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Ukraine Invasion: Part 60

1000 replies

MagicFox · 14/01/2026 12:28

We have got to thread 60. So many thanks as always to regular contributors and to those providing updates. For the 60th time, 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

D. Please keep on topic

OP posts:
Thread gallery
415
MissConductUS · 07/02/2026 16:59

notimagain · 07/02/2026 13:43

It depends....

1.Is the story true?

  1. Is there value in getting the message out there?

Agreed. In the words of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, "sunlight is the best disinfectant."

It also invites knowledgeable debate and criticism, as in the piece I linked yesterday by Ben Hodges.

DdraigGoch · 07/02/2026 22:11

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/05/zelensky-47-russians-died-for-every-ukrainian-last-month/

Telegraph reporting that every Ukrainian casualty takes 47 Russians with them.

MissConductUS · 08/02/2026 00:41

DdraigGoch · 07/02/2026 22:11

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/05/zelensky-47-russians-died-for-every-ukrainian-last-month/

Telegraph reporting that every Ukrainian casualty takes 47 Russians with them.

The Ukrainians know their own KIA numbers but are estimating the Russian ones. And for every soldier KIA, there will be many more too badly wounded to fight, captured, deserted, etc. What matters is the total number of soldiers who are combat ineffective or gone from the ranks.

It is good PR, though.

blueshoes · 08/02/2026 02:18

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-7-2026/

Key Takeaways

  1. Russia launched another massive strike against Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight on February 6 to 7 and specifically targeted substations that support Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPPs).
  2. Russia used the temporary moratorium on energy infrastructure strikes to stockpile drones and missiles for devastating strikes on the nights of February 2 to 3 and February 6 to 7.
  3. The United States is reportedly pushing Ukraine to expedite the negotiations process and agree to a peace agreement while Russia is actively delaying negotiations and rejecting any agreement that does not amount to the complete capitulation of Ukraine.
  4. Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) First Deputy Head Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev is reportedly alive following a February 6 assassination attempt.
  5. Russian forces recently advanced in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area and near Pokrovsk.
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 08/02/2026 14:17

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Update: Russia's mass attack targeted critical nuclear facilties (kyivindependent.com/mass-attack-ukraine-emergency-power-outages/), Zelensky says.
Russia's latest assault on energy infrastructure damaged "facilities crucial to the operation of Ukraine's nuclear power plants," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Feb. 7.
"This is a level of attack that no terrorist in the world has ever dared."

⚡️ Trump lifts extra 25% tariff on India (kyivindependent.com/trump-lifts-extra-25-tariff-on-india/) after pledge to curb Russian oil imports.
India's Ministry of Commerce has not publicly confirmed the White House's claim that New Delhi agreed to halt imports of Russian oil.

⚡️ Ukraine hits 'important' Russian cruise missile fuel plant (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-hits-important-russian-cruise-missile-fuel-plant/) in Tver Oblast, drones spark 'massive fire.'
Data from the FIRMS satellite monitoring service, which tracks fires worldwide in near real time, showed active burning on the plant's territory following the strike.

⚡️Orban declares Ukraine 'enemy' (kyivindependent.com/orban-declares-ukraine-enemy-of-hungary/) of Hungary.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized Ukraine for calling on the EU halt imports of cheap Russian energy. "Anyone who says this is an enemy of Hungary, so Ukraine is our enemy," he said at a rally on Feb. 7.

'Structural shift'— EU ban on Russian gas set to harm Moscow long term, despite loopholes (kyivindependent.com/structural-shift-eu-ban-on-russian-gas-set-to-harm-russia-long-term-despite-loopholes/)
The European Union has approved a long-promised ban on Russian gas imports, a measure meant to lock in the bloc’s shift away from Moscow’s energy supplies nearly four years into Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.
Still, the new ban contains major loopholes, meaning that without full commitment by EU member states, some Russian gas will likely continue to flow into the EU, according to sector experts who spoke to the Kyiv Independent.

⚡️Pro-Ukrainian partisans disable (kyivindependent.com/pro-ukrainian-partisans-disable-military-communication-infrastructure-in-russias-belgorod-oblast-group-claims/) military communication infrastructure in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, group claims.
The pro-Ukrainian Atesh partisan group disabled communication infrastructure in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, the group claimed early on Feb. 8.

⚡️Russia's Belgorod Oblast (kyivindependent.com/russias-belgorod-oblast-faces-blackouts-heating-shortages-for-3rd-time-this-week/) faces blackouts, heating shortages for 3rd time this week.

⚡️Ukraine's Neptune missiles (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-neptune-missiles-strike-energy-facilities-in-russias-bryansk-oblast-governor-claims/) strike energy facilities in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, governor claims.

⚡️ UK reportedly weighs seizure (kyivindependent.com/uk-reportedly-weighs-seizure-of-russian-shadow-fleet-tanker-marking-new-enforcement-tactic/) of Russian shadow fleet tanker, marking new enforcement tactic.

⚡️Ukraine sanctions (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-sanctions-companies-individuals-aiding-russias-weapons-production-sanctions-evasion/) companies, individuals aiding Russia’s weapons production, sanctions evasion
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed two decrees imposing sanctions on individuals and companies involved in supplying components for Russian missiles and drones, as well as those helping Russia circumvent international sanctions, the President’s Office reported on Feb. 8.

⚡️ Ukraine's state postal service under fire for ads (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-state-postal-service-faces-backlash-over-ad-campaign-accused-of-sexualizing-minors/) that appear to sexualize minors.
The controversy erupted after promotional photos appeared on social media showing models styled as schoolgirls in a classroom setting, wearing outfits widely perceived as sexualized versions of high school uniforms.

