Ukraine Invasion: Part 53

[MagicFox]

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

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

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UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

❗️US President Donald Trump said he had spoken with Vladimir Putin, the New York Post reports. [as you said, @Igotjelly ]
In an interview, Trump reportedly said he would “prefer not to say” how many times they had spoken. According to him, Putin “wants people to stop dying” on the battlefield. It was not specified when the conversation took place.

Zelenskyy noted that Putin has seized Ukrainian resources worth trillions, and if a ceasefire occurs without de-occupation, Russia will be able to use these resources to prepare for a new war.
He emphasized that assistance in de-occupation is fair, as a mere ceasefire would only enable Russia to develop the captured resources.

Putin is not preparing for negotiations but for the continuation of the war, increasing the army by more than 100,000 soldiers, Zelenskyy said.

The Kremlin is running a “special campaign” to obscure the war’s impact on the economy, according to ISW. Analysts note that Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin told Putin on February 7 that GDP grew by 4.1% in 2024 due to the “intensive” development of the manufacturing industry—essentially, military production. He also cited inflation at 9.52%, while Putin had previously stated on February 3 that it was 9.9%.
ISW reports that real inflation is nearing 20%, and the Kremlin is silent about the Central Bank’s rate hike to 21% and the National Welfare Fund’s war-related spending, which could drain its liquidity by fall 2025.

The January U.S. sanctions could deal a serious blow to the Russian economy, with a significant portion of oil exports now at risk, The Moscow Times reports, citing analysts close to the Kremlin.

A Russian government-affiliated think tank has modeled a scenario incorporating the new sanctions and compared it to a baseline projection without them, offering insight into potential economic damage. The findings suggest that risks to Russia’s external economic environment have risen sharply.
Key targets of the sanctions include major oil companies like Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, maritime insurers Ingosstrakh and AlfaStrakhova, and over 150 tankers and other vessels involved in transporting Russian hydrocarbons. Additionally, intermediaries are facing greater pressure to comply with restrictions.
Beyond sanctions, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a significant increase in U.S. oil production, which could drive down global prices, further straining Russia’s oil revenue.
If these risks materialize, Russia could lose around $50 billion in export revenue annually—$47 billion in 2025, $57 billion in 2026, and $52 billion in 2027. This would result from declining oil and gas exports, lower global prices, and an increasing discount on Russian oil.
The ruble is expected to depreciate further under this scenario. By 2027, the average annual exchange rate could reach 132.3 rubles per dollar, compared to 109.4 rubles per dollar in the baseline projection. Oil production is projected to drop in tandem with exports—by 30 million tons in 2025, 43 million tons in 2026, and 35 million tons in 2027. Pipeline gas exports are also expected to shrink by 4–5 billion cubic meters per year.
The price of Urals crude is forecast to be about $7 lower than it would be without the January sanctions. The ruble’s decline will contribute to inflation, with an expected rise of 1 percentage point this year, 0.6 points next year, and 0.2 points in 2027. In response, the Russian Central Bank may be forced to raise its key interest rate to 23% in the first half of the year.
Despite these pressures, some experts believe the full impact remains uncertain. Economist Sofia Donets notes that the effect on exporters and logistics is still unclear, while oil and gas analyst Sergei Vakulenko suggests Russian companies had time to prepare, potentially limiting immediate losses. However, in the long run, these sanctions could gradually erode Russia’s export revenues.

Putin has ordered the creation of an exhibition on the war against Ukraine at Moscow’s Victory Museum.

Three people, including a child, were injured in Russian shelling of Kherson on the morning of February 8

Captain Konstantin Nagaiko, involved in the missile strike on the village of Hroza, has died in Russia.
Nagaiko, a battery commander in the 112th Division of the Russian Army’s missile brigade, was responsible for ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine, including the attack that killed 59 civilians in Hroza, Kharkiv region.
In early January 2025, he was blown up in Shuya, Ivanovo region, and had been in critical condition in hospital since then.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Nothing.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Zelensky announces special one-year military contracts for young people aged 18-24.
“Experienced combat brigades, together with the Ministry of Defense, have developed this contract option—this is not mobilization.
It includes many benefits: high financial compensation, free education, and a free housing loan. Full details will be released next week,” Zelensky said in an interview with Reuters.

🇰🇵 🇷🇺North Korea to produce drones jointly developed with Russia – NHK
However, according to sources, Russia is reluctant to support North Korea’s nuclear weapons development. Moscow fears that Pyongyang conducting nuclear tests could further strain its relations with the U.S., neighboring countries, and even China.

Russian marines of the 810th Brigade filmed Ukrainian warriors on the Kursk front using a new tactic
A drone lay in wait near the road and instantly attacked a Russian vehicle as soon as it came close. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/28759

🇩🇪German Chancellor Scholz: Sending peacekeepers to Ukraine is not up for discussion now
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that it is too early to talk about deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine, as this would imply that partners accept the possibility of Ukraine not reclaiming some of its occupied territories.
He emphasized that the conflict must first be resolved through negotiations but stressed that nothing should be decided without Ukraine’s participation.

This week, Russia has attacked Ukraine with over 1,260 aerial bombs, nearly 750 strike drones, and more than 10 missiles of various types, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported

Air defense shot down 70 out of 151 enemy drones.
Another 74 drones were lost from radar tracking, while two remain in Ukrainian airspace, with combat operations still ongoing.
As a result of the attack, the Kyiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, and Volyn oblasts were affected.

Significant news for Ukraine that they are starting to recruit younger men. They've tried to avoid this for so long.

I find it so depressing at the same time - it's just bloody senseless

I suspect it’s being mandated by the US, we know it’s a bugbear of Trump’s.

ICC prosecutor who oversaw arrest order for Putin over Ukrainian children deportation included (https://kyivindependent.com/icc-prosecutor-who-oversaw-arrest-order-for-putin-over-ukrainian-children-deportation-included-in-trumps-unpublic-sanction-list-reuters-reports/) in Trump's unpublic sanction list, Reuters reports.

If this is Trumps direction of travel (as we suspected) it's more important that Europe pulls together.

