Ukraine Invasion: Part 53

[MagicFox]

Welcome to 53 and, as always, Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

Agreed thread guidance:

A. The agreed purpose of the thread is for the sharing of information and commentary on current events

B. If you post a link please tell us where it leads/give a precis of the content

C. Discussion and debate is welcome, but please keep it respectful

(Very) easy explanation of the rare-earths issue in Ukraine, from UNITED24 Media

Rare Earth Metals in Ukraine and What is Known About Them
Rare earth metals (REEs) are a group of 17 chemical elements, including the lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium. These elements have unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties, making them essential for modern technology, energy, and defense industries. They are also crucial for the production of electric vehicles, smartphones, and other electronics.
Ukraine has significant reserves of REEs and other critical minerals. According to the World Economic Forum, the country ranks among the world’s top ten suppliers of mineral resources, with about 20,000 deposits covering 116 types of minerals. These include titanium, lithium, beryllium, manganese, gallium, uranium, zirconium, graphite, apatite, fluorite, and nickel.
Deposits of rare and rare-earth metals in Ukraine are mainly located within the Ukrainian Shield, particularly in the Volyn, Podolsk, Central, Kryvyi Rih-Kremenchuk, and Pryazovsky districts.
Forbes estimated in 2023 that the total value of Ukraine’s mineral resources could reach up to $15 trillion. More than 70% of these resources are concentrated in three regions—Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Luhansk.
Due to Russian aggression in 2014 and the occupation of parts of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the country lost control over several mineral deposits.
Before the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine was a major supplier of steel, titanium, lithium, gallium, iron ore, and manganese to Europe. However, the war has disrupted these supply chains, leading to higher costs and slower alternatives.
According to The Washington Post, citing research by the Canadian geopolitical risk assessment firm SecDev, Russia has seized Ukrainian territories with deposits of energy resources, metals, and minerals estimated to be worth at least $12.4 trillion.
Russia’s aggression may have been partly driven by a desire to control Ukraine’s vast reserves of critical minerals, which are essential for producing advanced green energy technologies. Since China dominates rare earth metal mining, Russian control over Ukrainian resources could strengthen both Moscow’s and Beijing’s positions in the global critical minerals market, posing challenges for the West’s energy transition.
In November 2024, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham suggested on Fox News that the U.S. and Ukraine should sign an agreement for rare earth mineral extraction in Ukraine. He stressed the importance of Ukraine partnering with the U.S. rather than Russia in this sector.

@DucklingSwimmingInstructress Thanks that's really helpful. Always up for easy explanations of things. Not enough brain bandwidth for everything that goes on but do like to understand as much as I can. 😂

RFK Jr has just cleared the first senate vote. More to get through though.

What sick person is this? Surely they should be arrested just for possessing such images.

Yeah, cannot upload any UK Def Intelligence updates because the Add Images widget is gone.

Yes and they could be arrested but the problem is finding them :/

I’d be interested to know if they were from somewhere like Russia. It seemed very much like a targeted regime of attack.

It might be. It could also be some sick man who gets off on upsetting people. I was moderator on a forum long ago and someone of the same ilk did the same. Simply very badly adjusted. Don't suppose we'll ever know which it was.

Defence update

Sorry for the x link. Hope this works. This is the latest.

The link works for me 😁, thanks!

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-4-2025

Key Takeaways:

• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi visited the Kyivska Electrical Substation in Kyiv Oblast on February 4 to assess damage to the substation as Russian long-range strikes targeting energy infrastructure continue to threaten Ukraine's nuclear power plants (NPPS) and Ukraine's energy production capabilities
• Russian officials continue to justify the Kremlin's decision to not conduct an involuntary reserve call up at this time despite indications that the Russian military is struggling to recruit enough new personnel to replace its high casualties.
• Russian occupation authorities continue to discuss Russia's possible illegal annexation of Kharkiv Oblast but claimed that Ukraine's September 2022 counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast spoiled Russia's plans to hold a "referendum" in the region at that time.
• A significant number of Russian vessels that had been at the Port of Tartus in recent weeks may have left Syria for Russia as Russian-Syrian negotiations about Russia's continued access to its bases in Syria reportedly continue.
• Ukrainian naval drone strikes have likely forced Russia to dramatically alter Russian ships' routes between Russia and Syria.
• Russia has also reportedly used vessels belonging to the MoD's Oboronlogistika company to monitor NATO vessels in the Baltic Sea.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Kupyansk.
• A Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces in the Siversk direction continue to struggle with systemic issues with field commanders filing false progress reports despite recent command changes.