⚡️Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 4 (kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-against-ukraine-kill-4-injure-30-including-a-child-over-past-day/), injure 30, including a child, over past day

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 5h
⚡️ RUSSIA'S WAR AGAINST UKRAINE — FEB 8, 2026
■ High level of combat engagements; +1k casualties; 438 km² 🇷🇺 gains in the last 30 days
■ Record 7-day equipment and drone losses persist despite relatively low losses yesterday
■ Officer death batch from KIU: +23 - 5.38 per day since the start (unchanged)
■ Overnight 🇷🇺 attacks: 101 drones; 68% intercepted, 14 locations hit or affected by debris
■ Seven 🇺🇦 strikes reported; 🇷🇺/🇺🇦 30-day strike ratio stays below 18.0x

Ukraine Invasion: Part 60
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 08/02/2026 14:20

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

❗️Nuclear safety is under serious threat: all nuclear power plants in Ukraine have halted electricity generation following Russian strikes, — IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

❗️Russia wants the United States to recognize Crimea as Russian, but Ukraine rejects this — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Syrskyi said that in January this year, unmanned units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces neutralized nearly 29,700 occupiers, while Russia recruited about 22,000 personnel into its army during the same month.
He noted that in January, units operating unmanned aviation systems struck 66,200 targets. Ground robotic systems carried out almost a quarter more missions than in December, and Ukraine continues to maintain a certain advantage in the use of FPV drones.

Russia shipped tonnes of cash to Iran in an effort to circumvent international sanctions, — The Telegraph.
A Russian state bank reportedly began shipments to the Islamic Republic totaling about $2.5 billion just days after Donald Trump imposed tough sanctions on Tehran during his first presidential term.
Nearly five tonnes of banknotes were sent in 34 large consignments over four months in 2018.
Each shipment — worth between $57 million and $115 million — was reportedly transferred between Promsvyazbank on Smirnovskaya Street in Moscow and the Central Bank of Iran on Mirdamad Boulevard in Tehran, according to documents obtained by The Telegraph.
The covert payments suggest a much deeper level of cooperation between Russia and Iran than previously believed, indicating that Moscow and Tehran worked together to bypass sanctions and traditional payment systems to support the Iranian regime.

The Russian Federation has launched more than 2,000 strike drones, 1,200 guided aerial bombs, and 116 missiles of various types at Ukrainian cities and villages this week alone, — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

⚡️ Kyiv residents receive electricity for only 1.5–2 hours following the latest shelling — Ministry of Energy

Our engineers are already implementing unique technical solutions. I thank the power engineers who are repairing equipment damaged by Russia around the clock. We continue to supply all necessary equipment from Ministry of Energy hubs,” said Ukraine’s Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal after visiting one of the country’s most important power plants during a trip to the western regions.
“Ukraine is part of the unified European ENTSO-E market. We aim to further increase our electricity import capacity from the EU and, in the future, export electricity to our partners.”

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 08/02/2026 14:23

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Washington is urging speed on peace talks (www.kyivpost.com/post/69617) and elections as territorial disputes, legal barriers and public resistance in Ukraine cast doubt on whether a March deal is realistic.

Ukraine is competing at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games (www.kyivpost.com/post/69643) with its largest delegation in 16 years, fielding 46 athletes across 11 sports despite ongoing disruptions caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The Ukrainian team took part in the opening ceremony on Friday, appearing in venues in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo during the traditional Parade of Nations.

On February 7, the long-awaited final of Ukraine’s National Selection for Eurovision 2026 took place, revealing that Ukraine will be represented at the international song contest by singer LELÉKA with the song “Ridnym.”
The artist received the highest possible scores from both the jury and the public vote.
The song Ridnym tells a story of hope, inner strength, and a personal journey of renewal. Through the track, LELÉKA sought to show that even when the world around seems to fade, there remains an inner force that leads toward new life. The song is dedicated primarily to Ukrainians and to all those who share humanistic and democratic values.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be held in Vienna at the Wiener Stadthalle, following Austria’s victory at Eurovision 2025.

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 08/02/2026 14:26

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

The Burshtyn TPP has shut down following a Russian attack.
According to the Mayor of Burshtyn in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Vasyl Andrieshyn, Russian troops struck the city and the TPP from 03:00 to 09:00. "Kalibr" missiles and attack drones were used for the strikes. The station is still not operational.
"The damage is very serious. The station is currently at zero. What happens next — no one knows yet," Andrieshyn said.
He also noted that due to the attack, there is no water supply or heating in the city. Water is planned to be supplied within a few hours, while the restoration of heating is only possible after a full assessment of the Burshtyn TPP's condition.

At 5 AM on February 8, the Russian army dropped a "FAB-250" aerial bomb with a UMPK on Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region — there is a deceased person and several wounded.
At the site of the strike, 11 apartment buildings and cars were damaged, the prosecutor's office adds.

Ukrainian director Mstyslav Chernov has won the Directors Guild of America Award for his documentary film "2000 Meters to Andriivka."
Chernov was recognized in the category of "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary."
This is the director's second nomination for the award. In 2023, he won in the same category for the film "20 Days in Mariupol."

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 08/02/2026 15:32

MissConductUS · 08/02/2026 00:41

The Ukrainians know their own KIA numbers but are estimating the Russian ones. And for every soldier KIA, there will be many more too badly wounded to fight, captured, deserted, etc. What matters is the total number of soldiers who are combat ineffective or gone from the ranks.