Yes, I agree that it's all so bloody senseless.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-8-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Russia may be providing drone and missile technology to North Korea in exchange for North Korean troops fighting in Kursk Oblast.
• Russia continues to expand its military capabilities, indicating that the Kremlin has no immediate interest in negotiations or a lasting peace with Ukraine.
• The Russian command may be redeploying forces from the Kurakhove direction towards Toretsk in order to facilitate Russian offensive operations against Kostyantynivka in Spring or Summer 2025.
• The Baltic States cut ties with the Soviet-era power grid that connected them to Belarus and Russia on February 8 as part of efforts to achieve full energy independence from Russia and further integrate their energy infrastructure with the European Union (EU).
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Chasiv Yar, and Russian forces recently advanced near Kupyansk, Lyman, and Toretsk.
• The Kremlin continues efforts to incentivize Russian citizens to serve in the military.

It seems that the reforms announced so far are aimed at attracting younger recruits, not conscripting them.

The manpower issue is even more critical than I thought, as I discovered in this WSJ article.

It’s Russian Men Against Ukrainian Machines on the Battlefields in Ukraine - Desperately short of infantry, Kyiv is using aerial drones to pick off Russian infantry. It is slowing, but not stopping, the Russian advance. An air-reconnaissance team with a drone near the front-line city of Pokrovsk, Ukraine, last month.

The Ukrainians are outnumbered by at least five to one, which is grossly insufficient to mount a credible defense. The drones are helping, but drones can't hold ground, and they become almost useless once the Russians take a village or town.

Without more troops, there's a serious risk of Ukrainian defenses collapsing. This is a war of national survival.

So sad for Ukraine. Russia kidnapping their children and now their 18 year olds being encouraged to fight. Just heartbreaking to stay alive.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-9-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Russia continues to leverage its partnerships with US adversaries, including North Korea, to offset the resource shortages constraining Russia's economy and war effort.
• The arrival of North Korean workers to Russia demonstrates how Russia, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), is violating UNSC Resolution 2397.
• North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un continues to reiterate his support for Russia and its war effort in Ukraine.
• German authorities reportedly failed to down suspected Russian reconnaissance drones flying near a German military facility in January 2025 where Ukrainian forces have undergone training.
• Russia appears to be leveraging the technological innovations it is developing in its war in Ukraine directly against NATO states.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Vovchansk.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka.
• Russia continues efforts to recruit Russians and citizens of other Commonwealth of Independent State (CIS) countries to sign military service contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD).

Live:Ukraine

❗️Russia neither confirms nor denies Trump-Putin phone call.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that communications between Russia and the U.S. take place through various channels.

“As the U.S. administration expands its operations in Washington, multiple communications emerge through different channels. And, of course, amid these many interactions, I personally may not be aware of something. Therefore, in this case, I can neither confirm nor deny it,” Peskov said.

▪️^The New York Post previously reported that Trump, in an exclusive interview, claimed he had already spoken with Putin.
^
🇰🇵 🇷🇺North Korea sent 13,221 workers to Russia in 2024 – Yonhap

According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea sent 13,221 workers to Russia in 2024—roughly 12 times more than in 2023.

Due to Russia’s manpower shortage, as many men are fighting in Ukraine, North Korean citizens have been deployed to construction sites across Russia.

Notably, 7,887 individuals entered the country under the pretext of education, suggesting that North Korea and Russia may be using student visas to facilitate their entry.

Under a 2017 UN Security Council resolution, adopted in response to North Korea’s weapons tests, Pyongyang is prohibited from sending its citizens to work abroad. All North Korean workers were supposed to return home by December 2019.

🔹German army detects suspicious drones over Ukrainian training base, investigates possible espionage – Süddeutsche Zeitung

According to an internal report cited for the first time by Süddeutsche Zeitung, the German military has once again detected suspicious drones flying over a base where Ukrainian soldiers are being trained, prompting an investigation into possible espionage.

The report states that unidentified drones were spotted six times over the Schwenzin base in January. Despite the use of jamming devices, the German army was unable to force the drones to land or locate their operators.

🔸 The Baltic states have fully synchronized with the European power grid.

Earlier, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia disconnected from the Russian and Belarusian energy system—a move they had been planning since 2017.

🔹 President Volodymyr Zelensky gave an interview to the British broadcaster ITV News. Here are the key points:

🔴�*Kursk operation. Ukraine has captured over 1,000 Russians, which has helped unlock prisoner exchanges. Currently, 60,000 Russian troops and 7,000–8,000 North Korean soldiers are fighting in Kursk region.

🔴�_Ending the war. There is every possibility to end it in 2025. This requires joint action with the EU, implementing strong, loophole-free sanctions, and providing security guarantees to ensure the war does not happen again.

🔴�_Just peace. Without reliable security guarantees, Putin will return with war. It is crucial that Russia has no chance to do so.

🔴�_Elections in Ukraine. Zelensky is not afraid of elections but says that “everyone is against it.” There is no clear understanding of how military personnel, people in occupied territories, and those abroad would vote.

🔴�_Negotiations. The president is ready for any format of negotiations with Russia, but only if there is confidence that the U.S. and the EU will not abandon Ukraine.

🔹 Zelensky: Ukraine’s Victory Plan could serve as the basis for Trump’s proposal to end the war

President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that Ukraine’s proposed Victory Plan could form the foundation of Donald Trump’s strategy for resolving the Russia-Ukraine war.

When asked how he would react if Trump proposed an unacceptable peace deal for Ukraine, Zelensky emphasized:

“We cannot be in confrontation with the United States. It would not benefit us, a country at war, and it would not benefit President Trump. A victory for Putin is not in his interest. If, God forbid, there were a confrontation between Ukraine and America, I don’t even want to think about it, because the only one who would benefit is Putin. A victory for Putin is a defeat for the Western world—both Europe and America.”

🔸 Trump’s National Security Advisor: Europe should provide Ukraine with security guarantees, while the U.S. should recoup military aid costs

U.S. National Security Advisor to Trump, Waltz, stated that Europe should take responsibility for Ukraine’s security guarantees after the war, while the United States should recover its military aid expenses, particularly through partnerships in rare-earth metals extraction.

Waltz did not directly confirm Trump’s reported phone call with Putin but noted that next week, discussions on the Russia-Ukraine war will take place among U.S. leadership in Europe.

He also emphasized the need to bring all parties to the negotiating table.