David Lammy has just arrived in Ukraine for talks.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Nearly 8,000 North Korean soldiers still fighting (kyivindependent.com/nearly-8-000-north-korean-soldiers-still-fighting-in-kursk-oblast-budanov-says/) in Kursk Oblast, Budanov says.
Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov denied reports that North Korean soldiers have not been seen on the front line for weeks. However, Budanov noted that the number of North Korean troops has decreased, and Ukraine is trying to establish why.

⚡️Over 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed (kyivindependent.com/over-45-000-ukrainian-soldiers-killed-since-start-of-war-zelensky-says/) since start of war, Zelensky says.

⚡️ 38 countries announce (kyivindependent.com/38-countries-push-forward-with-tribunal-to-prosecute-russian-leadership-over-aggression-euronews-reports/) 'major progress' on tribunal for Russian leadership.

⚡️US won't rule out (kyivindependent.com/us-wont-rule-out-using-american-troops-to-take-over-the-gaza-strip-trump-says/) using American troops to 'take over' Gaza Strip, Trump says.
In a stunning proposal on Feb. 4, U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that the United States "will take over" the Gaza Strip, potentially with the help of American troops. [what the FUCK!?]

⚡️Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy grid could cause nuclear accident (kyivindependent.com/russias-attacks-on-ukraines-energy-grid-could-cause-nuclear-accident-iaea-chief-warns/), IAEA chief warns.
"A nuclear accident can result from a direct attack on a plant, but also from power supply disruption," Director General Rafael Grossi said during his visit to Kyiv on Feb. 4.

⚡️ US provides 30% of Ukraine's weapons, domestic production covers 40%, Zelensky says. (https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-says-ukraine-produces-40-of-its-battlefield-weapons-us-provides-30/)
"You can imagine what would happen to us without this crucial 30%," Zelensky said in an interview with Piers Morgan.

⚡️ Ukraine should receive nuclear weapons if NATO entry is delayed, Zelensky says. (kyivindependent.com/if-nato-membership-delayed-ukraine-should-get-nuclear-weapons-instead-zelensky-says/)

⚡️ UK Foreign Secretary Lammy (kyivindependent.com/uk-foreign-secretary-lammy-arrives-in-kyiv/) arrives in Kyiv.

⚡️ EU allocates $258 million in energy support (kyivindependent.com/eu-allocates-258-million-in-energy-support-for-moldova-62-million-earmarked-for-transnistria/) for Moldova, $62 million for Transnistria.

⚡️ UK pledges $69 million (kyivindependent.com/uk-announces-69-million-to-boost-ukraines-resilience-grain-deliveries-to-syria/) to boost Ukraine's resilience, grain deliveries to Syria.

⚡️Italy allocates (https://kyivindependent.com/italy-allocates-over-2-million-to-strengthen-ukraines-energy-system/) over $2 million to strengthen Ukraine's energy system.

Europe must act on Russian LNG before Trump makes it impossible (kyivindependent.com/europe-must-act-on-russian-lng-before-trump-makes-it-impossible/)
Europe’s window to ban Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) is closing faster than we think. As a second Trump administration takes shape, Europe’s opportunity to impose new, meaningful measures on Russian fossil fuels is rapidly diminishing…. After nearly three years of full-scale war, Western sanctions on Russia are at a turning point,” writes Razom We Stand Executive Director Svitlana Romanko in her op-ed.

⚡️ US producers, Saudi Arabia resist Trump's push for increased oil production, WSJ reports. (https://kyivindependent.com/trump-calls-for-lower-oil-prices-to-end-ukraine-war-us-producers-reject-expansion-wsj-reports/)

⚡️Ukraine open (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-ready-to-mine-rare-earths-in-cooperation-with-partners-zelensky-says/) to mining rare earths in cooperation with partners, Zelensky says.

