Putin ‘has started World War III’, says Zelensky on eve of invasion’s fourth anniversary

Day 1,460.

Today, reporting live from Ukraine on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, we cover fresh bombardments on both Ukrainian and Russian territory, the investigation into an explosive device that killed a police officer in Lviv and injured dozens more, and President Zelensky’s claims that Ukrainian forces have liberated 300 square kilometres in southern Ukraine – and that the Third World War has “already begun.” Plus, we hear reflections from our Europe Editor, and our Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator, who was inside No 10 Downing Street when Vladimir Putin launched the invasion in February 2022, on the calculations made in London at the outset of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Contributors

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

James Crisp (Europe Editor). @JamesCrisp6 on X.

David Blair (Chief Foreign Correspondent). @davidblairdt on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjzon X.

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CONTENT REFERENCED:

Zelensky accuses Putin of starting World War Three (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/23/zelensky-putin-russia-ukraine-world-war-three/

Russia kills Ukrainian civilians as anniversary of invasion approaches (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/22/russia-strikes-kyiv-with-ballistic-missiles/

Ukraine strikes long-range missile plant 1,400km behind Russian lines (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/21/ukraine-strikes-long-range-missile-factory-russia/

Ukrainian held after bombs kill policewoman, 23, in Lviv (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/22/ukrainian-woman-arrest-lviv-kremlin-terror-attacks/

Healey: I want to send British troops to Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/02/21/healey-i-want-to-send-british-troops-to-ukraine/

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