🔹 Elon Musk calls for shutting down “Radio Free Europe” and “Voice of America.”

“Voice of America” currently operates in more than 40 languages, while “Radio Free Europe” broadcasts in 20 countries—both media outlets are often referenced in the context of the fight against the Soviet Union.

Notably, Russia has long designated these media as “foreign agents.”

🔸 Trump claims the U.S. is “making progress” in negotiations with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine.

Speaking to journalists, Trump confirmed he had spoken with Putin but refused to disclose any details.

“Yes, there was a conversation. And I expect to have many more. We need to end this war,” he stated.

Reuters notes that this may be the first officially acknowledged conversation between Putin and a U.S. president since early 2022.

“I believe we are making progress. We want to stop the Ukraine-Russia war,” Trump added.

🔹 Drones attack Afipsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai

Local reports indicate at least 10 explosions. In Krasnodar, residential buildings were damaged due to Russian air defense activity. No casualties have been reported so far.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claims to have shot down 15 drones, including seven over Krasnodar Krai.

^The Afipsky oil refinery is one of Russia’s key facilities, with an annual capacity of 6.25 million tons of oil.
^
🇺🇸🇺🇦 U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Zelensky to hold bilateral meeting during the Munich Security Conference, which begins on February 14 – CBS News.^
^
🔸 Russian security forces were ordered to torture Ukrainian POWs after the full-scale invasion – The Wall Street Journal

According to The Wall Street Journalal*_, prison staff holding Ukrainian prisoners of war were given full authority to carry out torture. Ukrainian captives were subjected to electric shocks to their genitals and entire bodies, and were denied medical treatment, leading to forced amputations.

At least one Ukrainian POW died from sepsis due to these conditions.

The United Nations has confirmed the systemic torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war, while Russia has refused to comment on the WSJ report.

🇩🇪 German chancellor candidates Scholz and Merz supportrt_ continued military aid to Ukraine during TV debate.*

During televised debates, Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Friedrich Merz (CDU) emphasized the need to continue military support for Ukraine.

Regarding NATO membership as a security guarantee, Scholz stated that the U.S. government rejects this option, and he personally does not see it as feasible in the current situation.

Merz agreed that Ukraine’s accession to NATO is impossible while the war continues. However, he supports supplying Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, though he stressed that any decision on their delivery should be coordinated within the EU.

🇱🇻 Latvia orders Patria 6x6 armored personnel carriers for Ukraine.

Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds announceded*_ the purchase.

The exact number of vehicles has not been disclosed, but they are expected to arrive for Ukrainian forces this year.

🇨🇳 Chinese leader Xi Jinping accepts Russia’s invitation to Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.

According to Russian media, Xi has agreed to attend, though China has not officially commented on this information. His last visit to Moscow was in March 2023.

On May 9, Moscow is also expecting visits from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

🇩🇪 Murder of Ukrainian soldiers in Germany: Russian suspect confesses.

In April 2024, the suspect and two Ukrainian soldiers, who were undergoing rehabilitation after injuries in Murnau, Germany, were drinking together at a bar. They began arguing over Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

According to investigators, the Russian felt “offended in his national pride” during the dispute. He then stabbed both Ukrainians to death and fled but was later arrested.

“Now, in a sober state, I deeply regret what happened,” he stated in court.

🇺🇸 Trump administration’s freeze on foreign funding impacts efforts to hold Russia accountable for war crimes in Ukraine – Reuters.

According to a Ukrainian document reviewed by the agency, six projects under the Prosecutor General’s Office worth a total of $89 million are at stake.

At least five of these projects have already been frozen, sources say. The affected initiatives range from preserving battlefield evidence to anti-corruption efforts and prosecutorial system reforms in Ukraine.

Two of the listed projects were funded by USAID, three by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and one directly by the State Department.

United 24 Media:

🔹 Brussels bureaucrats have destroyed Europe. That’s why our money is being sent to Ukraine, to a hopeless war, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said at a summit of the EU’s far-right forces in Madrid.

Orban compared aid to Ukraine to “the robbery of Europe” and criticized the EU’s migration policy.

“Because of Brussels, the European economy is sinking. Because of Brussels, Europe has been flooded with migrants. Brussels opened the borders to an influx of migrants.
George Soros said a million migrants must be allowed into Europe every year. And here we are—nine million have arrived in the past nine years.
The influx of migrants, population replacement—this is no longer a conspiracy theory but reality.
It’s time to look for new conspiracy theories because the old ones have already come true,” he said.

🔸 Russians and North Koreans are once again storming the Kursk region, changing tactics, the 47th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade reported.

The brigade emphasized that Ukrainian soldiers continue to hold the contact line firmly, with all units of the 47th Brigade engaging the enemy.

❗️US President Donald Trump said he had spoken with Vladimir Putin, the New York Post reports.

In an interview, Trump reportedly said he would “prefer not to say” how many times they had spoken. According to him, Putin “wants people to stop dying” on the battlefield. It was not specified when the conversation took place.

Trump again stated that he has a specific plan to end the war but did not disclose details. The Kremlin said it could neither confirm nor deny the conversation.

🔹 Russian air terror relies on three factors: sanctions evasion, high oil prices, and a shortage of Ukrainian long-range missiles and drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

“This week, the Russians launched more than 1,260 aerial bombs, nearly 750 strike drones, and over ten missiles of various types against our people.

Russian military production, which enables such terror, depends on three things: sanctions evasion, without which Russia wouldn’t have critical components; high oil prices, which should be lowered; and an insufficient number of our long-range missiles and drones.

We are grateful to all partners tightening sanctions. More global efforts are needed to weaken Russia’s oil industry.

We will continue increasing our missile and drone production and urge all partners to invest in Ukraine’s defense industry—an investment in saving lives.”

🔹 Unknown UAVs were spotted observing Ukrainian Armed Forces training on Patriot air defense systems at a military base in Germany, Süddeutsche Zeitung reports.

Citing the country’s Defense Ministry, the publication states that six such incidents were recorded in January. Attempts to shoot down the drones, including electronic warfare measures, were unsuccessful.

The article suggests the UAVs may have been launched from ships in the North or Baltic Seas, with Russia as the main suspect.

🔸 Zelenskyy is ready to talk to Putin if the U.S. and Europe “don’t abandon” Ukraine.

