Energy
As a result of enemy attacks and bad weather, consumers in four regions of Ukraine have been left without power. In Odesa region, almost 100,000 subscribers are without electricity due to equipment damage and difficult weather conditions.
The most extensive Baltic Sea ice in 15 years is restricting Russian exports, requiring icebreaker escort for vessels without an ice class. From March 1, ports may prohibit entry to such vessels if the ice thickness reaches 30-50 cm.
Ukraine has imposed sanctions against Lukashenka for his assistance in Russian aggression. Zelenskyy stated that Belarus is helping Russia circumvent sanctions and supplies components for missiles.
On the night of February 18, several regions of Russia were subjected to air attacks. In Belgorod, a substation was likely hit, and in Cheboksary, an energy facility was attacked.
Ihor Zhovkva met with NATO Assistant Secretary General Boris Ruge. New defense support packages, which Ukraine expects to receive by February 24, were discussed.
In Odesa, after Russia's night attack, critical infrastructure facilities have been switched to backup power. Additional tents and heating points are being deployed for people.
The energy crisis of 2025-2026 forced Ukrainian enterprises to reduce production and change working hours. Small businesses found themselves in the most vulnerable position, and electricity prices increased by 60%.
The Ministry of Energy discussed the consequences of Russia's massive attack on infrastructure, especially in the Odesa region and on the left bank of Kyiv. Ukraine will receive 10 generators from Estonia, 32 boilers from Italy, and equipment from other countries.
The High Anti-Corruption Court chose a pre-trial restraint for former Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko in the form of detention. The alternative is a bail of 200 million hryvnias, the term of arrest is 60 days.
Yulia Svyrydenko instructed to accelerate the audit of "dormant" licenses for strategic minerals and oil and gas subsoil. Systemic solutions in the field of subsoil use are expected in March, and the first sanctioned assets will be put up for auction.
On February 18, hourly power outage schedules and power limitations for industrial consumers will be applied in all regions of Ukraine. The reason is the consequences of Russian attacks on energy facilities.
Former Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko stated in court his readiness to post bail of 20-30 million hryvnias. He is suspected of participating in a criminal organization and legalizing over 7.4 million US dollars.
In Kyiv, heating has been restored in 2,600 buildings after the February 12 attack. However, over 1,100 buildings in the Dnieper and Darnytskyi districts remain without heat due to damage to the Darnytska CHPP.
The defense of former Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko stated that the procedural documents were drawn up in a non-state language. This refers to Russian words used to quote the dialogues of the suspects.
As a result of shelling in the Kherson community, critical infrastructure was damaged, causing a power outage in part of the city. There is no electricity supply in the Dniprovskyi district, and possible water outages in the KhBK district and the center.
French President Emmanuel Macron urged India to support a moratorium on strikes against civilians and infrastructure. This statement came after a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Former Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko traveled outside Ukraine 58 times from 2018 to 2025, including during martial law. The defense emphasizes that he also returned to the country 58 times, without attempting to hide.
The SAP prosecutor requested the arrest or bail of UAH 425 million 984 thousand for former Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko. He is suspected of participating in a criminal organization and laundering over USD 7.4 million.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russians have carried out 401 attacks on the Naftogaz Group's infrastructure. In 2025, 229 attacks were recorded, exceeding the figures for the previous three years combined.
The SAP prosecutor announced that former Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko faces 7 to 12 years of imprisonment with property confiscation. This is related to the suspicion of committing particularly serious, multi-episode crimes.
Former Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko stated that his son's education in Switzerland is being paid for by a wealthy kum. He refused to name the relative.
France allowed the GRINCH tanker to leave its waters after the owning company paid a multi-million euro fine. The vessel was detained on suspicion of sanctions evasion and belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet."
SBU drones hit the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal in Russia's Krasnodar Krai for the second time in a month. As a result of the attack, a fire was recorded at the oil transshipment complex.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the damage to the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai on the night of February 17. Logistics facilities and a communication hub of the occupiers in the occupied territories were also hit.
Russia massively attacked civilian and critical infrastructure in several regions of Ukraine, including energy facilities and railway infrastructure in four regions. In some regions, water and heat supply have been temporarily suspended; there are no casualties.
Several hits on civilian infrastructure objects in the city center have been recorded in Sumy. The threat of repeated strikes remains, there are no preliminary casualties.
Russia launched a combined attack on energy infrastructure, causing blackouts in five regions and heating disruptions in Sumy and Odesa. Three people were killed in a strike on a vehicle carrying employees of the Sloviansk TPP.
The relevant issue will be considered in court in the near future.
The enemy attacked Ivano-Frankivsk region at dawn, there were no casualties. In one of the communities, heating has been temporarily suspended, and restoration work is underway.
President Zelenskyy reported that the Russian attack was aimed at damaging Ukraine's energy infrastructure. As a result of the strike, 9 people were injured, the railway was damaged, and Odesa is experiencing heat and water outages.