{"id":164150,"date":"2022-02-21T17:08:59","date_gmt":"2022-02-21T15:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/?p=164150"},"modified":"2022-02-21T19:59:35","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T17:59:35","slug":"sharp-escalation-in-east-mass-evacuation-of-civilians-from-occupied-areas-zelenskyi-s-remarks-in-munich-and-more-weekly-update-on-ukraine-7-14-20-february","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/en\/sharp-escalation-in-east-mass-evacuation-of-civilians-from-occupied-areas-zelenskyi-s-remarks-in-munich-and-more-weekly-update-on-ukraine-7-14-20-february","title":{"rendered":"Sharp escalation in east, mass evacuation of civilians from occupied areas, Zelenskyi\u2019s remarks in Munich, and more \u2013 Weekly Update on Ukraine #7, 14-20 February"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Situation in the combat zone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg' viewBox%3D'0 0 1024 1024'%2F%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-3-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-164151\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-3-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-3-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-3-265x265.jpg 265w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-3-531x531.jpg 531w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-3-608x608.jpg 608w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-3-758x758.jpg 758w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-3-48x48.jpg 48w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-3-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-3.jpg 1400w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The situation in the combat zone in eastern Ukraine escalated sharply. On February 17, Russia-led forces renewed attacks all along the line of contact. On Sunday, they made 80 attacks, of which 72 included the use of weapons banned under the Minsk agreements.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Ukrainian service member was wounded by shrapnel. He is in hospital in a fair condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Shelling of Luhansk.<\/strong>&nbsp;Around 9 p.m. on February 20, Russia-backed militants fired heavy weapons toward Luhansk from near the occupied town of Lobacheve.&nbsp;That was another provocation Russia staged to fault the Ukrainian troops, Ukraine\u2019s Joint Forces command said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The incident comes as a show of no regard for civilian lives from the occupation force, the statement reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is the official statement and the Joint Forces command would like to inform everyone that the Joint Forces continue to strictly abide by the Minsk Agreements and the International Humanitarian Law. Therefore, the claims about the civilian settlement shelling carried out by the Armed Forces of Ukraine are completely false and provocative, as the only party responsible for those incidents is the aggressor-state,\u201d Ukraine\u2019s Joint Forces command said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Russia\u2019s proxy leaders order mass evacuation of civilians: what is behind the move&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg' viewBox%3D'0 0 1024 683'%2F%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/evakuatsiya-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-164122\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/evakuatsiya-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/evakuatsiya-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/evakuatsiya-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/evakuatsiya-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/evakuatsiya-265x177.jpg 265w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/evakuatsiya-531x354.jpg 531w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/evakuatsiya-608x405.jpg 608w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/evakuatsiya-758x505.jpg 758w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/evakuatsiya-72x48.jpg 72w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/evakuatsiya-144x96.jpg 144w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/evakuatsiya.jpg 1200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Evacuation order.<\/strong>&nbsp;On February 18, Kremlin-backed occupation authorities ordered evacuation of women, children, and seniors from occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk region to Russia. Evacuation order came as an emergency measure in response to intensified attacks that Russia\u2019s proxies made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet chiefs of \u201cLNR\u201d and \u201cDNR\u201d recorded their video addresses two days earlier, on February 16, metadata shows. Men were required to sign up for \u201cdraft\u201d, they said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Evacuation order followed Russia\u2019s disinformation efforts. Russia said Ukraine plans an offensive against the occupied territories, and faulted Ukraine for alleged explosions in Donetsk and damage of critical infrastructure. Russia also accused Ukraine of shelling the border area of the Rostov region.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ukraine denies plans for a military offensive. In lockstep with U.S. and NATO intelligence reports, Ukraine warns of Russia\u2019s plans to use false claims and provocations as a pretext for a large-scale invasion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Reports from Russia.<\/strong>&nbsp;More than 61,000 citizens arrived in Russia after being evacuated from the occupied areas of Ukraine\u2019s east, Russian authorities said. Nine trains carried the evacuees further into Russia. Six regions \u2013 Rostov, Voronezh, Kursk, Penza, Saratov, and Volgograd announced a state of emergency to accommodate the influx of evacuees from Donbas.