When asked whether he would agree to freeze the current contact line with security guarantees, he responded, “We’ll see what kind.”

He emphasized that he does not want to freeze the front line, as “several of our cities, which are cut off by this contact line today, will suffer.”

🔹 The United States will discuss ways to end Russia’s war against Ukraine with its partners this week, said Mike Waltz, the U.S. president’s national security adviser.

He stated that the consultations will involve Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg.

“President Trump wants to end the war in Ukraine. As for security guarantees, that decision is entirely up to the Europeans,” he said.

🔸 North Korea sent thousands of construction workers to Russia last year, according to South Korean intelligence.

In 2024, 13,200 North Korean workers entered Russia—12 times more than in 2023.

UN Security Council resolutions prohibit Pyongyang from sending its citizens to work abroad, but it circumvents the ban by using educational visas.

🔹 The German military suspects Russia of espionage after unidentified drones were spotted over the air base in Schwesing, Süddeutsche Zeitung reports.

The base hosts German instructors training Ukrainian soldiers on Patriot anti-missile systems. In total, six unidentified drones were seen near the facility between January 9 and 29. Despite using electronic countermeasures, including HP47 jammers, the Bundeswehr was unable to shoot them down or locate their operators.

The German military classified the incidents as potential espionage and alerted intelligence services. The Süddeutsche Zeitung notes that the drones appeared technologically advanced, not standard commercial models, raising suspicions of state involvement. Some officials believe they may have been launched from ships in the North or Baltic Seas.

Similar drone activity has been observed near other military sites, including the U.S. air base at Ramstein, a key NATO logistics hub. In response, the German government is drafting a law amendment to allow the Bundeswehr to shoot down suspicious drones.

The incidents expose weaknesses in Germany’s drone defense. Internal reports indicate that key anti-drone systems, such as Wingman and RADIS, failed to respond effectively. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called drone protection a priority but admitted progress has been slow. Following the Schwesing incidents, Germany has deployed additional detection and jamming equipment at the base.

🔸 European countries are secretly discussing a large-scale operation to counter Russia’s shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea, Politico reports.

EU countries are also drafting new legislation to give the effort legal backing. According to two European officials, proposals include detaining ships under international law on environmental or piracy grounds. If that fails, countries may act independently, introducing national laws to seize more vessels at sea.

“Almost 50% of sanctioned Russian oil trade passes through the Gulf of Finland… There are environmental threats, there are attacks on our underwater infrastructure… Now the question is what can we do with these ships? We can’t block the whole sea, but we can control more… There are many possibilities,” said Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.

The discussions reflect growing frustration over Russia’s continued oil transport and sanctions evasion through an expanding shadow fleet. Much of this activity takes place in European waters, right under the EU’s watch.

However, implementing these plans will be difficult. Maritime experts warn of potential legal retaliation from Russia, high financial costs, and complex logistics. Navigating global shipping laws will also be a challenge.

Isaac Levy, head of Russia-Europe at the Center for Energy and Clean Air Research, says the shadow fleet now carries over 80% of Russia’s oil exports.

The Baltic Sea plays a key role in this trade. Ships load Russian oil in ports like Ust-Luga near St. Petersburg, then transit through the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea into the North Sea.

Levy reports that 348 shadow fleet ships left Baltic ports last year, making up 40% of Russia’s total oil sales—equivalent to a third of Moscow’s annual defense budget.

Beyond the EU’s plans to blacklist 74 shadow fleet tankers, Nordic and Baltic countries are also exploring legal options to seize more Russian-linked vessels, officials and diplomats said.

🇲🇩 The Moldovan government stated that the authorities of unrecognized Transnistria, under pressure from Moscow, refused the EU’s proposed €60 million in aid to address the energy crisis. However, gas will still be supplied to the region.

Prime Minister Dorin Recean said the supply will come from Hungary’s MET Gas and Energy Marketing AG, with funding from Dubai’s JNX General Trading. Russian media previously reported that this money effectively comes from Russia, so Russia uses energy system as a tool everywhere.

🔹 Moscow plans to create an Eurasian trading bloc to compete with the US, EU, and China, Financial Times reports.

Details of the plan are outlined in an April 2024 report presented at a strategic session led by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The meeting included high-ranking officials, heads of major state-owned companies, and ideologists such as Alexander Dugin and Sergei Karaganov, who previously suggested a preemptive nuclear strike on Europe.

Russian authorities see the creation of this trade “macroregion” as a long-term project designed to outlast negotiations with the West over Ukraine and strengthen Moscow’s global position. The report cites Belarus as the most successful example of deepening economic ties and Russian influence.

The bloc is expected to link Russia with countries of the Global South, forming “a common worldview in which we write the rules for the new world and have our own sanctions policy.”

However, the report also highlights significant challenges. It notes that Western pressure has forced Central Asian countries to comply with sanctions through a mix of incentives and threats. Additionally, Moscow’s allies have exploited the situation to push Russian businesses out of their markets, seize control of trade flows, and relocate production outside Russia.

🔸 Ukraine and the European Investment Bank have signed agreements to finance the rehabilitation of energy and critical infrastructure. Under the first agreement, the EIB is providing EUR 16.5 million.

The second agreement paves the way for EUR 100 million for the rehabilitation of water, heating and wastewater facilities, as well as for the modernization of basic social services in the education, healthcare and housing sectors.

Overall, the EIB’s project portfolio in Ukraine is one of the largest and consists of 25 projects worth EUR 4.95 billion. These projects are in the fields of transport, social infrastructure and energy.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Russia massing troops (kyivindependent.com/russian-forces-massing-troops-for-assault-on-chasiv-yar-ukrainian-military-says/) for new assaults in Chasiv Yar, military warns.
"Now there is a period of accumulation and concentration (of Russian forces)... on the approaches to Chasiv Yar and regrouping in the town itself for further assault operations," Zaporozhets said on national television.

⚡️NABU confirms (kyivindependent.com/pre-trial-investigation-ongoing-national-anti-corruption-bureau-looking-into-umerovs-potential-abuse-of-power-office-position/) 'pre-trial investigation' of Defense Minister Umerov over potential abuse of power.

