Ukraine Update…251 days into the Russian move on the Ukraine…Zelensky mentions ‘Peace’…..

Here’s the latest on the war and its ripple effects across the globe.

• The White House emphasized that Burns was not speaking with Russia about an end to the war. “He is not conducting negotiations of any kind. He is not discussing settlement of the war in Ukraine,” the spokesperson said. “He is conveying a message on the consequences of the use of nuclear weapons by Russia, and the risks of escalation to strategic stability.” Burns would also “raise the cases of unjustly detained US citizens,” the spokesperson added.
• Russian news outlet Komersant first reported that Burns was meeting in Ankara with Sergei Naryshikin,the director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, or SVR. It’s routine for Russian media to disclose meetings between Russian officials and Burns, who has previously met with Naryshkin and visited Moscow.
• Zelensky described Kherson’s liberation as a turning point, pledging to drive Russia out of Ukraine entirely. “I think they ran because our army threatened the enemy and they were in grave danger,” he said of Russian occupiers in his speech to the city. “There were intense fights. And here is the result: We are here today in Kherson.” He said Ukraine was ready for peace, but not if it meant handing over its territory to Russia.
• Ukrainian prosecutors have documented more than 400 war crimes allegedly committed by Russian troops, Zelensky said Sunday, adding that bodies of civilians and soldiers were being found. The Washington Post could not independently verify those claims. Evidence of torture and brutal killings was found in areas such as Bucha, near Kyiv, after Russian troops retreated.
• Ukraine is working to restore essential infrastructure in Kherson such as communications, internet, television, electricity and running water, Zelensky said. “We will bring back transport and postal services,” he said. “We will bring back ambulances and normal medicine.” Kherson was the first major city to be captured during the Russian invasion and was subjected to harsh occupation. About 100,000 residents are there now, Zelensky said — compared with its prewar population of about 300,000.

• The Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine is emerging as Russia’s next focus. Moscow’s troops are launching a new offensive there after their retreat from Kherson, the Institute for the Study of War think tank said. Zelensky also said the fighting in Donetsk remains intense. “The level of Russian attacks is not decreasing,” he said.
• Ukrainian crews have removed thousands of explosives, but many more pose a danger to Kherson,authorities said. One person died and four others were injured while clearing mines, Zelensky said. Yaroslav Yanushevych, the regional governor, posted a video Sunday in which he said Russians “have mined almost everything.” He also called on people to avoid “crowded places.”
• Winter will change how both sides fight this conflict, Britain’s Defense Ministry said. Fewer daylight hours and a drop in the average temperature between December and February will mean fewer offensives and less movement at the front line, the ministry said. In near-freezing conditions, the “golden hour” window during which it is possible to save the life of a critically injured soldier is also reduced by half, it added, and ill-equipped combatants are more vulnerable to injuries caused by prolonged exposure to cold moisture.
• Ukraine revoked the credentials of journalists who conducted unauthorized reporting in Kherson, the nation’s military said. Sunday’s announcement — which was posted in English and Ukrainian — did not identify the journalists or the outlets with which they were working….

 More….