It is good PR, though.

Does "casualty" only mean killed? I would definitely take it to mean the equivalent of "a Blighty one" as well: invalided out of immediate action but not necessarily dead. No longer available to be involved in the fighting for whatever reason; in which case that entire statistic must have been pulled out of a hat, because I don't see how anyone could possibly know even for their own side, let alone the other one.

(Maybe my perception is skewed because people who end up in casualty at a hospital usually aren't dead! If they are dead, they are DOA and not taken into casualty because that would upset the people already in there. I am not sure what the ambulance crew do with them, though.)

MissConductUS · 08/02/2026 16:16

Does "casualty" only mean killed?

No, it's for anyone who is unavailable or unfit for duty. And yes, Zelensky pulled that number out of his rear end hat.

blueshoes · 09/02/2026 01:53

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-8-2026/

Key Takeaways

  1. Russian forces are continuing their cognitive warfare campaign that uses small-scale cross-border attacks in previously dormant frontline areas in northern Ukraine to try to convince the West that the frontlines in Ukraine are collapsing.
  2. Russian milbloggers continue to claim that SpaceX’s recent block of unregistered Starlink terminals in Ukraine is hindering Russian combat operations in Ukraine.
  3. Russian forces continue to integrate air-to-air capabilities onto their Shahed-type drones to ensure the drones evade Ukrainian air defenders and to undermine Ukraine’s air defense.
  4. Parts of Ukraine’s defense industrial base (DIB) have achieved self-sufficiency such that Ukraine can start exports to the West.
  5. The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed that Ukrainian missile strikes in January 2026 damaged parts of Russia’s Kapustin Yar launch site.
  6. Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Hulyaipole.
Ukraine Invasion: Part 60
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 09/02/2026 11:11

Live:Ukraine

⚡️Ukraine plans to open 10 export centers for Ukrainian drones in Europe in 2026.

This was reported by Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with students and faculty of the Kyiv Aviation Institute. According to him, there are currently 450 drone manufacturing companies in Ukraine. 40—50 of them are top tier.

▪️In mid-February, production of Ukrainian drones will open in Germany, and production lines are already active in Britain.

▪️"We do not have to choose whether to strike a military target or energy infrastructure. There are two paths. We build weapons and strike their weapons. Or we strike the source of their money’s growth and origin. And for them, the source is energy": President Zelenskyy explained the reason for strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.

▪️On rural development: "The state must provide subsidies for the private sector so that businesses enter the villages." According to the President, infrastructure will be restored and special conditions for private enterprises will be provided to encourage people to return to rural areas.

⚡️Foreign Minister Sybiha stated that the leaders of Ukraine and Russia, Zelenskyy and Putin, must meet in person to discuss the most difficult issues in the peace negotiations, and that only Trump can stop the war.

Out of the 20 point peace plan, which became the basis for the recent trilateral negotiations, only a "few" points remain unresolved, Sybiha noted.

⚡️Throughout the day, the Russians attacked the Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, and Kherson regions.

▪️In the Dnipropetrovsk region, three people were injured as a result of a strike; power lines, civilian buildings, and gas pipelines were also damaged.

▪️The enemy attacked a civilian car in the Sumy region. As a result of the attack, two people were injured, including a teenage girl.

▪️As a result of the shelling of the Kherson region, five women were wounded; administrative buildings, private and apartment houses, and a hospital were also damaged.

⚡️ DTEK has shown what thermal power plants looked like in peacetime and how they look during the full scale invasion.

The company noted that the Russians have attacked TPPs 220 times during the great war.
https://t.me/liveukraine_media/37749

⚡️ At night, the Russians launched 11 "Iskander-M" ballistic missiles and 149 strike drones at Ukraine.

Ukrainian air defense shot down 116 drones and some of the missiles.

🔹 In Shakhtarske, Dnipropetrovsk region, a fire broke out in a three story building. Nine people were injured, including a 9 year old girl. All were hospitalized, and one woman is in critical condition.

🔹 In Odesa, a man was killed and two other people were injured due to an attack on residential buildings.

🔹 In the Kharkiv region, in Bohodukhiv, the Russians attacked the private sector. A woman and a 10 year old boy were killed. Three more people were injured. In the village of Luzhok, two women were injured; in the village of Zolochiv, a 17 year old girl suffered an acute stress reaction due to the occupiers' attack.

🔹 In Kherson, a 51 year old woman and man were wounded in the morning. They suffered blast injuries and concussions.

🔹 In Novovolynsk, Volyn region, the Russians attacked a high voltage substation. 80,000 subscribers in the community and surrounding settlements were left without electricity.

🔹 In the Sumy and Chernihiv regions, the occupiers damaged railway infrastructure: a locomotive and the contact network.

⚡️ Journalist Victoria Roschina tried to slit her wrists in a Russian pre trial detention center to force them to bring a psychologist to her. This was told to "Slidstvo.Info" by a former prisoner with the call sign "Brytva," who was held in a cell adjacent to Roschina's.

According to him, the journalist was repeatedly sent to solitary confinement for "incorrect behavior." According to the guards, she was "noisy": she demanded a psychologist and asked to see operational officers.

During another refusal, as the former prisoner recalls, Roschina had a breakdown; she tore down a light fixture and tried to slit her wrists with it.