As US cuts Ukraine funding, EU's lending arm steps in with nearly 1 billion euros in investments (kyivindependent.com/as-us-cuts-ukraine-funding-eus-lending-arm-steps-in-with-nearly-1-billion-euros-in-investments/)
The European Union's lending arm, the European Investment Bank (EIB), has signed agreements to mobilize close to 1 billion euros ($1.03 billion) in investments into Ukraine’s public and private sectors as the U.S. moves to cut funding to development projects in the country.

Trump's team to visit (kyivindependent.com/trumps-team-to-visit-ukraine-this-week-zelensky-says/) Ukraine this week, Zelensky says.

⚡️Kellogg 'preparing options (kyivindependent.com/kellogg-preparing-options-for-ending-war-in-ukraine-to-present-to-trump-media-reports/)' for ending war in Ukraine to present to Trump, media reports.

⚡️Romanian President Iohannis announces resignation (https://kyivindependent.com/romanian-president-announces-resignation/) to avert political crisis
Far-right opposition parties submitted, for the third time, an initiative to the Romanian parliament to impeach the president, as Iohannis remained in office longer than the prescribed term after the results of the country's first round of presidential election had been annulled.

⚡️ Trump signs 25% tariff on steel (kyivindependent.com/trump-signs-executive-order-imposing-25-tariffs-on-all-steel-aluminum-imports/), aluminum imports; Ukraine's economy to feel the effect.

⚡️ EU vows retaliatory measures (kyivindependent.com/eu-vows-retaliatory-measures-as-trump-announces-25-tariffs-on-steel-aluminum/) [...]

⚡️ ‘Ukraine may be Russian someday,’ Trump suggests (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-may-be-russian-someday-trump-suggests-while-announcing-500-billion-rare-earth-agreement/) while announcing $500 billion rare earth 'agreement.'
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Ukraine may or may not lose its sovereignty to Russia, adding he wants compensation for the provided U.S. aid regardless of how the war ends.
"I told them (Ukraine) that I want the equivalent of like $500 billion worth of rare earth (minerals), and they’ve essentially agreed to do that," the U.S. president said.

⚡️ US to consult allies on Ukraine peace plan, seeks European arms purchases for Kyiv, media report. (kyivindependent.com/us-to-consult-allies-on-ukraine-peace-plan-seeks-european-weapons-purchases-media-reports/)
The Trump administration has paused the development of a Ukraine peace plan to hold consultations with European allies, The Telegraph reported.
The U.S. is also exploring ways to continue arming Ukraine without significantly increasing U.S. spending, according to Reuters. One approach reportedly under discussion is encouraging European allies to purchase more American weapons for Kyiv.

⚡️ North Korea has sent (kyivindependent.com/north-korea-sends-200-long-range-artillery-units-to-russia-seoul-says/) 200 long-range artillery guns to Russia, Seoul says.

Russian officials are concerned that the Western sanctions are undermining Russia's economic influence over countries in its close neighborhood and the Global South, the Financial Times reported on Feb. 10, citing a leaked government report.
Moscow is reportedly attempting to restore its position and access to global trade by placing itself at the center of a Eurasian trade bloc that would rival the economic influence of the U.S., EU, and China.

⚡️EU to review (kyivindependent.com/eu-to-review-its-foreign-aid-programs-amid-us-decision-to-reform-usaid/) its foreign aid programs amid US decision to reform USAID.

⚡️EU to review (https://kyivindependent.com/eu-to-review-its-foreign-aid-programs-amid-us-decision-to-reform-usaid/) its foreign aid programs amid US decision to reform USAID.

⚡️ Ukraine to receive (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-receive-patria-6x6-armored-vehicles-from-latvia-by-2025-ministry-says/) Patria 6x6 armored vehicles from Latvia this year.

⚡️ Ukraine approves high-speed Baton drones (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-approves-high-speed-baton-drones-for-battlefield-deployment/) for battlefield deployment.
The Baton drones are designed to meet military requirements for simplicity and reliability in difficult battlefield conditions. Built on frames of various sizes, they boast high-speed capabilities, allowing them to catch up with and strike targets, the Defense Ministry said.

⚡️US Congressman proposes bill to restore (kyivindependent.com/us-congressman-proposes-bill-to-restore-lend-lease-for-ukraine-program/) lend-lease for Ukraine program.
U.S. Republican Congressman Joe Wilson announced his plan to introduce the Freedom First Lend-Lease Act to Congress, on Feb. 10.
Reauthorizing this program would grant U.S. President Donald Trump the authority to send Ukraine weapons through lend-lease.

⚡️ Russia records worst-ever ranking (kyivindependent.com/russia-records-worst-ever-ranking-in-corruption-perceptions-index-report-shows/) in key corruption index.
Russia ranked 154th out of 180 countries in Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index published on Feb. 11, marking its worst performance since the index introduced its current ranking in 2012.
Russia was given a score of 22 points, with a lower number of points indicating higher corruption perceptions. In 2023, Transparency International placed Russia 141st with a score of 26 points.

⚡️ Scholz, Merz agree on continued support (kyivindependent.com/scholz-merz-agree-on-germanys-continued-support-for-ukraine/) for Ukraine ahead of German elections.

⚡️Lithuania to allocate (kyivindependent.com/lithuania-to-allocate-32-million-for-education-of-ukrainian-refugees/) $32 million for education of Ukrainian refugees.

⚡️ Drone strike reportedly targets (kyivindependent.com/drones-reportedly-target-russias-key-saratov-oil-refinery/) Russia's key Saratov oil refinery.

https://kyivindependent.com/the-counteroffensive-inside-ukraines-historic-first-all-drone-assault-on-russian-positions/

⚡️ Transnistria rejects (kyivindependent.com/transnistria-rejects-eu-aid-offer-under-moscow-pressure-moldovan-pm-says/) EU aid offer under Moscow's pressure, Moldova's PM says.

⚡️Illegal border crossing attempts in Ukraine have nearly halved (kyivindependent.com/illegal-border-crossing-attempts-have-nearly-halved-since-last-summer-ukraines-border-guard-says/) since last summer, Border Guard says.

⚡️Ukraine considering offering (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-considering-uah-1-million-salary-free-education-preferred-mortgage-rates-for-young-volunteer-fighters-media-reports/) high annual salary, free education, interest-free mortgage rates for young volunteer fighters, media reports.

