Rumors about American pilots with combat experience in Afghanistan and the Middle East, who are now performing combat missions in Ukraine, were spread by foreign media.
The European Commission has confirmed plans to adopt a new package of sanctions against Russia by February 24. This marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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 SBU and National Police detained a Russian agent who blew up a car in Odesa on February 16, injuring the owner. The 33-year-old unemployed Odesa resident was recruited through Telegram channels and received instructions from a curator in Russia.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the destruction of a Russian Ka-27 helicopter in occupied Crimea. Three enemy UAV control points in Zaporizhzhia and Kursk regions were also hit.
Six civilians in Sumy, including women aged 20 and 61, and men aged 60, 76, 45, and 42, were injured in an enemy attack on the city center. Buildings and cars were damaged, and the condition of the injured is assessed as non-life-threatening.
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.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has introduced the possibility of concluding a one-year contract for volunteers aged 60 and over. The changes also concern the awarding of military ranks in a shorter period and guarantees of service in the chosen position for contract soldiers.
Talks involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia in Geneva will continue today and tomorrow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that news should not be expected today.
Roskomnadzor will completely block Telegram in Russia from April 1, 2026. This will happen by analogy with Instagram and Facebook, the application will not be downloaded via mobile and fixed networks.
The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the destruction of the Iskander storage site in occupied Crimea and the Rubikon piloting point in Zaporizhzhia. In total, more than 10 enemy military facilities were hit between February 9 and 14.
Iranian media confirmed indirect talks between the US and Iran in Geneva. Iran demands a complete lifting of sanctions and confidence-building measures regarding its nuclear program.
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.
One Russian 'Shahed/Geran' type drone can contain up to 12 transistors manufactured by the German company Infineon Technologies. Russia receives these components through shadow schemes, bypassing sanctions.
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.
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and General Alex Hrynkevych are in Geneva for talks between Ukraine, the US, and Russia. They arrived as part of the American delegation to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine.
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.
Last week, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated 201 square kilometers of territory, taking advantage of the Russians' loss of Starlink. This is the largest recaptured territory since June 2023.
Trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia will take place today in Geneva. The Ukrainian delegation arrived in Geneva on Monday to discuss security and humanitarian issues.
On February 17, 2026, at approximately 03:10, in the Kyrykivka community of Okhtyrka district, the enemy attacked houses with three drones. A 68-year-old woman was killed, and six people, including two children, were injured.
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.
Russia launched 29 missiles, including 4 ballistic missiles, and 396 drones at Ukraine. 25 missiles and 367 drones were shot down, while 4 ballistic missiles and 18 drones hit their targets.
Over the past day, 201 combat engagements were recorded, the enemy launched two missile strikes and carried out 81 air strikes. The Russians used 4574 kamikaze drones and carried out 2306 shelling attacks.
On February 17, an enemy Shahed-type drone was destroyed in the Stryi district of the Lviv region. Three combat drones were also shot down, one was lost locally.
During the night, the enemy again launched devastating strikes on Odesa's energy infrastructure. The destruction is extremely serious, and repairs will take a long time.
French President Emmanuel Macron begins a three-day visit to India, where he will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The main topics of discussion are cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and a potential contract for the supply of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets.
Poland scrambled military aircraft on the night of February 17 due to Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. Polish military also recorded objects resembling balloons from Belarus.
In Odesa region, Russian troops attacked Odesa and the surrounding area overnight, with three men reported injured, one of whom is in serious condition. Hits were recorded on warehouses, a car service station, and an apartment building.
