The 2026 sowing campaign in Ukraine will become more expensive due to rising fuel prices, fertilizer shortages, personnel deficits, and energy supply problems. This will affect the cost of the future harvest and the financial condition of farmers.
Due to shelling and hostilities, parts of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv regions are temporarily without electricity. Energy workers are working on restoration, and hourly blackouts are in effect in most regions.
A massive blackout occurred in Cuba due to the failure of the largest thermal power plant, leaving Havana and most of the country without electricity. Restoration could take up to 72 hours due to an outdated grid and a shortage of spare parts.
Germany has handed over the first 13 vehicles to Ukrzaliznytsia for the rapid restoration of damaged infrastructure after Russian shelling. This aid is part of a larger support package, which includes 18 vehicles, 32 generators, and 18 units of special equipment.
The Cabinet of Ministers has established a Coordination Center for the implementation of Ukraine's Regional Resilience Plans. It will be headed by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, and its members include representatives of ministries, the Verkhovna Rada, and the Office of the President.
A complete power outage has occurred in all provinces of Iraq. The causes of the large-scale failure have not been officially named.
The Slovak government, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, decided to terminate the contract for emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine. Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický was instructed to take this step by March 5.
Over four years of full-scale Russian aggression, Ukraine's energy sector has suffered losses of $24. 8 billion. 27 GW of generation has been lost, of which 15.5 GW due to the occupation of energy facilities, including the Zaporizhzhia NPP.
The President of Ukraine stated that the occupiers are preparing to strike critical infrastructure in the spring.
Since the beginning of the heating season in Ukraine, over 900 people have died in fires not related to Russian attacks. Almost 4,000 such fires were caused by improper use of electrical appliances.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council, where resilience plans were approved for all Ukrainian regions and regional cities, except Kyiv. The government, the Ministry of Defense, and the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine received tasks regarding preparations for next winter.
In Ukraine, fuel prices rose by 5% due to news of oil supply problems from the Persian Gulf. However, according to an analyst, the price increase is unlikely to continue.
On the left bank of Kyiv, electric transport is gradually resuming operation. On March 4, provided there are no new damages to the energy infrastructure, electric transport on the left bank will operate as usual.
SBU counterintelligence detained a freelance psychologist who, on the orders of Russian special services, tried to get a job at a district TCC in Kharkiv region. The woman also adjusted Russian air attacks on energy facilities in Cherkasy region.
President Zelenskyy is preparing a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council to approve the strategy for next winter. Plans for the protection and restoration of energy facilities and critical infrastructure will be updated.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russia is preparing new attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure, particularly on water supply systems. He emphasized that communities must focus on this challenge, and the authorities must provide more missiles for air defense.
In occupied Sevastopol, there was a power outage due to an emergency shutdown in the Crimean power system networks. Consumers in several districts, including the city center, were left without power.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Russia is preparing new attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. He emphasized the need to respond to threats and shoot down Russian targets.
Ukraine has endured one of the most difficult winters in history due to constant shelling of energy infrastructure by Russians. This led to prolonged power and heat outages, but did not break Ukrainians.
In February, 83 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning were recorded in Ukraine, affecting 150 people, including 55 children. 23 people died, according to the State Emergency Service.
In Iran, an almost complete internet shutdown has been recorded, with connectivity levels dropping to 4% of the norm. This occurred amid US and Israeli military operations, mirroring measures from last year's war.
Ukraine is assessing significant damage after Russian drone attacks on a key facility of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which could complicate the issue of EU aid to Kyiv and sanctions against Moscow. Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of withholding supplies, blocking EU aid.
President Zelenskyy announced the development of a strategy for Ukraine for next winter, taking into account the experience of the regions. Also, from March 1, pensions will be indexed by 12.1% for 10 million Ukrainians.
The Ministry of Energy reported that due to hostilities and shelling of energy infrastructure, some communities in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions are temporarily without electricity. Most regions are experiencing scheduled outages, while some have emergency blackouts.
President Zelenskyy stated in an interview with Sky News that he is not the best father due to the war, as he spends little time with his children. He emphasized that defending Ukraine is his main choice and noted the resilience of Ukrainians during the winter of 2026.
The Vatican Postal Service has unveiled a stamp featuring the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv during a blackout. This commemorates the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion and expresses solidarity with Ukrainians.
The tanker "Seahorse" with Russian diesel fuel for Cuba has stopped in the North Atlantic. This delay threatens to deepen the fuel shortage on the island, where the electricity supply situation is already catastrophic.
In Belgorod and the surrounding district, electricity, water supply, and heating disappeared after the attack on February 26. The governor reported serious damage to energy facilities, which led to a critical situation.
Ukraine is finalizing its energy recovery and updated protection strategy by March 1 for the next winter. President Zelenskyy called for taking into account the experience of the regions for greater resilience.
Russia is attacking Ukraine's water supply infrastructure. Expert Andriy Kramarov assessed the risks and protection capabilities in the context of limited air defense resources.