⚡️US foreign aid freeze threatens (kyivindependent.com/us-foreign-aid-freeze-threatens-russian-war-crimes-investigatin-in-ukraine-reuters-reports/) Russian war crimes investigations in Ukraine, Reuters reports.

⚡️Russian soldiers wounded in war in Ukraine receive treatment, rehabilitation (https://kyivindependent.com/russian-soldiers-wounded-in-war-in-ukraine-receive-treatment-rehabilitation-in-north-korea-ambassador-says/) in North Korea, ambassador says.
Treatment for the Russian military in North Korea is provided free of charge in "the best hospitals and sanatoriums," Alexander Matsegora, Russia's ambassador to North Korea said in an interview on Feb. 9, adding that "hundreds" of wounded had been sent to North Korea.

⚡️ Czech authorities investigating (kyivindependent.com/czech-authorities-investigating-drone-shipments-to-ukraine/) allegations of unauthorized drone shipments to Ukraine. The investigation is focused on the Nemesis project, organized by the Skupina D association, which has been raising funds to procure drones for Ukraine.
According to media outlet Aktualne, members of Skupina D are suspected of supplying drones to Ukraine, possibly with the involvement of Czech military personnel, without authorization from the parliament.

⚡️Ukraine's stocks hit (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-stocks-hit-pre-war-levels-on-the-warsaw-stock-exchange-polish-media-reports/) pre-war levels on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, Polish media reports.

⚡️Russian man admits (kyivindependent.com/russian-suspected-of-killing-two-war-wounded-ukrainian-soldiers-in-germany-pleads-guilty-in-court/) to killing two war-wounded Ukrainian soldiers in Germany.

⚡️Russian court sentences soldier for killing (kyivindependent.com/russian-court-sentences-soldier-to-life-in-prison-for-allegedly-shooting-4-other-soldiers/) 4 other servicemen, Mediazona reports.

⚡️ 6 injured in Russian airstrike (kyivindependent.com/6-injured-in-russian-airstrike-on-kharkiv-oblast-town/) on Kharkiv Oblast village, including child.

⚡️ 3 killed, 17 injured in Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/attacks-125/) across Ukraine over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪ - FEB 11, 2025
■ Heavy fighting: Engagements, casualties & equipment losses all well above the 7-day average
■ Record drone losses (752 in the last seven days)
■ Most 🇷🇺 strikes this year so far as well

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

❗️Russia launched a combined missile strike on gas production facilities in the Poltava region. Up to 19 cruise, ballistic, and guided aircraft missiles were used.
The types of missiles and the results of the attack are being clarified.

Ukraine and the European Investment Bank have signed agreements to finance the rehabilitation of energy and critical infrastructure. Under the first agreement, the EIB is providing EUR 16.5 million.

How Can the West Counter Russia’s Artillery Advantage? (united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/how-can-the-west-counter-russias-artillery-advantage-5756)
Russia has ramped up artillery production since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, outpacing Western allies in sheer volume. While NATO and Ukraine’s partners are working to also scale up its production, will it be enough to counter Moscow’s war machine?

The Trump administration’s freeze on foreign funding has impacted investigations into Russian war crimes in Ukraine, Reuters reports.
The cuts affect six U.S.-funded projects under Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office, totaling $89 million. These initiatives have supported battlefield evidence preservation, anti-corruption efforts, and prosecutorial reform.
According to informed sources, funding for at least five of these projects has already been frozen. Two were backed by USAID, three by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and one by the U.S. State Department.

European countries are secretly discussing a large-scale operation to counter Russia’s shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea, Politico reports.
EU countries are also drafting new legislation to give the effort legal backing. According to two European officials, proposals include detaining ships under international law on environmental or piracy grounds. If that fails, countries may act independently, introducing national laws to seize more vessels at sea.
“Almost 50% of sanctioned Russian oil trade passes through the Gulf of Finland [...]
However, implementing these plans will be difficult. Maritime experts warn of potential legal retaliation from Russia, high financial costs, and complex logistics. Navigating global shipping laws will also be a challenge.
Isaac Levy, head of Russia-Europe at the Center for Energy and Clean Air Research, says the shadow fleet now carries over 80% of Russia’s oil exports.
The Baltic Sea plays a key role in this trade. Ships load Russian oil in ports like Ust-Luga near St. Petersburg, then transit through the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea into the North Sea.
Levy reports that 348 shadow fleet ships left Baltic ports last year, making up 40% of Russia’s total oil sales—equivalent to a third of Moscow’s annual defense budget.
Beyond the EU’s plans to blacklist 74 shadow fleet tankers, Nordic and Baltic countries are also exploring legal options to seize more Russian-linked vessels, officials and diplomats said.

Moscow plans to create a Eurasian trading bloc to compete with the US, EU, and China, Financial Times reports.
Details of the plan are outlined in an April 2024 report presented at a strategic session led by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The meeting included high-ranking officials, heads of major state-owned companies, and ideologists such as Alexander Dugin and Sergei Karaganov, who previously suggested a preemptive nuclear strike on Europe.
Russian authorities see the creation of this trade “macroregion” as a long-term project designed to outlast negotiations with the West over Ukraine and strengthen Moscow’s global position. The report cites Belarus as the most successful example of deepening economic ties and Russian influence.
The bloc is expected to link Russia with countries of the Global South, forming “a common worldview in which we write the rules for the new world and have our own sanctions policy.”
However, the report also highlights significant challenges. It notes that Western pressure has forced Central Asian countries to comply with sanctions through a mix of incentives and threats. Additionally, Moscow’s allies have exploited the situation to push Russian businesses out of their markets, seize control of trade flows, and relocate production outside Russia.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Ukraine has developed its first reactive flamethrower system, an analogue to Russia’s Heavy Flamethrower Systems “Soncepyok” and “Buratino,” — Lieutenant Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Serhiy Misyura.

Another bad night for Russian industry as Ukrainian drones launch massive strikes on the Saratov oil refinery and Engels airbase.
www.kyivpost.com/post/46911

Canadians are perplexed by Donald Trump’s sudden targeting of their staunchest ally. Many Ukrainians in Canada, however, suspect there might be an element of Russian influence over the actions.
www.kyivpost.com/post/46848

Trump just claimed that Ukraine “essentially agreed” to exchange $500 billion worth of rare earth minerals for Washington’s continued backing — a colossal amount that exceeds both total US aid to Ukraine and Ukraine’s entire GDP.