Trump wants Ukraine’s ‘rare earths’ — What critical materials (kyivindependent.com/trump-wants-ukraines-rare-earths-what-critical-materials-does-ukraine-actually-have/)does it actually have?

⚡️ Ukraine's drone strike reportedly sets fire (kyivindependent.com/russian-oil-depot-on-fire-after-reported-ukrainian-drone-strike-in-krasnodar-krai/) to Russian oil depot in Krasnodar Krai.
The fire at the Albashneft oil depot was extinguished at 8:11 a.m. Moscow time, the independent Telegram channel Astra reported.
Ukrainian forces struck a Russian oil facility in Krasnodar Krai and a Buk air defense system in the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast overnight on Feb. 5, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said.

Ukraine’s robotic army is bringing the fight to Russia (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-robotic-army-is-bringing-the-fight-to-russia/)

⚡️ Russia records 20,000 claims to declare people dead or missing last year, marking 2.5-fold surge, media reports. (kyivindependent.com/russia-records-20000-missing-or-dead-claims/)
According to Mediazona, most of the claims last year were initiated by Russian military unit commanders who sought to remove missing soldiers — presumed dead but lacking official confirmation — from personnel rosters. This process allows units to recruit replacements.

What to expect from Ukraine’s defense innovation in 2025 (kyivindependent.com/what-to-expect-from-ukraines-defense-innovation-in-2025/)

The number of Poles backing continued military assistance to Kyiv dropped from 54% to 49% over the course of 2024, according to a survey commissioned by the Mieroszewski Center in Poland and published on Feb. 4. https://kyivindependent.com/less-than-half-of-poles-support-continued-military-aid-to-ukraine-survey-shows/

⚡️The Trump administration's foreign aid freeze impacted programs supporting the prosecution of Russian war crimes and the restoration of Ukraine's energy infrastructure after attacks, Ukraine-born Democratic Congressman Eugene Vindman said on Feb. 4, Ukrinform reported. https://kyivindependent.com/trump-admin-cuts-support-for-investigating-russian-war-crimes-rebuilding-ukraine-infrastructure/

⚡️ 'Illegal maneuver' — Democratic lawmakers oppose (https://kyivindependent.com/illegal-maneuver-democratic-lawmakers-oppose-trumps-plan-to-merge-usaid-into-state-department/) merging USAID under State Department.
The lawmakers also protested reports that USAID employees had been ordered not to report to work and were locked out of government email and accounts.

An Azerbaijani official source told Reuters that the Azerbaijani side possesses a fragment of a Pantsir missile extracted from the plane. kyivindependent.com/azerbaijani-airliner-hit-by-russian-pantsir-missile-before-december-crash-source-tells-reuters/

⚡️ Raiffeisen Bank reports (kyivindependent.com/raiffeisen-bank-reports-first-quarterly-loss-in-nine-years-after-russian-court-ruling-bloomberg-reports/) first loss in 9 years after Russian court ruling, Bloomberg reports.
The Austrian lender reported a net loss of 926 million euros ($955 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, primarily due to provisions in its Russian subsidiary.

⚡️ Oleksandr Yanukovych, the son of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, has made billions selling coal from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories to Turkey, independent investigative outlet Important Stories reported on Feb. 4. (https://kyivindependent.com/yanukovychs-son-made-billions-selling-coal-from-occupied-ukraine-to-turkey-report-says/)

⚡️ Explosion reported (kyivindependent.com/explosion-reported-near-khmelnytskyi-oblast-draft-office/) near Khmelnytskyi Oblast draft office, 1 killed, 4 injured.

⚡️Update: 5 killed, 55 injured after Russian missile attack (kyivindependent.com/russia-strikes-izium/) on Izium.

⚡️ 8 killed, 70 injured in Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/8-killed-70-injured-in-russian-attacks-across-ukraine-over-past-day/) across Ukraine over past day.