▪️ Victoria Roschina disappeared on August 3, 2023, in the temporarily occupied territories, from where she was supposed to produce a report. In May 2024, the Russian Federation confirmed for the first time that it was holding her captive, and in October it became known that she died during transport from Taganrog to Moscow — shortly before a planned exchange. Signs of torture were found on the journalist's body, and some organs were missing.

Live: Ukraine

DTEK has shown what thermal power plants looked like in peacetime and how they look during the full scale invasion. The company noted that the Russians have attacked TPPs 220 times during the great war. 🪐 Subscribe to Live: Ukraine

https://t.me/liveukraine_media/37749

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 09/02/2026 11:18

United 24 Media:

🔹 “We don’t have to choose whether we strike a military target or energy. He sells this energy. He sells oil. So is it energy or a military target? Honestly, it’s the same. He sells oil, takes the money and invests it in weapons. He kills Ukrainians with these weapons,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on the concept of Ukrainian strikes on Russia.

“What should a Ukrainian do?
Two options.
We build weapons and strike at their weapons.
Or we strike at the source of their money — their origin.
And the source is their energy.
That’s what’s happening.
All of these are legitimate targets for us.
And who before us could do this to the Russians?
Nobody.”

🔸 The electricity supply situation remains difficult, with significant damage to infrastructure. Work is underway to launch additional generation capacity, and an extra 9 MW is expected to come online in Kyiv today, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said after a meeting of the Emergency Situations Management Headquarters.

He noted that Ukraine recorded its largest daily volume of electricity imports today, which helped stabilize the system after massive Russian attacks and reduce the power deficit.

Together with the Ministry of Development, efforts continue to attract equipment from international partners and distribute it through energy hubs.

Over the past two weeks, 17 humanitarian cargo shipments from partners in Switzerland, Slovakia, Denmark, Canada, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Germany, Austria, Lithuania and Italy have arrived at Ministry of Energy warehouses. During the same period, 774 generators and 40 units of block-modular boiler houses, cogeneration plants, boilers and other equipment were delivered to the regions.

Ukraine is also expecting another 798 generators, 117 transformers and 120 boilers and cogeneration plants in the near future.

🔹 President Zelenskyy: 10 Ukrainian arms export centers to operate in Europe

The offices will be based in the Baltic and Northern European countries, with a total of 10 representative offices expected to operate across Europe by the end of the year. Zelenskyy said that by mid-February “we will see the production of our drones in Germany,” while production lines are already operating in the UK.

“These are all our Ukrainian technologies. There are several different projects. Everything will be based mainly on Ukrainian technologies and Ukrainian specialists. We are simply at war, and not all companies yet feel they have enough freedom to enter all other markets,” the president said.

🔸 We are only at the beginning of the path of air defense production. We did not have our own air defense. Do you know what happened? At the beginning of the war, we had 25 S-300 systems and several thousand missiles. Do you know how many S-300 systems were in Kyiv in the 1990s? Not in Ukraine — 25, 30 or 50 systems — but specifically in Kyiv. Two hundred fifty. So what have they been doing with Ukraine all these years? — President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“You can compare it to a monster — Russia: a monster that has hundreds of these systems and missiles and produces S-300 systems. We did not produce S-300, we did not have missiles. What we had was just a little left over. That is, we are only on the path to creating air defense.

During this time, we have received Hawk, IRIS-T, NASAMS, Patriot, various missiles — PAC-2, PAC-3 and others. We have many different systems, dozens of air defense solutions. And we are on this path: we are building our own, creating our own system. It is very difficult.

We do not have 100 years behind us, when the entire Soviet machine built this air defense. We do not have that. We are starting during a full-scale war. And before that, sorry, there was no industry in Ukraine. Industry means when the Russians attack you and you stop them. This is industry. And today ours is the largest in Europe.

This is an industry, but it is still smaller than Russia’s.

So, to complete the answer to your question — is it enough? No, it is not enough. But we are building priorities in such a way as to inflict more pain on the aggressor.”

🔹 A mobile kindergarten will operate in the Velykooleksandrivska community to help address the shortage of preschool education after many institutions in the Kherson region were damaged or destroyed due to Russian aggression, the Kherson regional military administration reported.

The specially equipped bus includes textbooks, educational games, sports equipment, special furniture, a locker room and even a washbasin. It provides all the necessary materials for learning and active leisure for preschool and primary school children.

The bus will travel between settlements that currently do not have functioning kindergartens.

The project was implemented by the Kherson Regional Development Agency in cooperation with the Swiss charitable organization Swiss for Ukraine. International partners also provided two additional vehicles to support community logistics.

🇮🇳 Indian refineries refuse to buy Russian oil amid New Delhi’s trade deal with Trump — Reuters

Traders report that Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Reliance Industries are not accepting new offers for Russian oil for March and April, although some March supplies were contracted earlier. Most other Indian refineries have also suspended new purchases.

There were no official comments from the companies or ministries. The Indian Foreign Ministry emphasized its strategy of diversifying energy sources. At the same time, New Delhi has not publicly announced a refusal to buy Russian oil, despite signals from the United States.

🔸 “We have no intention of attacking Europe; we have absolutely no need for that. And if Europe carries out its threats to prepare for war against us and launches an attack on Russia, it will not be an ‘SVO’ — it will be a full-scale military response using all available means,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on NTV.

🔥 Russian oil companies’ losses from strikes on refineries have exceeded 1 trillion rubles (about $12 billion).

According to insurance broker Mains, direct damage to the oil and gas sector from drone attacks surpassed 100 billion rubles. Including lost profits and indirect losses, the total exceeds 1 trillion rubles.