Slovak PM Robert Fico sent a letter to Elon Musk, slamming USAID for funding NGOs in Slovakia and congratulating Musk on his recent decisions.
www.kyivpost.com/post/46920

Torture orders from the top. Russian prison officials instructed guards to be more brutal with Ukrainian POWs and lifted all limits on violence — WSJ
Guards targeted the same wounds, preventing healing and risking deadly infections.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇺🇸 U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth to tour Europe for talks on the war in Ukraine.
Hegseth will participate in the Ramstein meeting for the first time. This session will be the first under the new Trump administration and the first led by the UK instead of the U.S.

🇳🇴 The Norwegian Refugee Council halts aid in nearly 20 countries, including Ukraine, for the first time in history.
This is due to the U.S. suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). As a result, the U.S. has stopped, partially halted, or failed to reimburse funding for global emergency relief programs, with consequences expected worldwide.
In Ukraine, the Norwegian Refugee Council has already stopped providing emergency aid to 57,000 people in frontline communities, which was planned for February. The organization noted that people are now unable to heat their homes or access essential goods, such as food.

💡Emergency power outages introduced in Ukraine due to massive missile attack
They will be lifted once the air raid alert ends and the energy system stabilizes.

According to The Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com/world/russia/russia-prisons-ukranian-pow-torture-52df7908), prison staff holding Ukrainian prisoners of war were given full authority to carry out torture. Ukrainian captives were subjected to electric shocks to their genitals and entire bodies, and were denied medical treatment, leading to forced amputations.
At least one Ukrainian POW died from sepsis due to these conditions.
The United Nations has confirmed the systemic torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war, while Russia has refused to comment on the WSJ report.

🇺🇸 U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth to tour Europe for talks on the war in Ukraine.
Hegseth will participate in the Ramstein meeting for the first time. This session will be the first under the new Trump administration and the first led by the UK instead of the U.S

Best outcome is they get him to sit in the corner with his colouring books whilst the grownups talk. I suspect it’s more likely the orange toddler’s minion will run his tricycle right through the sandbox destroying all the hard work.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-10-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced the Ukrainian "Drone Line" project on February 10 as part of ongoing Ukrainian efforts to integrate drone and ground operations.
• Ukraine's efforts to integrate drone operations with ground operations significantly differ from Russian efforts to centralize drone units.
• Ukrainian forces continue to target oil refineries in Russia as part of an ongoing strike campaign against Russian defense industrial enterprises and oil refineries.
• Russian authorities reportedly authorized the systematic torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) held in Russian prisons as early as March 2022.
• The Kremlin may be setting informational conditions to justify an influx of North Korean citizens arriving in Russia to join either the Russian workforce or the Russian military.
• A Russian official claimed that Russia is sending experienced Russian military personnel to North Korea for medical treatment.
• The pro-Russian Moldovan breakaway republic of Transnistria refused aid from the EU to resolve its gas crisis, demonstrating Russia's continued economic influence over Transnistria and the Kremlin's prioritization of the region.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk.
• Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Chasiv Yar and Pokrovsk.
• Russian milbloggers continue to complain about the systemic issue of Russian forces submitting false reports to Russian military authorities and of high-level Russian officers micromanaging tactical-level units on the battlefield.

For all of his shortcomings, Hegseth was a decent soldier. I hope that his position in the chain of command will help him carry out his role with dignity and effectiveness.

We will see.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c15z8983kvzo.amp some good news.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Ukraine could trade territory in potential peace talks (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-plans-to-exchange-territories-in-case-trump-manages-to-get-ukraine-russia-to-negotiating-table/) with Russia, Zelensky says.

⚡️ US Treasury Secretary to visit Ukraine this week (kyivindependent.com/us-treasury-secretary-to-visit-ukraine-this-week-for-talks-on-critical-minerals-deal-bloomberg-reports/) for talks on critical minerals deal, Bloomberg reports.

Ukraine’s army is reforming its structure (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-army-switching-to-corps-system-how-will-it-change-situation-on-battlefield/). Will it help the fight against Russia?
As Ukraine nears the fourth year of full-scale war with Russia, it is launching a major army reform aimed at improving its efficiency and organization on the battlefield.

⚡️ US won't send troops to Ukraine, (kyivindependent.com/us-wont-send-troops-to-ukraine-pentagons-chief-says/) Pentagon chief says.
The U.S. plans to review the deployment of its troops around the world but is not going to send them to Ukraine, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a press conference on Feb. 11.

⚡️Russia may find opportunity (kyivindependent.com/russia-may-find-opportunity-to-launch-large-scale-war-on-europe-within-5-years-danish-intelligence-warns/) to launch large-scale war on Europe within 5 years, Danish intelligence warns.
Russia may find the opportunity to launch a large-scale war on Europe within five years if Moscow "perceives NATO as militarily weakened or politically divided," particularly if the U.S. is unwilling to protect its European allies, an intelligence assessment from the Danish Defense Intelligence Service warned.

⚡️ German Navy facing sabotage attempts (kyivindependent.com/germanys-navy-sees-sabotage-attempts-amid-war-in-ukraine-navy-chief-says/), navy chief says; warns of Russian threat.
The incidents included infiltration attempts at naval bases from land and sea, as well as direct damage to vessels, German Navy Commander-in-Chief Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack said.

⚡️Russia offers to produce (kyivindependent.com/russia-offers-to-produce-advanced-stealth-fighter-jet-for-indian-air-force-reuters-reports/) advanced stealth fighter jet for Indian Air Force, Reuters reports.
Russia has offered to manufacture its fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter jet for the Indian Air Force amid deepening ties between Moscow and New Delhi, Reuters reported on Feb. 11, citing two officials.

⚡️ US envoy in Moscow holds talks (kyivindependent.com/ryabkov-meets-us-envoy/) with Russian deputy FM.

⚡️ Chinese refiners offered discounted Russian oil (kyivindependent.com/chinese-refiners-offered-discounted-russian-oil-as-us-sanctions-deter-buyers-bloomberg-reports/) as US sanctions deter buyers, Bloomberg reports.
Chinese refiners are being offered Russian ESPO crude at discounted prices as rising concerns over U.S. sanctions create logistical and administrative challenges, deterring buyers, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 11.