Losses:
1270 troops
157 vehicles/fuel tanks
52 artillery systems
9 tanks
99 UAVs

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪ - FEB 5, 2025
■ Fewest engagements since early Jun 2024, casualties down as well
■ Massive equipment losses continue, artillery & vehicle losses well above average
■ 🇷🇺 MLRS & 🇺🇦 strikes below average

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Russia’s ‘Digital Army’ Waging Covert Online War Against Ukraine and Its Allies (united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/russias-digital-army-waging-covert-online-war-against-ukraine-and-its-allies-5581)
Russia’s war on Ukraine is not only fought on the battlefield. Through their “digital army”—a vast network of bots, covert online campaigns, and paid influencers—Moscow is flooding social media with disinformation to undermine Ukraine, divide Europe, and destabilize democracies.
Disinformation knows no borders. It’s spread worldwide far quicker and easier than troops on the ground, making it an integral player in Russia’s war of aggression.
Read more in our editorial: united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/russias-digital-army-waging-covert-online-war-against-ukraine-and-its-allies-5581

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said it is highly unlikely that ships linked to Russia and China “accidentally” severed four undersea cables and pipelines in the Baltic Sea over the past three months.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova said that the issue of holding elections in Ukraine by the end of 2025 has not been discussed with the American side at this time. However, she emphasized that if the Trump administration raises the topic, Ukraine is ready for dialogue.
"When this issue was theoretically discussed in 2023-24, our position was that hostilities must end first. During the war, we will not be able to ensure full access to voting and candidacy," the diplomat stated.

“As for my legitimacy, I was elected by 73% of Ukrainians, and I have always said that I am open to elections,” Zelenskyy said in an interview with Piers Morgan.

“Today we cannot return all of our territory, we are thinking realistically—we cannot lose millions of people for the sake of a result that may not come,” the president said.

❗️Zelenskyy gave a big interview to Piers Morgan: about the meeting with Putin, the difference in losses in the war, and elections in Ukraine.
▫️ Putin will not wait for me to get tired. We are fighting for our lives and existence, we have no other choice.
▫️ If aid from the United States stops, I am sure this will impact European leaders.
▫️ About 300-350 thousand Russian soldiers were killed, 600-700 thousand wounded. Ukraine – 45.1 thousand killed and 390 thousand wounded.
▫️ If a meeting with Putin to reach a peace agreement is the only option, then we will certainly go to such a meeting.
▫️ Ukraine received only $46 billion of the promised $77 billion in weapons, and a certain part of the funds remained in the US for weapons production.
▫️ A completely fair question arises: what will protect us from this evil all this time, all this way? What support package, what missiles? Will they give us nuclear weapons? Then let them give us nuclear weapons.
▫️ Give us missile systems; partners, help us finance a million-strong army, transfer your contingent to those parts of our state where we want stability so that people are calm.

According to a Wahlen poll, 67% of Germans support military aid to Ukraine, with a significant majority in favor of increasing assistance.
"This means that the Ukraine fatigue that politicians sometimes talk about is not being reflected in the population," said security expert Jana Puljerin of the European Council on Foreign Relations.

🕯As a result of the Russian strike on Izium, young women aged 18 and 19 were killed, the 19-year-old was also pregnant.
According to the Regional Military Administration, the victims include a 6-year-old boy and two girls, aged 14 and 16. The 14-year-old girl is in serious condition.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Trump’s plans for ending the war in Ukraine will be presented on February 14 at the Munich Conference, — US Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg

Russia just blocked another IAEA rotation at the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP, refusing to provide security guarantees.
During a previous rotation, Putin’s forces hit an IAEA vehicle with a drone.

The death toll among foreign fighters has surged in the past 6
months, with at least 20 US volunteers fighting for Ukraine now missing.
No one knows the real number. Hundreds or even thousands, of internationals have died standing against Putin’s war.
www.kyivpost.com/post/46585

A week has passed since USAID stopped operations worldwide, except in Egypt and Israel. Assistance programs simultaneously found themselves without instructions and left in the dark about their future.
Since the full-scale invasion began, USAID has allocated:
$2.6 billion for humanitarian aid
$5 billion for development
$30 billion for direct budget support
“This is our real rear-area lend-lease. Without it, many recovery programs, repairs, and post-shelling restorations – including in the energy sector – would simply be impossible,” one Ukrainian official told Kyiv Post on condition of anonymity.
What will Ukraine lose from the aid cutoff? Kyiv Post explored the issue with experts. Read more on our website: www.kyivpost.com/analysis/46499