Bloomberg estimates that by 2025 Ukraine had carried out around 120 strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, 81 of them targeting refineries. Against this backdrop, Argus analysts report that oil supplies to Russian refineries fell to a 15-year low — 228.3 million tons.

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 09/02/2026 11:29

Kyiv Independent:

⚡️'Situation remains difficult'– Ukraine grapples with ongoing power crisis ahead of another cold snap

Ukraine’s energy system remains under severe strain, and nuclear plants are still partially disconnected from the power grid as of Feb. 8 following Russia's mass attack on Ukraine's critical infrastructure overnight on Feb. 7.

⚡️Ukraine denies involvement in attempted assassination of Russian general Alekseev

Ukraine was not involved in the assassination attempt on Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev, the first deputy head of Russian military intelligence (GRU), Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a comment to Reuters published on Feb. 8.

⚡️ Ukraine war latest: Zelensky warns of 'risk' US, Russia could strike bilateral deals on Ukraine without Kyiv

President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the U.S. and Russia may reach bilateral agreements impacting Ukraine without Kyiv’s participation. He noted that Kyiv lacks full visibility into potential U.S.-Russia arrangements, though some details have emerged via intelligence channels.

Meanwhile, Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Feb. 7, triggering emergency power outages nationwide. As of Feb. 8, the power system remains under severe strain, with several nuclear plants still partially disconnected from the grid.

Ukraine also struck an “important” Russian cruise missile fuel plant in Tver Oblast, and announced plans to open 10 weapons export centers across Europe as part of a broader push to internationalize Ukraine’s arms production.

⚡️Update: Explosions, damage reported in Odesa amid overnight Russian drone attack.

Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper reported that a Russian drone attack on the city of Odesa caused damage to "residential infrastructure," adding that fires were seen in the city.

The reports come amid a wider Russian drone attack on Ukraine overnight on Feb. 8-9.

⚡️Explosions heard in Kyiv amid Russian missile attack.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko confirmed the attack, saying that Ukraine’s air defense was working to intercept the missiles.

⚡️Mstyslav Chernov's film '2,000 Meters to Andriivka' wins Directors Guild of America award.

Ukrainian director and journalist Mstyslav Chernov’s film "2,000 Meters to Andriivka" received the award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary at the 2026 Directors Guild of America awards on Feb. 7.

⚡️ Budapest blasts conscription in Ukraine, backs Hungarian suspected of smuggling draft evaders.

The Hungarian government said on Feb. 8 that it is providing consular protection to its citizen detained by Ukraine over allegedly trying to help five Ukrainian draft-age men illegally cross the border.

⚡️At least 5 killed, 36 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.

Russia launched 11 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 149 drones at Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 116 drones.

⚡️ These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of Feb. 9, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ukraine Invasion: Part 60
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 09/02/2026 11:35

Kyiv Post:

🔹 Pro-Ukrainian partisans say they have disabled a key piece of Russian military communications infrastructure in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, disrupting coordination, surveillance and electronic warfare capabilities near the border with Ukraine.

🔸 The ex-KGB official and Kazakh spy chief who claimed Donald Trump had been recruited by the KGB on his watch now says that Kazakhstan tried to use kompromat videos to blackmail Trump.

🔹 A Russian man suspected of shooting and wounding senior Russian military intelligence officer Vladimir Alekseyev in Moscow has been arrested in Dubai, the Russian FSB security service said.

🔸 Ukraine’s top lawmaker has faced criticism over a draft bill that would have allowed marriage from the age of 14.

Following public backlash, Ukrainian legislators moved to halt the proposal, while human rights groups warned that such a measure would run counter to European Union standards.

🔹 Russian military sources claim Ukraine has launched a new offensive along the Dnipropetrovsk–Zaporizhzhia frontline, with simultaneous attacks reported across several sectors.

🔸 Russia’s foreign minister Lavrov accused the US of derailing a peaceful settlement on Ukraine, stating that Washington had refused to implement the “Anchorage agreements” of August 2025. According to him, US initially proposed a plan that Moscow agreed to, but later backed away from it.

He also said that instead of cooperation, Washington continues to pursue an anti-Russian policy by strengthening sanctions, restricting exports of Russian energy resources, and seeking “economic dominance.”

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 09/02/2026 11:50

Those centres of weopons production in other countries are an excellent idea.

Given that every single energy generation facility in Ukraine has been damaged or destroyed by Russia, they clearly know the locations of them all. It's very hard to imagine that they don't know where a considerable number of the military production facilities are and that they haven't been attacked. If there are new ones in other lands, they'll be safer from missiles.

DrBlackbird · 09/02/2026 14:00

If Starmer gets pushed out, would this affect how the UK supports Ukraine?

FWIW, I’m not someone who wants to see him go for no other reason than I’m sick to death of this pick then reject approach to party leadership.

MissConductUS · 09/02/2026 14:14

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 09/02/2026 11:50

Those centres of weopons production in other countries are an excellent idea.

Given that every single energy generation facility in Ukraine has been damaged or destroyed by Russia, they clearly know the locations of them all. It's very hard to imagine that they don't know where a considerable number of the military production facilities are and that they haven't been attacked. If there are new ones in other lands, they'll be safer from missiles.

It is a good idea to locate them outside of Ukraine when that's possible. The Ukrainians are moving a lot of arms manufacturing underground, or dispersing it across multiple sites or workshops to lessen their vulnerability to Russian attacks.

https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/10/ukraine-builds-underground-arms-factories-as-russia-targets-defense-plants-with-guided-bombs/

PerkingFaintly · 10/02/2026 01:07

British company Cygnet Texkimp has acquired an export licence to send machines which produce carbon fibre “prepreg” (lightweight material useful for military applications as well as non-military) to a newly formed company in Armenia called Rydena LLC.

