Key Developments on February 3: NATO Chief's Kyiv Visit Amid Russian Strikes on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia

Major Events in Ukraine on February 3

According to Главком: The 15th session of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada commenced on February 3, a day marked by significant political and military developments. At the opening, First Deputy Chairman of the parliament, Oleksandr Korniienko, formally declared the session underway.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Kyiv, where he and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored fallen defenders. Rutte also addressed the opening of the parliamentary session. During a joint press conference, both leaders underscored the critical importance of sustained international support for Ukraine.

Rutte stated: 'NATO continues its support for Ukraine, including in military equipment, training, and air defense provision, and is prepared to act for years to come.'

Attacks and Their Consequences

On the same day, Russia struck a residential high-rise building in Kharkiv's Saltivka district with a Shahed drone. The attack injured seven people, including five women and two men. An 85-year-old woman was among those hospitalized.

Separately, Russian forces attacked a residential district of Zaporizhzhia, killing two people and wounding nine others. The shelling damaged four apartment buildings, cars, and non-residential premises. These attacks highlight the ongoing threat to civilian areas far from the front lines.

Also on February 3, a Polish court convicted a citizen from the city of Hrubieszów, identified as Pawel K., of espionage for Russia. The 50-year-old defendant was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for gathering data on security at Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport. The District Court in Zamość imposed the prison term.

The day's events illustrate the dual reality in Ukraine: continued military aggression against civilians alongside crucial political diplomacy. Rutte's visit signals NATO's enduring commitment, while the attacks in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia underscore the severe human cost of the war, driving international calls for action.