$40K for a one-way ticket to the meat grinder — Russia is throwing record payouts in Samara to fill assault units with little training.
“We’re going to be slaughtered,” one contract Russian soldier said.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/46559

For the second time, Russia has destroyed Izium’s City Council building in Kharkiv region.
The first time, Putin’s forces shattered it in 2022 while trying to occupy the city. Today — a ballistic missile.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇪🇺 EU experts are finalizing the main document for the Special Tribunal for Russia.
The work concerns the “Schuman Statute Draft,” which will regulate the tribunal’s functioning.
Additionally, the European Commission has recommended that the EU Council participate in official negotiations on establishing an International Claims Settlement Commission for Ukraine.
This commission will be responsible for reviewing, assessing, and making decisions on compensation for damages caused by Russia.

🇺🇸 The U.S. Senate Committee has approved Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for Director of National Intelligence.
Her candidacy now awaits full Senate approval.
Gabbard has consistently criticized Ukraine and promoted conspiracy theories. At the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she blamed NATO and even believed the Russian disinformation about U.S. biolabs in Ukraine. However, during her Senate hearing, she stated that she is “not a puppet of Putin.”

A Ukrainian drone equipped with a magnet steals a Russian drone that was left unattended https://t.me/liveukraine_media/28647

Zelensky accused American journalist Tucker Carlson of spreading Putin’s narratives.
“It seems to me that he needs to understand more deeply what is happening in Ukraine, stop working for Putin, and stop kissing his ass. Honestly,” the president said.

US producers, Saudi Arabia resist Trump's push for increased oil production, WSJ reports. (https://kyivindependent.com/trump-calls-for-lower-oil-prices-to-end-ukraine-war-us-producers-reject-expansion-wsj-reports/)

Trump hasn't endeared himself to the Saudis with his proposals for permanently displacing the Palestinians and the US (ie himself) taking over Gaza as a resort.

How seriously this will damage the relationship remains to be seen. It never seemed likely to me the Saudis would do anything expensive for Trump (unless it coincided with what they were doing anyway), but I wondered if I'd missed something. Now I really don't think they will.

@MissConductUS and any other of our friends from across the pond, I just wanted to say we’re thinking of you. I feel like I have whiplash watching the shit show that is Trump and Musk from the sidelines. Must be awful to be living it ❤️

www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-5-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to demonstrate his willingness to negotiate with Russia from a principled position that preserves Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the long run.
• Zelensky reiterated that the Ukrainian Constitution bans Ukraine from holding elections during wartime, but that Ukraine remains committed to holding elections in accordance with Ukraine’s constitution and laws after the war ends.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on February 4 that Russian forces have suffered roughly 300,000 to 350,000 killed in action (KIA) and roughly 600,000 to 700,000 wounded in action (WIA) since the February 2022 start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• Ukrainian forces conducted a strike against an oil depot in Krasnodar Krai on the night of February 4 to 5 as a part of an ongoing strike campaign against Russian defense industrial enterprises and oil refineries.
• The Russian military continues efforts to restructure Russia's peacetime military administrative control over military services (вид; vid) and is apparently disaggregating administrative control for Russia’s Air Force and Navy from Russia’s military districts.
• The Kremlin continues to prioritize domestic political stability over efforts to mitigate economic pressure and labor shortages.
• Ukraine and Russia conducted a one-for-one prisoner-of-war (POW) exchange on February 5.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Kupyansk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk.

seconded.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Kellogg to discuss (kyivindependent.com/kellogg-to-discuss-trumps-ukraine-peace-plans-at-munich-security-conference/) Trump's Ukraine strategy at Munich Security Conference.

⚡️Next Ramstein summit to be held (kyivindependent.com/next-ramstein-summit-to-be-held-on-feb-12-under-uk-chairmanship-instead-of-us-media-reports/) on Feb. 12 under UK chairmanship instead of US, media reports.
Following Donald Trump's administration's takeover of the White House, the future format of Ramstein's meetings remained uncertain.

⚡️Ukraine's Defense Ministry introduces (kyivindependent.com/defense-ministry-aims-to-scale-up-use-of-unmanned-ground-systems-introducing-full-fledged-robotic-units/) robotic units into army.