Rydena was established by former executives of a sanctioned Russian organisation called Umatex (part of Rosatom), which has been a major supplier to the Russian war effort.

Experts sound alarm over UK exports to firm linked to Russian war machine
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/09/experts-sound-alarm-over-uk-exports-to-firm-linked-to-russian-war-machine

Experts sound alarm over UK exports to firm linked to Russian war machine

Exclusive: Multimillion-pound contract raises concerns about controls designed to prevent firms unwittingly aiding destruction of Ukraine

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/09/experts-sound-alarm-over-uk-exports-to-firm-linked-to-russian-war-machine

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 10/02/2026 10:28

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Russia accuses US of backing out (kyivindependent.com/russia-accuses-us-of-backing-out-of-alleged-ukraine-surrender-agreement/) of alleged Ukraine territory surrender agreement.
"It seems that they proposed it and we were ready — and now they are not," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

⚡️Ukraine destroys nearly 6,000 Russian FPV drones (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-destroys-nearly-6-000-fpv-drones-in-large-scale-strike-on-russian-military-targets-general-staff-says/) in major strike on military targets, General Staff says.
Ukraine targeted a Russian drone warehouse in Rostov-on-Don, located in Rostov Oblast, destroying three containers filled with FPV drones and their components, according to the report.

⚡️ Moldova's new prime minister makes first official visit (kyivindependent.com/moldovas-new-prime-minister-visits-kyiv/) to Ukraine to deepen EU, security ties.
"We stand with Ukraine as neighbours and friends," Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said upon arrival

⚡️ Update: US says it has not set June deadline (kyivindependent.com/russia-accuses-us-of-backing-out-of-alleged-ukraine-surrender-agreement/)to end war in Ukraine, contradicting Zelensky.

⚡️Senior Russian official says Moscow needs 'security guarantees (kyivindependent.com/senior-russian-official-says-moscow-needs-security-guarantees/).'

⚡️'Second stage' of Ukrainian military's corps reform underway (kyivindependent.com/second-stage-of-ukrainian-militarys-corps-reform-underway-syrskyi-says/), Syrskyi says.
According to the general, brigades continue to be reshuffled into their native corps' areas of responsibility, a process made more dangerous by the lack of reserves and Russia's readiness to attack during rotations of larger units.

⚡️ Mazda quietly returns to Russian market (kyivindependent.com/mazda-quietly-returns-to-russian-market-despite-2022-exit/) despite 2022 'exit,' report says.
Mazda's Russian subsidiary has publicly introduced two crossover models — the CX-5 and CX-50 — sourced from a plant in China and sold with official warranties.

⚡️ Germany indicts Ukrainian national (kyivindependent.com/germany-indicts-ukrainian-national-in-alleged-russian-backed-sabotage-plot/) over alleged Russian-backed sabotage plot.
The suspect, identified as Yevhen B., was detained in Switzerland in May 2025 and extradited to Germany in December.

⚡️Ukraine and France took a step toward joint arms production on Feb. 9, as Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin signed a letter of intent in Kyiv, Ukraine's Defense Ministry announced. (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-france-move-toward-joint-arms-production-with-new-agreement/)

⚡️ Ukrainian ombudsman gets over 6,000 complaints (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-ombudsman-receives-over-6-000-complaints-against-enlistment-officers-in-2025/) against enlistment officers in 2025.
The number of complaints has increased 333 times since the start of the full-scale invasion.

⚡️Pope Leo (kyivindependent.com/pope-leo-sends-80-generators-thousands-of-medicines-to-ukraine/) sends 80 generators, thousands of medical supplies to Ukraine.
Pope Leo XIV has sent 80 electric generators and thousands of medical and food supplies to Ukraine to help civilians cope with freezing winter temperatures and constant attacks, the Vatican announced on Feb. 9.

⚡️ Newsmax, conservative US network, launching Ukraine news channel (https://kyivindependent.com/newsmax-a-conservative-us-network-to-launch-ukraine-tv-channel/) this spring.
Newsmax, founded by Chris Ruddy, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, will open a full-fledged editorial office in Ukraine to produce local and regional news content.

⚡️ EU chief diplomat calls Olympics crowd boos of JD Vance (kyivindependent.com/eu-chief-diplomat-calls-olympics-crowd-boos-of-jd-vance-a-sign-of-european-pride/) a sign of 'European pride.'
"Well, I guess we have heard a lot of not-so-nice words from the United States regarding Europe," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.

⚡️Alleged assailants in shooting (https://kyivindependent.com/alleged-assailants-in-attack-on-russian-general-alekseev-plead-guilty-russias-fsb-claims/) of Russian General Alekseev plead guilty, FSB claims.
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed on Feb. 9 that suspects in the assassination attempt on Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev, the first deputy head of Russian military intelligence (GRU), had pleaded guilty, Russian state-run media outlet RIA Novosti reported.

⚡️The hidden health impact (kyivindependent.com/the-hidden-health-impact-of-russias-attacks-on-ukraines-energy-grid/) of Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy grid.
Prolonged Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have left thousands of homes without heat during subzero temperatures. A Kyiv doctor says extended exposure to cold, stress, and sleep disruption is increasingly weakening immune systems and worsening chronic illnesses.

