO READ | Russia slams Emmanuel Macron for his remarks, says Moscow remembers Napoleon’s fate Families of fallen Ukrainian soldiers decorated Christmas trees on their graves as heavens showered snow as if it were sharing their grief. Volunteers in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv made a Christmas tree out of camouflage nets that were donated to soldiers fighting on the frontline after the holidays. It was a poignant, pensive Christmas for Ukrainians. A fortnight later, Russia also celebrated Christmas, on January 7, since its Orthodox Church still follows the Julian calendar and not the Gregorian calendar in which Xmas falls on December 25. Going by the celebrations in Russia, there was not even the faintest inkling of the country being at war, but this picture is just superficial. Every war bleeds the economy within, during and afterwards. The so-called “special operations” have resulted in massive casualties for Moscow’s forces also, as Putin had to order a partial mobilisation. Loss of Russian men and machines Remember, Moscow had a strong army of 850,000 active troops before the invasion. When war gets extended to a year, the costs are obviously high and though Russians may be living a normal life now — as there is no war action on Russian soil — the costs of the war will pinch them sometime eventually. As per the estimates of UK intelligence officials, the Russian regular forces along with the Wagner troops may have suffered around 175,000-200,000 casualties. Ukraine has been using weapons supplied by several countries and managed to repulse the attack as Russia lost captured ground in a massive counter-offensive. Conscription of 300,000 recruits and the deployment of Wagner Group mercenaries revealed that casualties in the Russian army had been massive. And now, as the West is again lining up fleets of Challenger, Leopard and Abrams tanks, more fatalities would follow. Since the mobilisation call led to protests and Russian men used all possible ways to flee, there would be more reliance on the mercenaries and the Wagner group would further grow in stature and pose a challenge to the Russian army. Russia is estimated to have lost nearly 40% of its fleet of tanks in the Ukraine war, as per a count by the specialist think tank, the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS). It lost the missile cruiser Moskva, the flagship of the Russian Black SeaFleet, in April when it was hit by Ukrainian missiles. Putin’s spending on war material has also gone up as he has been procuring Kamikaze drones and missiles from Iran and Pyongyang. WATCH | Macron: Russia should be defeated in Ukraine, not crushed at home × Fall from grace, dent in image The invasion has hit Russia in other ways as well, as it has also lost its position of pre-eminence in the comity of nations. Its image of a powerful country in the region in the post-Soviet space has been hit hard. Moreover, Putin is aligning with rogue nations and those looked at with a doubt as he builds a new axis, bringing Moscow into its closest ever relations with China, North Korea and Iran. Russia, Iran, and North Korea are facing restrictive economic sanctions and are tying up for trade to circumvent the punitive measures besides working together on tactical and strategic levels. The G-7 nations are weighing sanctions on Chinese, Iranian and North Korean firms for aiding Russia’s military. It’s not difficult to fathom what Putin wanted by invading Ukraine, but Russians definitely would not like seeing their country being clubbed with North Korea and Iran. Former comedian Vs leader flaunting macho image The war can make or mar image, there will be twists and turns as it progresses but providence seems to have been favouring Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, a former actor and comedian. The war has given him a grand entry on the stage of geopolitics all of a sudden, and he has been making the right moves. His leadership has won him acclaim and he has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance. Zelensky was named the Time Person of the Year for 2022. He shed suit and tie and switched to wearing army-green T-shirts and sweatshirts in public appearances since the onset of the war in solidarity with his troops fighting Russians, and the world has seen him wearing the same clothes for the past 10 months, even while visiting abroad. Commentators even drew a parallel between his attire and Winston Churchill's historic appearance at the White House during World War II in a siren suit. Putin, known to be fond of his macho image, has been presenting himself as a tough leader, while scolding a minister during a meeting that was captured live. The war has kept him away from his macho pursuits as he had been photographed shirtless while riding a horse, firing darts with a crossbow at a grey whale from a motorboat, flooring the opponent in a Sambo wrestling session. What will Russia and Putin gain and lose? Ukraine is devastated and may well take a decade or more to bounce back. Rebuilding Ukraine after the destruction caused by the Russian invasion will cost around $349 billion, said a joint assessment by the World Bank, European Commission and Ukraine government. The Russian economy, on the other hand, will contract further due to the price cap on its crude oil and the EU’s embargo on oil and petroleum products. The effect of sanctions will become more evident on the ground gradually as public finances will shrink, and domestic manufacturing will be under stress. The Munich Security Conference saw nations pledging all support for Ukraine, expediting weapons’ supply and imposing tougher sanctions on Moscow. It will also be held accountable for war crimes as leaders mentioned Bucha and Mariupol. The earlier the war ends the better for both Ukraine and Russia, and the world as well, since till then the possibility of the conflict escalating will keep lurking. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

If Ukraine does lose the war, will Putin really be the winner?

WION’s Anas Mallick reports from ground zero as the Russia-Ukraine war completes one year on February 24th.

Lviv, Ukraine after one year of war

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