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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