US weapons aid to Ukraine is about to run out
(kyivindependent.com/us-weapons-aid-to-ukraine-is-about-to-run-out/)
Funds that Congress approved for weapons packages to Ukraine during the Biden administration are nearly empty, with most weapons already in Ukraine.
A Dec. 30 package from former U.S. President Joe Biden used up the last of the funding from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which since 2022 has allocated $32.7 billion to buy Ukraine new equipment.
That final package included mostly air defense missiles and ammunition for rocket systems like HIMARS, as well as simpler artillery shells, which are a consistent pain point given Ukraine’s constant need.

⚡️Euroclear to send (kyivindependent.com/more-than-2-billion-of-russian-assets-profits-in-europe-are-to-be-transferred-to-the-fund-for-ukraine/) 2-billion-euro tranche of Russian assets profits for Kyiv.
Belgian clearing house Euroclear said in a statement on Feb. 5 that the second payment is expected to be made in March and should amount to approximately 2 billion euros.

⚡️Georgian parliament votes to terminate (kyivindependent.com/georgian-dream-votes-to-terminate-mandates-of-49-opposition-mps/) mandates of 49 opposition MPs.
Members of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party voted to revoke the mandates of 49 opposition parliamentarians on Feb. 5 after they refused to take their seats, citing concerns over the legitimacy of the results of the October parliamentary election.
The vote effectively brings the total number of Georgian parliamentarians down to 89 of the 150 elected in the disputed parliamentary elections — all of which now sit under the Georgian Dream party banner.

⚡️Azerbaijan to deliver (kyivindependent.com/azerbaijan-to-deliver-1-million-in-humanitarian-aid-to-ukraine/) $1 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

⚡️Almost 3 times more people died (kyivindependent.com/almost-3-times-more-people-died-in-ukraine-than-were-born-in-2024-data-shows/) in Ukraine than were born in 2024, data shows.
Ukraine registered 495,090 deaths of various causes in 2024, which is almost three times more than were born, according to data published by the Justice Ministry.

⚡️ Ukraine brings back 150 POWs (kyivindependent.com/kyiv-brings-back-150-ukrainians-from-russian-captivity-in-prisoner-swap/) from Russian captivity in prisoner swap.

⚡️ US 'not going to eliminate foreign aid,' Rubio says (kyivindependent.com/rubio-us-aid/) amid USAID shutdown push.
"I continue to support foreign aid. But foreign aid is not charity. It exists for the purpose of advancing the national interest of the United States," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a press conference in Costa Rica.
He added that the U.S. would not eliminate foreign aid but would ensure it benefits "trusted partners and allies."

⚡️ Nearly 40,000 Russian troops lost in Kursk Oblast in six months, 16,000 killed (kyivindependent.com/nearly-40-000-russian-troops-lost-in-kursk-oblast-over-six-months-military-says/), Ukraine says.
The operation in Kursk Oblast may become an "important part" of future negotiations to end Russia's war, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

Ukraine’s steel sector looks abroad (kyivindependent.com/what-the-loss-of-a-critical-donbas-coal-mine-means-for-ukraines-war-torn-steel-sectorukraines-steel-sector-looks-abroad-after-loss-of-critical-donbas-coal-mine/)after loss of critical Donbas coal mine
Ukraine’s steel producers are now looking abroad to stay alive after the closure of the country's last operating coking coal mine in Pokrovsk last month.
The Pokrvosk mine was the last remaining coking coal site in Ukrainian-controlled territory and was worth around $1.8 billion before the war, according to the GMK Center, a metallurgy consulting company.

⚡️ Ukraine strikes Shahed-type drone launch site (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-strikes-russian-airfield-in-krasnodar-targeting-shahed-drone-launch-site/) in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, military claims.

⚡️ Russian intelligence behind deadly Rivne draft office bombing, Ukraine's SBU claims. (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-uncovers-russian-backed-recruitment-behind-deadly-rivne-draft-office-attack/)
The bombing on Feb. 1 killed the suspected perpetrator and injured eight service members. Russian operatives recruited the man and then remotely detonated explosives, removing him as an "'unnecessary' witness," the SBU said.

