Ukraine update: Russia nuclear drills; German leader's warning; Munich meet

Amid tension with Ukraine and Western powers, Russia conducted large-scale military drills. Intercontinental ballistic missiles and cruise missiles were reportedly launched from nuclear submarines as part of the practice. Moscow showcased its nuclear might with the drills launched on February 19 even as America insisted that an invasion of Ukraine is imminent.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz said that war is looming again in Europe as NATO accuses Russia of seeking to invade Ukraine even as Moscow claims to be pulling back troops. Scholz's comments came alongside a meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

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Amid rising tension, the Ukrainian military reportedly said that one of its soldiers was killed on February 19 in shelling by Russia-backed separatists in east Ukraine. The Ukrainian military said that 66 cases of ceasefire violations were recorded on February 18. There are fears that this violence could be cited by Russia as a cause to launch military action.

Amid mounting distrust between the West and Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to have a phone call with French counterpart Emmanual Macron on February 20. Macron recently met Putin in Moscow in a bid to defuse the most sinister security crisis seen in Europe in decades.