⚡️ US boards Venezuela-linked shadow fleet vessel (kyivindependent.com/us-boards-venezuela-linked-shadow-fleet-tanker-in-indian-ocean/) in Indian Ocean.
The vessel is part of the "shadow fleet," a group of tankers used by Moscow to export oil in violation of international sanctions, according to Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR).

⚡️Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter crew killed (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-mi-24-helicopter-crew-killed-during-combat-mission/) during combat mission.
The crew of a Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter was killed while carrying out a combat mission, the 11th Separate Army Aviation Brigade “Kherson” reported.
“They loved the sky and Ukraine,” the brigade said.

Russia’s Arctic shadow war: How Moscow’s most-probed front fuels its Ukraine invasion (kyivindependent.com/russias-arctic-shadow-war-how-moscows-most-probed-front-fuels-its-ukraine-invasion/)
Norway’s Svalbard fiber optic cables — a pair carrying vital Arctic satellite data from SvalSat, the world’s largest commercial ground station — thread through waters dangerously close to Russia’s reach.
The Kremlin’s Nagurskoye air base on Franz Josef Land is just 260 kilometers (161 miles) from Svalbard’s shores.

⚡️IOC bars (kyivindependent.com/ioc-bars-ukrainian-athletes-helmet-honoring-athletes-killed-during-war/) Ukrainian athlete’s helmet honoring athletes killed during war.

"Remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all." Alexander The Great The combat losses of the enemy from February 24, 2022 to February 10, 2026.

Ukraine Invasion: Part 60
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 10/02/2026 10:35

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

❗️Documents on security guarantees are ready — President Zelenskyy
According to the president, “significant international events” on defense and security are planned for the coming week.

France is preparing to transfer Mirage 2000 aircraft to Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense reported.
Work is also underway on supplying a record number of AASM Hammer guided aerial bombs and accelerating the production and delivery of Aster anti-ballistic missiles.
At the same time, discussions continue on providing long-range weapons, including SCALP missiles.
The defense ministers of Ukraine and France also signed a Letter of Intent on joint weapons production in both countries.

🇪🇺 The European Parliament will vote on Wednesday on granting Ukraine a €90 billion loan to help finance military spending.
The centre-right European People’s Party, the centre-left Socialists and Democrats, and the liberal Renew Europe group agreed to fast-track the vote. If approved, it would allow the European Commission to raise funds on international debt markets backed by the EU’s long-term budget.

The European Union is considering several options to secure Ukraine’s future membership prospects as part of a potential peace agreement, Bloomberg reports, citing sources.
Among the proposals are granting Ukraine certain protections normally provided to countries at the early stage of EU accession, as well as immediate access to some member-state rights. The EU also plans to define clear timelines and steps for Kyiv to advance the formal accession process. Other options include continuing under the current accession framework or introducing a transition period with gradually expanding rights.
A draft 20-point peace plan developed mainly with the United States envisions Ukraine joining the EU in 2027, while receiving selected membership benefits beforehand. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine aims to join even sooner, viewing membership as a key security guarantee.
Ukraine received EU candidate status in 2022 and approval to begin accession talks at the end of 2023. Formal negotiations started in 2024 but have slowed due to Hungary blocking the opening of negotiation chapters. EU accession typically takes years and requires unanimous support from all member states.

On the night of February 8–9, 2026, Polish military radar systems recorded another incursion into the country’s airspace by objects resembling balloons, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces reported.
[...] A similar incident occurred on the night of January 31–February 1, when objects resembling balloons entered Polish airspace, reportedly as part of an attempt by Belarus to assess the reaction of Polish air defense systems.

The French-supplied SAMP-T air defense system has officially entered service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Markings on the system’s hull indicate confirmed destroyed targets — notably two aircraft and several guided aerial bombs.

In Konotop, an enemy UAV struck a locomotive that was to be attached to a passenger train, — Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksiy Kuleba reported.
“Russia continues targeted strikes on civilian railway infrastructure. The main focus of attacks is currently Northern Ukraine — the Chernihiv and Sumy regions.
Near Tereshchenska station in Sumy region, railway tracks were damaged, and traffic was temporarily restricted during repairs.
A drone also hit a company vehicle carrying railway workers to a repair site. One employee was hospitalized with shrapnel injuries, while the rest of the crew was safely evacuated.
In Chernihiv region, at Snovsk station, a diesel train was hit, but the fire was quickly extinguished.
Restoration work is ongoing, and train traffic is being maintained,” he said.

😡 Russians struck energy infrastructure in the southern Odesa region overnight, — head of the regional military administration.

The United States intercepted another tanker from Russia’s shadow fleet — the Aquila II.
US military personnel boarded the vessel in the Indian Ocean. The Pentagon said the tanker violated Trump’s quarantine for sanctioned ships, attempted to evade interception, and was pursued from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean.
According to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, the Aquila II was transporting Russian and likely Venezuelan oil. The vessel is under sanctions by the US, EU, UK, Canada, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

🤬The IOC failed to explain why an Italian athlete was allowed to compete with the Russian flag on his helmet at the 2026 Olympics.
Italian snowboarder Roland Fishnaller appeared at the start wearing a helmet featuring several national flags, including those of the USA, Italy, Canada, South Korea, China — and Russia. According to Olympic rules, Russian and Belarusian flags are prohibited.
When asked for clarification, the IOC confirmed the presence of the Russian flag but did not explain why the athlete was allowed to bypass the ban.