⚡️ Ukraine offering (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-offering-lng-storage-to-us/) gas storage facilities for US LNG to boost Europe's energy security.

⚡️Ukraine extends (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-extends-martial-law-mobilization-until-may-9/) martial law until May 9.
The extension of general mobilization and martial law until May 9 coincides with the celebration of Victory Day in Russia.

⚡️Ferrexpo's Ukraine subsidiary hit with $3.8 billion civil claim (kyivindependent.com/ferrexpos-ukraine-subsidiary-hit-with-3-8-billion-civil-claim/).
The Ukrainian subsidiary Poltava Mining (FPM) of London-listed Ferrexpo said a civil claim for Hr 157 billion ($3.78 billion) was filed against it over illegal mining in Ukraine and the sale of waste products.

⚡️DVL Group, owner of Ukraine’s third-largest mobile operator Lifecell, plans to cut 15% (kyivindependent.com/dvl-group-owner-of-ukraines-third-largest-mobile-operator-lifecell-plans-to-cut-15-of-it-staff-following-merger/) of IT staff following merger.

In bomb shelters and without power, Ukrainian Jews translate the Torah (kyivindependent.com/what-i-can-offer-my-motherland-ukrainian-jews-translate-the-torah-into-their-national-language-for-the-first-time/) into their national language for first time
Ukraine is the birthplace of the Hasidic Jewish movement, played a key role in the development of Yiddish literature, and has deep roots in Jewish history stretching back more than a thousand years.

⚡️ 1 killed, 24 injured (kyivindependent.com/1-killed-24-injured-in-russian-attacks-across-ukraine-over-past-day/) in Russian attacks across Ukraine over past day.

Losses Feb 6
1240 troops
133 vehicles and fuel tanks
46 artillery
83 UAV
2 special equipment

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE - FEB 6, 2025
■ Engagements & casualties below average
■ Massive equipment losses; >340 artillery in the last 7 days
■ Visually confirmed: 49 🇷🇺 41 🇺🇦 (🇺🇦 incl. older losses), last 30 days 1.4x
■ Significant 🇺🇦 strikes, single-digit strike ratio

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The first French Mirage 2000 fighters have arrived in Ukraine, Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced.
“Ukrainian pilots, who have undergone months of training in France, will now help protect the skies over Ukraine,” he said.

Ankara expects peace initiatives on Ukraine to begin by June, said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
"We hear a number of initiatives from US President Donald Trump on this issue. But behind-the-scenes work and preparation are needed before the meeting between the leaders of Russia and the US," Fidan stated.

Hungary is preparing to strike a deal with the US to maintain economic relations, while Brussels "will get what it deserves," said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
His remarks come as Trump threatens tariffs on European goods and EU leaders consider countermeasures.

Commander-in-Chief Syrsky stated that in 2024, the Defense Forces destroyed more Russian artillery systems than in the previous two years combined.
Overall, Russian losses in artillery systems amount to nearly 23,000 units. The Armed Forces also neutralized 1,269 enemy MLRS.

The administration of US President Donald Trump is divided over how to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, NBC News reports, citing sources.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg advocate using American leverage to pressure Vladimir Putin into stopping the war. Meanwhile, another faction argues for cutting billions in aid provided under Joe Biden, believing this would accelerate an end to the war. Critics warn that this approach would leave Ukraine defenseless, effectively leading to its surrender.
Trump has proposed several approaches. Two days after his inauguration, he threatened Russia with tariffs, sanctions, and taxes if Putin refused negotiations. However, since US-Russia trade has significantly declined, tariffs may not be an effective tool.
Another option for Trump is using frozen Russian assets instead of US taxpayer money to support Ukraine.
Former US Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor suggests that $300 billion in Russian assets in European and American banks could fund weapons and financial support for Kyiv.