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Taganrog, recreation facilities and hotels secured for the evacuees were full after two days, Russia\u2019s RBC said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Commentary by Ukraine\u2019s Defense Minister.<\/strong>&nbsp;Reports of the mass evacuation of citizens from Donbas are not true. People return back home on their own, Ukraine\u2019s Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said in comments aired on 1+1 TV channel Sunday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe mass evacuation of Ukrainians from ORDLO into Russia is a farce,\u201d Ukraine\u2019s Defense Minister said. \u201cThey sent away a few thousand people to create a picture. Our intelligence reports say that people now return to their homes on their own. They did not have food or shelter. These are staged scenes,\u201d Reznikov said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wagner mercenaries arrive in Donetsk, Ukraine\u2019s intelligence says<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"574\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg' viewBox%3D'0 0 1024 574'%2F%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/vagnerivtsi-1024x574.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-164128\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/vagnerivtsi-1024x574.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/vagnerivtsi-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/vagnerivtsi-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/vagnerivtsi-364x205.jpg 364w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/vagnerivtsi-728x409.jpg 728w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/vagnerivtsi-265x148.jpg 265w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/vagnerivtsi-531x297.jpg 531w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/vagnerivtsi-608x341.jpg 608w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/vagnerivtsi-758x426.jpg 758w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/vagnerivtsi-86x48.jpg 86w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/vagnerivtsi-171x96.jpg 171w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/vagnerivtsi.jpg 1487w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAccording to intelligence reports, Wagner mercenaries arrived in Donetsk to carry out a series of terrorist acts with Russia\u2019s security services, particularly attacks on apartment buildings,\u201d the operational-tactical command Skhid (East) of Ukraine\u2019s Armed Forces said in a statement. \u201cThe provocations aim to fault Ukraine and escalate the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ukrainian troops do not plan an offensive or other operations on the temporarily occupied territory, the operational-tactical command Skhid said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Ukrainian troops maintain a defensive stance and use weapons only if there are threats to lives of service members or civilians,\u201d the statement reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Russia\u2019s security services mined several social infrastructure facilities in occupied Donetsk to blast them, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine\u2019s Defense Ministry said in a statement on February 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Zelenskyi speaks at Munich Security Conference, highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"487\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg' viewBox%3D'0 0 1024 487'%2F%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/zelenskyj-1024x487.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-164134\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/zelenskyj-1024x487.webp 1024w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/zelenskyj-300x143.webp 300w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/zelenskyj-768x365.webp 768w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/zelenskyj-265x126.webp 265w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/zelenskyj-531x252.webp 531w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/zelenskyj-608x289.webp 608w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/zelenskyj-758x360.webp 758w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/zelenskyj-101x48.webp 101w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/zelenskyj-202x96.webp 202w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/zelenskyj.webp 1944w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On February 19, President Zelenskyi spoke during the annual Munich Security Conference. Zelenskyi traveled to Germany despite President Biden\u2019s warnings that Putin has decided to invade Ukraine. Here are the highlights from Zelenskyi\u2019s remarks that were well-received in Ukraine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cWhy die for Danzig?\u201d, question that led to Dunkirk.&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cUkraine wants peace. Europe wants peace. The world says it doesn&#8217;t want to fight, and Russia says it doesn&#8217;t want to attack. Someone is lying. This is not an axiom, but it is no longer a hypothesis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTwo days ago I was in Donbas, on the delimitation line. Legally &#8211; between Ukraine and the temporarily occupied territories. In fact, the delimitation line between peace and war. Where on the one side there is a kindergarten, and on the other side there is a projectile that hit it. On the one side there is a school, on the other side there is a projectile hitting the school yard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd next to it there are 30 children who go\u2026 no, not to NATO, but to school. Someone has physics classes. Knowing its basic laws, even children understand how absurd the statements that the shelling is carried out by Ukraine sound.