War in Ukraine
Russia has announced the creation of a special fire department for the Zaporizhzhia NPP, comprising 211 personnel. The formation is planned for 2027-2028, while the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations acknowledges a significant personnel shortage in the occupied territories.
According to The Economist, Putin's chances of victory in Ukraine are diminishing, and peace talks will not provide him with a way out of the trap. Economic and political instability threatens Russia, destroying the dictator's plans.
Donald Trump has appointed Jared Kushner as a special peace envoy, introducing him at his "Peace Council. " Kushner will focus on mediating new diplomatic agreements, including stabilizing Gaza and the war in Ukraine.
In Kharkiv, a man changed his sex to female and appealed to the TCC demanding to be removed from military registration. The court found the TCC's decision illegal and ordered him to be excluded from military registration and the "Oberih" register.
Ukrainians make up 10% of the workforce in the Czech construction sector, preventing the worsening of the personnel crisis. Their departure after the war will complicate the situation, but also open up opportunities for Czech companies in Ukraine.
Over the past day, 209 combat engagements took place, the enemy used 1737 kamikaze drones and carried out 1665 shellings. In the Pokrovsk direction, 51 occupiers were eliminated and 18 were wounded.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has convened a special meeting with the Ukrainian negotiating team returning from Geneva. The meeting will discuss further peace steps and coordination of positions with partners.
U. S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order extending sanctions against Russia for one year, which were imposed in 2014 due to the invasion of Ukraine. Russia's actions continue to pose a threat to U.S. national security.
The Cabinet of Ministers will form a coordination center for the rapid recovery of communities after shelling. Government officials, the Office of the President, and regional leaders will be involved in the work.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih. Ukraine expects increased support for Ukrainians from the Office of the UN High Commissioner.
On February 20, scheduled power outages and capacity restrictions will be in effect in most regions of Ukraine. These are the consequences of Russian attacks on energy facilities.
Trump emphasized that he was aware of the mixed reactions in Europe to his stance, but this did not change his assessment of the Hungarian prime minister's performance.
Russia launched a ballistic missile strike on the production base of the regional road service, destroying premises and specialized road equipment. This is a continuation of targeted strikes on civilian and critical infrastructure.
To preserve the educational process after massive Russian attacks that left a number of schools without heating, two mechanisms were introduced in Kyiv – distance learning and "educational migration. "
In Odesa, an indictment has been sent to court against a group that illegally took orphaned children abroad for adoption. The perpetrators trafficked at least 13 children, disguising their activities as "hosting programs."
As a result of the Russian army's attack on a farm in the village of Dvorichny Kut in Kharkiv region, about 100 pigs were killed and a man was injured. A fire broke out on the roof of the farm building, and destruction was recorded.
Antenna equipment and a camouflaged electronic warfare system of the occupiers were also eliminated.
Ukraine will not boycott the 2026 Paralympics; Ukrainian Paralympians will compete. The decision regarding participation in the opening ceremony will be announced later.
Relations between the US and Iran are escalating over Tehran's nuclear program, threatening a major war in the Middle East. Ukraine is interested in peace to avoid rising oil prices and the strengthening of the Russian Federation.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved an experimental mechanism for state orders for passenger rail transportation. The state will compensate for the difference between the cost and current tariffs to keep prices affordable.
Since the beginning of the day, 98 combat engagements have been recorded on the front. The enemy is actively advancing in the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole directions, carrying out artillery shelling and air strikes.
European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen stated that Brussels is not pressuring Ukraine regarding the timeline for restoring the Druzhba oil pipeline. Oil from Russia is supplied to Hungary and Slovakia via this pipeline.
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.
Law enforcement officers uncovered a scheme of illegal use of forest land in Zakarpattia, where a hotel and recreation complex operated. One of the beneficiaries turned out to be People's Deputy Nestor Shufrych, who controlled the complex through proxies.
That is why Ukraine needs to quickly build up battery complexes in the near future to accumulate daytime generation and use it during evening peaks, reducing restrictions and increasing the stability of the energy system.
The program for the voluntary return of compatriots to Russia recorded an anti-record in 2025, relocating only 27. 6 thousand people. The number of resettlers has been constantly decreasing since the beginning of Russia's "SMO," which deepens the demographic crisis in the country.
Hungary is considering halting electricity and gas exports to Ukraine if Kyiv does not resume the supply of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of delaying the resumption of supplies for political reasons.
Energy experts warn: it is technically impossible to decentralize the generation of large urban combined heat and power plants in one inter-heating season, and for Kyiv, such a transformation could require about 7 billion euros in investments and 3-5 years of work.
Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, refuted Russian claims of capturing Krynychne. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting counter-offensive actions in the Oleksandrivka direction to prevent enemy advancement.
Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi gave an interview where he spoke about the failure of the 2023 counteroffensive and SBU searches. Political observer Hennadii Dubov analyzed the interview, noting that it is not a bid for elections, but an element of political criticism of the current government.