[...] the Ukrainian Foreign Minister discusses gas storage facilities. But what does this mean in practice?
Read in our editorial. (united24media.com/business/ukraine-has-one-of-the-largest-gas-storage-capacities-a-key-resource-for-europe-5645)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s hopes for another election victory in 2026 are uncertain due to economic challenges, including rising inflation, declining public morale, and a falling birth rate, Reuters reports.
Hungary has faced the highest inflation spike in the EU since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, significantly affecting household finances. A January EU survey showed nearly 40% of Hungarians expect their financial situation to worsen. Experts note that living standards have not declined this sharply since Orbán’s Fidesz party took power in 2010.
Despite Orbán’s past success in using media influence and state spending to secure victories, his economic policies face growing pressure. Economists predict lower-than-expected growth, with the European Commission forecasting only 1.8% for Hungary this year
Orbán’s strategy includes increasing family benefits, home purchase and renovation subsidies, tax breaks, and pension increases. However, with the forint near a two-year low against the euro and the budget deficit exceeding EU standards, excessive spending could trigger negative market reactions.

Elon Musk has once again shared a fake video, this time targeting USAID, Ukraine, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The billionaire, known for spreading unverified information, posted a video on his X page claiming that USAID allegedly pays celebrities to visit Ukraine and boost Zelenskyy’s popularity. The video, originally shared by an anonymous account that frequently posts pro-Trump content and criticizes Democrats, features the E! News logo and includes footage of Angelina Jolie, Sean Penn, Ben Stiller, and others who have supported Ukraine since the full-scale invasion.
However, fact-checkers confirmed that E! News never published such a video. Despite this, Musk’s post has already been viewed by more than three million people.
Ben Stiller also responded, calling the claims false and stating that the video was created by Russians.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

A wave of deadly bombings hits Ukraine’s recruitment centers — Russian intelligence tricked young men into unknowingly carrying out suicide missions.
www.kyivpost.com/post/46638

Denmark just revoked Russia’s free pass and will now inspect its ‘shadow fleet’ tankers, marking its first policy shift since the 1857 free passage treaty.
www.kyivpost.com/post/46658

Ukraine conducted another prisoner exchange with Russia: 150 soldiers have returned home, Zelensky announced.
Among those freed are servicemen of the Navy, captured in Mariupol and Zaporizhzhia, as well as soldiers of the Air Force, Air Assault, and Ground Forces, National Guard members, border guards, territorial defense fighters, and a police officer.

Almost 300 cars were vandalized across Germany in a coordinated campaign orchestrated by Putin-backed provocateurs.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/46642

Overnight, Russian drones destroyed Barabashovo Market in Kharkiv — one of the largest in Ukraine and Europe.
With casualties still being ascertained, countless trading pavilions have been reduced to ruins.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Peskov confirmed that the Kremlin maintains contacts with certain agencies within the Trump administration, noting that these ties have recently intensified.

Ukrainian exports increased for the first time since the start of the full-scale war and, in 2024, almost reached the level of 2022. But it has not yet reached the level before the invasion
Meanwhile, imports are also growing and almost equaled the level of 2021. [cant link the infographic]

🇰🇵 North Korea has improved missile accuracy due to the war in Ukraine, Reuters reports.
Since late December 2024, North Korean ballistic missiles have become significantly more precise. Their accuracy has improved to a range of 50–100 meters, compared to the previous 1–3 kilometers.
It remains unclear what exactly North Korea has modified. The missiles may have been designed with enhanced navigation systems or improved steering mechanisms for better maneuverability. However, the country is now testing its weapons in real combat conditions and refining them based on feedback from the Russian military.
▪️Russia began launching North Korean ballistic missiles at the end of 2023. In February 2024, Ukraine recorded 24 such missile launches—only two hit their intended targets with relative accuracy. The rest had errors of several kilometers, and some even exploded in mid-air.

Air defense forces shot down 56 out of 77 enemy drones, with 18 more lost from radar tracking
As a result of the enemy attack, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts were affected.

Thanks to both of you. I have family members who work for the Federal government so that part is particularly disturbing.

I keep telling myself that you have to take Trump seriously, but not literally. I think that Trump knows that he's talking nonsense about Gaza but is using it as a negotiating issue with the Arab countries. He hopes that by turning him down on his plan for Gaza, they're more likely to make a concession to him on some other Gaza related issue. At least, I hope so.

I hope your family members can ride out these storms, MissConduct.

It's concerning that everyone is so stunned and fascinated by the Trumptastic shenanigans that Ukraine is getting even less attention.