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSomeone has math classes. Children can calculate the difference between the number of shelling occasions in these three days and the occasions of mentioning Ukraine in this year&#8217;s Munich Security Report without a calculator.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd someone has history classes. And when a bomb crater appears in the school yard, children have a question: has the world forgotten its mistakes of the XX century?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat do attempts at appeasement lead to? As the question \u2018Why die for Danzig?\u2019 turned into the need to die for Dunkirk and dozens of other cities in Europe and the world. At the cost of tens of millions of lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Global security architecture fragile, needs update.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cThe architecture of world security is fragile and needs to be updated. The rules that the world agreed on decades ago no longer work. They do not keep up with new threats. They are not effective for overcoming them. This is a cough syrup when you need a coronavirus vaccine. The security system is slow. It crashes again. Because of different things: selfishness, self-confidence, irresponsibility of states at the global level. As a result, we have crimes of some and indifference of others. Indifference that makes you an accomplice. It is symbolic that I am talking about this right here. It was here 15 years ago that Russia announced its intention to challenge global security. What did the world say? Appeasement. Result? At least &#8211; the annexation of Crimea and aggression against my state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe UN, which is supposed to defend peace and world security, cannot defend itself. When its Charter is violated. When one of the members of the UN Security Council annexes the territory of one of the founding members of the UN. And the UN itself ignores the Crimea Platform, the goal of which is to de-occupy Crimea peacefully and protect the rights of Crimeans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThree years ago, it was here that Angela Merkel said: \u2018Who will pick up the wreckage of the world order? Only all of us, together.\u2019 The audience gave a standing ovation. But, unfortunately, the collective applause did not grow into collective action. And now, when the world is talking about the threat of a great war, the question arises: is there anything left to pick up? The security architecture in Europe and the world is almost destroyed. It&#8217;s too late to think about repairs, it&#8217;s time to build a new system. Mankind has done this twice, paying too high a price &#8211; two world wars. We have a chance to break this trend until it becomes a consistent pattern. And start building a new system before millions of victims. Having the old lessons of the First and Second World Wars, not our own experience of the possible third, God forbid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ukraine will defend itself with or without foreign support.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cWe will defend our land with or without the support of partners. Whether they give us hundreds of modern weapons or five thousand helmets. We appreciate any help, but everyone should understand that these are not charitable contributions that Ukraine should ask for or remind of.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese are not noble gestures for which Ukraine should bow low. This is your contribution to the security of Europe and the world. Where Ukraine has been a reliable shield for eight years. And for eight years it has been rebuffing one of the world&#8217;s biggest armies. Which stands along our borders, not the borders of the EU.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTo really help Ukraine, it is not necessary to constantly talk only about the dates of the probable invasion. We will defend our land on February 16, March 1 and December 31.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ukraine deserves honest talk about prospects for EU, NATO membership.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cTomorrow in Ukraine is the Day of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred. Eight years ago, Ukrainians made their choice, and many gave their lives for that choice. Eight years later, should Ukraine constantly call for recognition of the European perspective? Since 2014, Russia has been convincing that we have chosen the wrong path, that no one is waiting for us in Europe. Shouldn&#8217;t Europe constantly say and prove by action that this is not true? Shouldn&#8217;t the EU say today that its citizens are positive about Ukraine&#8217;s accession to the Union? Why do we avoid this question? Doesn&#8217;t Ukraine deserve direct and honest answers?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis also applies to NATO. We are told: the door is open. But so far authorized access only. If not all members of the Alliance want to see us or all members of the Alliance do not want to see us, be honest. Open doors are good, but we need open answers, not open questions for years. Isn&#8217;t the right to the truth one of our enhanced opportunities? The best time for it is the next summit in Madrid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRussia says Ukraine seeks to join the Alliance to return Crimea by force. It is gratifying that the words \u2018return Crimea\u2019 appear in their rhetoric. But they inattentively read Article 5 of the NATO Charter: collective action is for protection, not offensive. Crimea and the occupied regions of Donbas will certainly return to Ukraine, but only peacefully.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Security guarantees under Budapest Memorandum.