Ukraine Invasion: Part 60
Ukraine Invasion: Part 60
Ukraine Invasion: Part 60
Ukraine Invasion: Part 60
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 10/02/2026 10:57

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlight (more)

❗️Russia is likely preparing for a potential war against the Baltic states or another neighboring country — Munich Security Conference report.

The report stresses that the era of the American “security umbrella” for Europe may be ending. Since January 2025, the United States has significantly reduced military aid to Ukraine and is reportedly linking defense guarantees to EU trade concessions.

Washington is also demanding that European NATO members assume the primary responsibility for supporting Kyiv.

At the same time, analysts say Russia has shifted its economy onto a war footing, allocating up to 40% of its budget to defense and preparing for future conflicts — from local wars against neighboring states to possible regional escalation in the Baltics.

Experts warn that without a unified defense system, the EU risks remaining in a “gray zone” between competing spheres of influence.

Ukraine Invasion: Part 60
Ukraine Invasion: Part 60
Ukraine Invasion: Part 60
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 10/02/2026 11:16

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Putin’s generals are pressing ahead with plans to break Ukraine and impose their own peace terms, as experts warn Russia is preparing a major spring–summer offensive (www.kyivpost.com/post/69734) — even while its current winter assault bleeds troops for minimal gains.

Ukraine halted a Russian breakthrough near Pokrovsk, (www.kyivpost.com/post/69733) destroying an assault company, while troops also cleared Ternuvate and Chuhunivka, raising the Ukrainian flag.

EU leaders will hold a series of top-level meetings this week focused on security, economic resilience and support for Ukraine (www.kyivpost.com/post/69712) amid growing doubts about Europe’s reliance on the United States.

The EU has proposed sanctioning ports in Georgia and Indonesia over their role in handling Russian oil. (https://www.kyivpost.com/post/69743)

Tokyo has joined NATO’s PURL initiative and will finance purchases of non-lethal equipment for Ukraine (www.kyivpost.com/post/69764) — likely including radar systems and body armor — while still avoiding direct funding of lethal weapons.

Russia has officially begun blocking Telegram after a decision by state watchdog Roskomnadzor, triggering a surge of disruptions across the country.
The move appears to be taking effect immediately. Data from Downdetector shows a spike in complaints, with users reporting failures to connect, delayed messages, and partial shutdowns of the platform.

13 Russian soldiers have been named as suspects in the killings of civilians (www.kyivpost.com/post/69728) near Kyiv in 2022.
Investigators say they have established links between the suspects and the execution of civilians who were trying to flee along the Zhytomyr highway during Russia’s early advance on the Ukrainian capital.

Russian court fines 72-year-old Ukrainian woman (www.kyivpost.com/post/69738) living in Russia for ‘discrediting the army’ after she liked YouTube videos.

A one-year-old baby was among several civilians injured in another Russian overnight attack (www.kyivpost.com/post/69755) on Zaporizhzhia region.
Ukraine’s Air Force said that in the early hours of Feb. 10, Russia launched 125 attack UAVs, targeting multiple regions across the country.

US Republican Senator Thom Tillis has labeled Orbán “a puppet to Putin” (www.kyivpost.com/post/69756) after the Hungarian PM called Ukraine a national “enemy.”

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 10/02/2026 11:22

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇪🇺🇺🇦The European Union is developing a plan that could grant Ukraine partial membership in the bloc as early as next year, Politico writes, citing ten officials and diplomats.
The plan has been informally dubbed "reverse expansion." Under it, Ukraine would get a seat at the EU table even before it completes the reforms necessary for full membership.

🇪🇺🇺🇦The EU is discussing Ukraine's accession to the bloc as part of a peace deal, Bloomberg writes, citing sources.
One of the options suggests that Ukraine could immediately receive some benefits usually enjoyed by EU member states, as well as additional guarantees.
In parallel, Kyiv could be given clear deadlines and steps necessary to complete the procedure. Another scenario involves a transitional period with a gradual expansion of rights.
The discussions are not yet public, so there are no final decisions. However, sources in the European Commission confirmed that the issue of accession is indeed being discussed during the peace negotiations.
▪️ Ukraine received EU candidate status in 2022 after the start of Russia's full scale invasion, and at the end of 2023, the European Union allowed negotiations to begin. They formally started in 2024, but the process slowed down, particularly due to Hungary's position.

An 11 year old girl and her mother were killed as a result of Russian guided aerial bomb strikes on Sloviansk in the Donetsk region.
Seven people were injured, including a child.

blueshoes · 10/02/2026 11:38

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-9-2026/

Key Takeaways

  1. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov explicitly blamed the United States on February 9 for the lack of progress in ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
  2. Lavrov reiterated Russia’s demand for effective control over Ukraine’s post-war government and the size and composition of its military.
  3. Russian State Duma deputies are explicitly demanding that the United States concede to all Russian demands.
  4. Russian forces are likely falsely claiming that Ukrainian forces are conducting a “counteroffensive” near the Dnipropetrovsk-Zaporizhia Oblast administrative border to rectify earlier false reports about alleged Russian advances in the area.
  5. Russian and Ukrainian sources recently reported that Russian forces have increased the range of their guided glide bombs to 200 kilometers, but this is not a new Russian innovation.
  6. India will reportedly dramatically decrease or halt its direct and indirect purchases of Russian oil.
  7. The United States seized another Russian shadow fleet oil tanker.
  8. Likely Belarusian balloons violated Polish airspace on the night of February 8 to 9.
  9. Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Velykyi Burluk. Russian forces recently advanced in northern Sumy Oblast, near Velykyi Burluk, Kupyansk, Slovyansk, and in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area.
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