⚡️ Ukraine secures $58 million grant (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-secures-58-million-grant-from-japan-for-rebuilding-projects-pm-shmyhal-says/) from Japan for reconstruction.

A slipping CPI score signals Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts are stagnating (kyivindependent.com/a-slipping-cpi-score-signals-ukraines-anti-corruption-efforts-are-stagnating/)
Ukraine's drop in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index signals stagnation in anti-corruption efforts, underscoring the need for systemic change amid the ongoing war and EU integration commitments, writes Transparency International Executive Director Andrii Borovyk in his op-ed.

⚡️Trump envoy who negotiated prisoner release secretly assigned (https://kyivindependent.com/trump-envoy-who-negotiated-prisoner-release-secretly-assigned-to-help-end-ukraine-war-nyt-reports/) to help end Ukraine war, NYT reports. U.S. President Donald Trump directed billionaire Steve Witkoff, his close friend and special envoy to the Middle East, to play a role in the Russia-Ukraine peace process, multiple sources told the New York Times.

⚡️Defense Ministry building testing ground for new AI-powered demining (kyivindependent.com/defense-ministry-initiating-construction-of-testing-ground-for-new-demining-ai-powered-technologies/) tech.

⚡️ Ukraine's parliament approves (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-parliament-approves-controversial-purchase-of-russian-nuclear-reactors-from-bulgaria/) controversial purchase of Russian nuclear reactors from Bulgaria.
Some lawmakers have criticized the deal, arguing that the reactors are obsolete and expensive.

⚡️US, UK, Australia sanction Russian cyber firm (kyivindependent.com/us-uk-australia-sanction-russian-cyber-firm-zservers-over-ransomware-attacks/) Zservers over ransomware attacks.
Zservers, a bulletproof hosting (BPH) services provider, supported the Russian cybercrime group LockBit in perpetrating mass ransomware attacks, the U.S. Treasury Department said.

With cuts looming, it's time to reform (kyivindependent.com/with-cuts-looming-its-time-to-reform-ukraines-humanitarian-aid-system/) Ukraine’s humanitarian aid system
Despite billions in aid, Ukrainian NGOs remain sidelined — donors must finally shift power and funding to local responders, write Yuliia Matviichuk, Nicholas Noe, and Ewa Wieliczko in their op-ed.

⚡️Russia releases imprisoned American teacher (https://kyivindependent.com/russia-releases-imprisoned-american-teacher-in-exchange/) in 'exchange' deal.
U.S. history teacher Marc Fogel was released on Feb. 11 in an "exchange," the White House said. The details of the deal with Russia have not been disclosed.

⚡️Foreign Ministry denounces corruption allegations made by Tucker Carlson. (https://kyivindependent.com/foreign-ministry-denounces-tucker-carlsons-claims-of-corruption/)

⚡️Hungarian deputy FM arrives in Ukraine, demands explanation for 'slander campaign.' (https://kyivindependent.com/hungarian-deputy-foreign-minister-arrives-in-ukraine-demands-explanation-for-slander/)

⚡️ 1 killed, 14 injured in Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/attacks-126/) against Ukraine over past day.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

⚡️ The deployment of European peacekeepers to Ukraine will be a key topic at the Munich Security Conference, The New York Times reports.

🫶 President Zelenskyy: Over $1 billion in charitable donations have been raised through United24 @U24govua thanks to each and every one of you—our ambassadors and everyone who contributes.

The US and Britain have refused to sign a declaration on "ethical AI," The Guardian reports.
US Vice President JD Vance said excessive restrictions could hinder the industry's development at an early stage.
"We need international regulatory mechanisms that will promote AI development, not hold it back. It is important that our European partners view this stage with optimism, not fear," he said.
The document was supported by 61 countries, including China, India, Japan, Australia, and Canada.

🇭🇺 Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that Budapest will support the Lebanese army through the European Peace Fund—an instrument where Hungary continues to block funding for Ukraine.

How Starlink Became Ukraine’s Lifeline in War (united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/how-starlink-became-ukraines-lifeline-in-war-5774)
Russia’s war against Ukraine has underscored the vital need for communication—both for the military and civilians. When the signal goes dark, Starlink keeps Ukraine online—on the battlefield and beyond.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

During yet another Russian attempt to assassinate Zelensky, members of his own team were killed.
“There was pressure from different sides. There were people who wanted to kill [me], there were gunshots. Some people here, inside our office, were killed…”
— Zelensky said. [dear God, he's putting up with this regularly?!]

One less Kremlin ally, as Armenia’s Parliament has just voted to begin the process of joining the EU.

A leak exposes Russia’s plan for a new world order — aiming for long-term regional dominance through a trading bloc to rival the EU. But Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has crushed the vision.
www.kyivpost.com/post/46897

Key Takeaways from the Forum "Democratic Resilience of Ukraine During War and Recovery"
◾️Katarína Mathernová, EU Ambassador to Ukraine:
"This is our war. This is a war about the future of not only Ukraine but also the European security order. Things that were unimaginable three years ago are now a reality—using European peace facilities to support your defense industry."
◾️Sean Boyd, Deputy Head of the Canadian Diplomatic Mission to Ukraine:
"We are always impressed by the resilience and bravery of Ukrainians. Under Canada’s G7 presidency in 2025, Ukraine will remain a priority regardless of political changes in our government. We stand with you and will continue to stand with you."
◾️Alex Sobel, Member of the UK Parliament:
"Your fight for democracy is our fight for democracy. You are not just defending your own country but democracy across Europe and the world."
◾️Vitaliy Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv:
"When the war ends, a third of the troops will return and will need jobs immediately. Elections will begin, and I fear this could lead to dangerous conflicts."
◾️Olena Shulyak, Head of the ‘Servant of the People’ party:
"During wartime, elections cannot be held—primarily because the military must have the right to vote and be elected. We cannot fail them. Such discussions are inappropriate at this stage."
◾️Olha Aivazovska, Head of the Board of the Civil Network OPORA NGO:
"Ukraine remains in the active, intense phase of the war... yet the political process has resumed. If we want to maintain global support, we must begin preparing for the first post-war elections."