German intelligence has accused Moscow of concealing the true cost of the war, stating that Russia's budget deficit in 2025 exceeded the officially declared amount by more than 2. 36 trillion rubles. Western sanctions and falling oil prices are impacting the Russian economy.
Qatar's state energy company, QatarEnergy, has declared force majeure on liquefied natural gas supplies. This happened after Iranian attacks on the company's facilities in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed.
Officials from the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff organized a scheme to embezzle fuel for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Mykolaiv Oblast, causing losses of over UAH 22 million. In Zhytomyr Oblast, the head of the district's quartering and operational unit is suspected of causing UAH 8.3 million in losses through overpayment of VAT for fuel oil.
On the night of March 2, the SBU and the Defense Forces hit the Valentin Pikul minesweeper and also damaged the anti-submarine ships Yeysk and Kasimov. As a result of the attack, three Russian sailors were killed and 14 were wounded.
Law enforcement officers uncovered a scheme to embezzle Ukrenergo funds during the restoration of energy infrastructure in the Lviv region. The scheme involved the head of a Ukrenergo unit and the former head of a contracting company, who inflated the cost of the work.
The Moldovan government has introduced a heightened alert regime in the energy sector for 60 days. The decision was made on March 4 due to events in the Middle East.
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.
Russia confirmed the damage to its LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz in the Mediterranean Sea, blaming Ukraine. The crew of the sanctioned vessel was not injured.
In 2025, over 12,000 companies relocated within Ukraine, making 12,920 moves. This is 11% more than in 2024, but less than before the full-scale invasion.
As a result of new Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, consumers in Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kherson regions have been left without power. Emergency power outages have returned in some regions.
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 conflict in the Middle East is spreading, with strikes and attacks continuing. Israel has launched strikes against Iran, while Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait have also been attacked.
Donald Trump has instructed the U. S. International Development Finance Corporation to provide insurance and guarantees for maritime transport through the Persian Gulf. The U.S. Navy will escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary.
A Russian LNG tanker caught fire off the coast of Libya, possibly as a result of an attack by Ukrainian naval drones. The sanctioned vessel had deactivated its identification system.
The President of Ukraine stated that the occupiers are preparing to strike critical infrastructure in the spring.
On March 4, from 8:00 AM, hourly power outage schedules will be introduced in some regions of Ukraine. The reason is the consequences of Russian attacks on the energy system.
Ursula von der Leyen and Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed a loan for Ukraine, the 20th sanctions package, and the impact of events in the Middle East on energy prices. Energy security and the availability of defense materials were also discussed.
Iraq's Ministry of Oil will halt production at a key field due to disruption of the waterway. The war in Iran has stopped tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a rise in oil prices.
Hundreds of people, including children and teachers, have died amid escalation in the Middle East - casualties reported in 7 countries.
Ukraine's desire for accelerated accession to the European Union has met with resistance from EU governments unwilling to open a "Pandora's box" of problems. President Zelenskyy seeks accession by 2027 as part of a peace agreement, but member states express skepticism.
France will send a warship to Cyprus to strengthen air defense after a drone attack on a British base. Great Britain is considering sending the destroyer HMS Duncan to protect the Akrotiri airbase.
All natural preconditions for spring floods have formed in Ukraine, with river levels rising by 2. 5 meters. Flooding is possible across the country, particularly in Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Odesa regions, and Kyiv.
President Zelenskyy stated that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban gains political weight only with the support of major political forces. He suggested that Orban might lose the upcoming elections, and Ukraine would restore normal relations.
During January-February, the Defense Forces of Ukraine carried out more than 40 strikes on targets on the territory of Russia, including 13 oil and gas complex enterprises. This weakens the aggressor's economic and military potential.
Ukraine is under pressure from the EU to allow inspection of the damaged Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. Kyiv claims significant damage from a Russian airstrike, but Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of deliberately blocking it.
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.
A fire broke out in the port of Fujairah in the UAE after a drone attack attempt, with debris falling on the facility. In Oman, the port of Duqm was again targeted by drones, one of which hit a fuel tank.
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.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed damage to Iran's uranium enrichment plant in Natanz. No radiological consequences are expected, although nuclear materials are likely to remain on site.