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cUkraine has received security guarantees for abandoning the world&#8217;s third nuclear capability. We don&#8217;t have that weapon. We also have no security. We also do not have part of the territory of our state that is larger in area than Switzerland, the Netherlands or Belgium. And most importantly &#8211; we don\u2019t have millions of our citizens. We don\u2019t have all this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTherefore, we have something. The right to demand a shift from a policy of appeasement to ensuring security and peace guarantees.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSince 2014, Ukraine has tried three times to convene consultations with the guarantor states of the Budapest Memorandum. Three times without success. Today Ukraine will do it for the fourth time. I, as President, will do this for the first time. But both Ukraine and I are doing this for the last time. I am initiating consultations in the framework of the Budapest Memorandum. The Minister of Foreign Affairs was commissioned to convene them. If they do not happen again or their results do not guarantee security for our country, Ukraine will have every right to believe that the Budapest Memorandum is not working and all the package decisions of 1994 are in doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI also propose to convene a summit of permanent members of the UN Security Council in the coming weeks with the participation of Ukraine, Germany and Turkey in order to address security challenges in Europe. And elaborate new, effective security guarantees for Ukraine. Guarantees today, as long as we are not a member of the Alliance and in fact are in the gray zone &#8211; in a security vacuum.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ways to support Ukraine.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cWhat else can we do now? Continue to effectively support Ukraine and its defense capabilities. Provide Ukraine with a clear European perspective, the tools of support available to candidate countries, and clear and comprehensive timeframes for joining the Alliance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSupport the transformation in our country. Establish a Stability and Reconstruction Fund for Ukraine, a land-lease program, the supply of the latest weapons, machinery and equipment for our army &#8211; an army that protects the whole of Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDevelop an effective package of preventive sanctions to deter aggression. Guarantee Ukraine&#8217;s energy security, ensure its integration into the EU energy market when Nord Stream 2 is used as a weapon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Escalation&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>n<\/strong><strong>ot&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>e<\/strong><strong>vacuation:&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>Russia moves people out of Ukraine\u2019s occupied territory&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A new&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/en\/escalation-not-evacuation\">infographic<\/a>&nbsp;by UCMC\u2019s Hybrid Warfare Analytical Group on Russia\u2019s forced evacuation of citizens from Ukraine\u2019s occupied territory.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How Ukraine is fighting COVID-19<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"900\" height=\"415\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg' viewBox%3D'0 0 900 415'%2F%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/covid.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-132465\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/covid.jpg 900w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/covid-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/covid-768x354.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/covid-608x280.jpg 608w, https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/covid-758x350.jpg 758w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Coronavirus cases begin to decline across Ukraine. On February 20, Ukraine recorded 13,562 cases, and 127 deaths, a decline from last week.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the pandemic, Ukraine has reported&nbsp;4,734,333&nbsp;million cases,&nbsp;104,645&nbsp;deaths, and&nbsp;more than&nbsp;3,952,363 million&nbsp;recoveries.&nbsp;There are presently 677,325 active cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Vaccinations.<\/strong>&nbsp;Since vaccinations began in Ukraine,&nbsp;15,680,361 people have received the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, 15,121,999 people have been immunized with two doses, and 668,508 people have received a booster shot.&nbsp;<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Situation in the combat zone The situation in the combat zone in eastern Ukraine escalated sharply. On February 17, Russia-led forces renewed attacks all along the line of contact. On Sunday, they made 80 attacks, of which 72 included the use of weapons banned under the Minsk agreements.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A Ukrainian service member was wounded by [&hellip;] <a class=\"g1-link g1-link-more\" href=\"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/en\/sharp-escalation-in-east-mass-evacuation-of-civilians-from-occupied-areas-zelenskyi-s-remarks-in-munich-and-more-weekly-update-on-ukraine-7-14-20-february\">More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":164122,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[700,699,611,748],"tags":[],"section":[743,648],"form":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v17.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Sharp escalation in east, mass evacuation of civilians from occupied areas, Zelenskyi\u2019s remarks in Munich, and more \u2013 Weekly Update on Ukraine #7, 14-20 February | UACRISIS.ORG<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Situation in the combat zone The situation in the combat zone in eastern Ukraine escalated sharply. 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