Olga Rozgon
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to allocate additional subsidies to local budgets. This will ensure timely payment of salaries in the educational and social spheres from January 1, 2026.
US intelligence may have known about the preparations for blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipelines at an early stage of planning. A Ukrainian team allegedly shared its intentions with the CIA, which initially did not object, and then tried to avert the attack.
The Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs will extend the temporary ban on staying in the border area with Belarus for another three months, until March 4, 2026. This is due to migration pressure and the launch of meteorological balloons with tobacco products.
The British broadcaster BBC stated that Donald Trump failed to prove defamation in a documentary. The BBC intends to argue that Trump's $10 billion lawsuit should be dismissed.
Four South Africans, deceptively recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine, have been repatriated. They were recruited by the daughter of a former South African president, who promised them jobs as security guards.
In Austria, mountaineer Thomas P. is on trial, accused of gross negligence leading to the death of his girlfriend Kerstin H. She froze to death on Austria's highest mountain, Grossglockner, after he left her alone during a storm.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs service centers have updated the routes for practical driving tests in Kyiv, Vinnytsia, and Cherkasy regions. This was done to adapt to changes in traffic organization and improve candidate safety.
According to UNICEF, 2,589,900 Ukrainian children are displaced. Of these, more than 791,000 are internally displaced and almost 1,798,900 are refugees.
The State Border Guard Service is restricting traffic through checkpoints on the border with Moldova starting at 5:00 AM on February 18, 2026. The restriction applies to freight vehicles and passenger transport due to severe weather conditions.
In Kropyvnytskyi, a rescue operation is underway at an animal shelter, where dogs are being evacuated due to flooding. Rescuers and volunteers have saved 35 animals and moved 2 tons of feed.
Two TCC officials were detained in Volyn for helping conscripts avoid mobilization for money. They adjusted data in electronic registers for $2,500 and canceled marks of accounting violations for $1,500.
In Kyiv, a mother was notified of suspicion due to malicious non-fulfillment of duties regarding her daughter, whom she treated with alcohol. The 17-year-old girl skipped school, committed thefts, and attempted suicide.
Latvia will provide 10 million euros for the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine as part of the NATO PURL initiative. The government made this decision on February 17, which amounts to 0.25% of the country's GDP.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has begun naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz. This comes amid rising tensions with the US and the resumption of nuclear program talks.
A 49-year-old foreigner was detained in Mukachevo on suspicion of raping a minor girl. The man met the victim on a dating site and then raped her in a hostel.
In Poltava region, due to bad weather, 69 settlements were left without electricity. Flooding of private households and затрудned traffic movement were recorded.
Courts of all instances ordered the demolition of an illegal car wash and tire service with an area of almost 300 sq. m on the banks of the Lybid River. The Supreme Court dismissed the cassation appeal, confirming the return of land worth UAH 9 million to the Kyiv community.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on active assault operations by the Defense Forces in the Oleksandrivka direction and in the Huliaipole area. The operational situation remains complex, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine are thwarting enemy intentions and inflicting significant losses on them.
President Zelenskyy met with US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse. The use of frozen Russian assets to purchase Patriot missiles was discussed.
Starting from March 1, 2026, the "National Cashback" program will offer a 5% or 15% refund for Ukrainian goods. The cashback amount will depend on the product category and the share of imports.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced new aid packages for Ukraine, emphasizing air defense missiles as a priority. Decisions on energy and a new sanctions package against those involved in the war are also expected.
China is expanding its network of nuclear facilities in the mountainous regions of Sichuan province, indicating an accelerated buildup of its nuclear potential. Satellite images have captured new construction and infrastructure modernization, particularly in the Zhitong and Pintong valleys.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry calls for a boycott of the UNESCO-Russia Mendeleev International Prize, which is funded by the Russian Federation. This is a response to Russia's attempts to whitewash war crimes through science.
Ukraine is preparing a new package of sanctions against Russian individuals who support the war and use sports for military purposes. President Zelenskyy stated that this would be a signal to the world, as Ukrainians are forbidden from mentioning the victims of Russian aggression at the Olympics.
Trump informed Netanyahu of his support for Israeli strikes on Iran if no deal is reached with Tehran. The US is considering options for assistance, including refueling and overflight permits.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that 90% of Ukrainians are against holding elections without a ceasefire. Elections are possible if there is a ceasefire for two to three months and changes are made to the legislation.
The new BAE Systems plant in Glascoed, which was supposed to increase the production of shells for Britain and Ukraine, has not yet opened. The delay is due to the decision to double the facility's capacity.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands canceled 170 flights on February 15. The reason was snowfall and strong winds, which required the clearing of runways.
A Kantar CZ poll showed that 62% of Czech citizens support the continuation of the ammunition initiative for Ukraine. Only 36% oppose this initiative.
President Zelenskyy named three key steps for Donald Trump to stop Russian aggression. These are providing security guarantees to Ukraine, demanding Moscow to cease fire, and increasing support for Ukraine if Putin refuses.