Hi Global Recap readers,
To wrap up the week, we’ve got several Ukraine-related stories to cover.
First, there’s unbelievable footage showing what appears to be Russian munitions raining down from the sky.
Then, we have talks about proposing nukes.
🇺🇦 UKRAINE
White Phosphorus
Over Kostyantynivka
TLDR: New footage suggests Russia likely hit southwestern Kostyantynivka (a Ukrainian city) with phosphorus munitions on Feb. 27. A Ukrainian brigade says the strike was followed right after by a FAB-1500 guided glide bomb.
Details
Footage. Geolocated video posted Feb. 27 shows a strike in southwestern Kostyantynivka that appears consistent with white phosphorus.
Risk. It cannot be definitively confirmed whether civilians were in the exact impact area, but it should be noted that civilians still remain in Kostyantynivka, with the brigade estimating about 2,000 people.
Rules. Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons bans using incendiary weapons like white phosphorus against civilian targets or in areas with concentrations of civilians.
White phosphorus is not categorically banned, but its use can be unlawful if employed as an incendiary in populated areas or in indiscriminate ways.
📌 Context. White phosphorus is an incendiary that can cause severe burns and fires, and its use near populated areas is tightly restricted under international law.
🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Zelenskyy Talks
Nuclear Transfer
TLDR: When Russia's allegations came up about Ukraine shopping for nuclear weapons, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy joked that he'd accept nukes from the UK and France "with pleasure" if anyone actually offered, but he added there haven't been any proposals.
Details
Moment. On February 27, President Zelenskyy was asked about claims that Ukraine is trying to get nuclear weapons from friendly countries, and he didn't dodge it. He said "with pleasure," adding he hasn't gotten any such proposals.
Claim. A few days earlier, on February 24, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service claimed the UK and France were allegedly trying to transfer nuclear weapons or "dirty" nuclear bombs to Kyiv. The claim came with no evidence.
Former Russian "President" Dmitry Medvedev
Threat. Former Russian "President" Dmitry Medvedev followed up by threatening that Russia could use nuclear weapons against the UK, France, and Ukraine "if necessary."
Russian President Putin also said at a meeting of Russia's FSB (Federal Security Service of Russia) board that a "possible use of a nuclear component" by Ukraine against Russia was allegedly being considered.
Response. The UK pushed back, saying Putin is deliberately lying about London's intentions to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons and trying to divert attention from Russia's crimes.
Even China said it has no information about any nuclear transfer and repeated that nuclear weapons must not be used.
Separately, German Chancellor Merz said he had begun confidential talks with French President Macron on European nuclear deterrence.
See how much "nuclear" language is seeping into everyday war talk.
🇦🇺 AUSTRALIA
Two Terrorism Charges
TLDR: Western Australia has laid two different terrorism charges in under a month.
One man is accused of throwing a homemade bomb into Perth "Invasion Day" rally.
Another allegedly planned mass casualties against Parliament House, police, and mosques.
Details
Weapons that were found at the home of Jayson Joseph Michaels.
Charges. In less than a month, WA authorities have filed two separate terrorism cases, the first time the state has done that.
Liam Alexander Hall, 31, is accused of throwing a homemade fragmentation bomb (filled with ball bearings and screws) into a Perth Invasion Day rally crowd. The bomb failed to detonate.
On Friday, police charged 20-year-old Jayson Joseph Michaels with acting in preparation for a terrorist act, saying he was planning a "mass casualty" attack aimed at WA Parliament House, police headquarters, and mosques.
Mood. JWS Research found 27% of Australians said the country was "extremely" or "very" divided on key political, economic, and social issues about a year and a half ago.
That figure is now 41%.
Pause. When WA Premier Roger Cook was asked if he felt safe, he said he did and called diversity "one of our strongest assets," then hesitated when asked if the heat can be lowered.
He said he hopes so.
But he also blamed part of the problem on people getting more isolated even while they’re constantly connected online.
📌 Context. “Invasion Day” rallies are protests held on Australia Day (January 26). The point is to reject celebrating the date as a national holiday because it marks the start of British colonization in 1788.
🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Zelenskyy Invites
Fico Over Oil
TLDR: Zelenskyy invited Slovakian PM Fico to Kyiv to talk things out, but the standoff over the Druzhba oil pipeline is still doing damage. Slovakia and Hungary want Russian oil flow restarted and they're holding up EU's turning the screws on Ukraine.
Details
Call. The invite came after a Friday morning phone call, with Zelenskyy saying Fico should come to Ukraine to discuss "all issues."
Pipeline. The Druzhba line has been down for about a month after transit through Ukraine was disrupted due to Russian attacks damaging pumping stations. Slovakia plus Hungary are now demanding the flow to resume.
Pressure. Fico has argued Ukraine is dragging out repairs and says Slovakia is allowed to keep importing because it has an EU sanctions exemption for this Russian oil.
Spillover. The fight has bled into EU politics and energy retaliation:
Hungary blocked a €90 billion EU financial package for Ukraine.
Slovakia halted emergency supplies of diesel, gas, and electricity to Ukraine.
Fico and Hungarian PM Orbán set up a joint team and demanded access to inspect the pipeline in Ukraine.
