Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was barred from competition after refusing the International Olympic Committee’s demand to remove a helmet honoring Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed since Russia’s invasion. The IOC cited rules against political statements on the field of play, despite offering concessions for Heraskevych to display the messaging off-ice. The decision, made shortly before his race, has drawn condemnation from Ukraine and has been described as inconsistent with previous IOC rulings on athlete expression. Heraskevych has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but his chance to compete in these Games appears to be over.
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At a United Nations meeting in Vienna, Iranian and Russian diplomats voiced concerns that Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite constellation is operating in violation of international law and blurring the lines between commercial and military applications. Iran stated that Starlink’s “illegal operation” infringes on its sovereignty and constitutes unauthorized military use of a commercial network, while Russia suggested SpaceX’s operations might breach the 1967 Outer Space Treaty by not considering the interests of other space actors. The criticism highlights how Starlink, which has become crucial for Ukrainian defense and was used by Iranian opposition forces, is challenging established geopolitical norms, leading Russia to call for international negotiations on limiting satellite numbers and clarifying the military use of commercially registered frequencies.
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Ukrainian skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych has been banned from the Winter Olympics for refusing to remove a helmet depicting athletes killed in the Russian invasion of his country. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) deemed the helmet a violation of Olympic charter rules, despite Heraskevych’s assertion that it is a matter of national dignity and a respectful tribute. He maintains that his ban, despite being a medal contender, stems from an interpretation of rules he disagrees with, and has filed an urgent appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
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NATO’s latest intelligence assessments indicate a sharp increase in Russian military losses in Ukraine during 2025, with an estimated 400,000 personnel killed or wounded in that year alone. This brings the total Russian casualties since the conflict’s inception to approximately 1.3 million. The Alliance reported that 350,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in action, a figure that aligns with previous casualty-to-fatality ratios. These escalated losses in 2025 significantly surpass those of preceding years.
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A Russian drone strike on a home in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region resulted in the deaths of a father and his three young children, with the pregnant mother surviving but injured. This incident underscores the ongoing civilian toll of Russia’s aerial attacks, which intensified in the past year, making it the deadliest for civilians since 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that such attacks undermine diplomatic efforts and prove the need for stronger pressure and security guarantees for Ukraine. In addition to this tragedy, other drone attacks across Ukraine resulted in further casualties and injuries.
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Since early January, Ukrainian forces have launched a sustained bombardment campaign targeting Belgorod’s energy and heating infrastructure. These complex attacks, utilizing both domestic drones and NATO-supplied artillery, have repeatedly struck major power and heating facilities, creating a critical situation for the region’s population. Local authorities have acknowledged the dire state of services, calling for evacuations and warning of prolonged outages. Ukrainian President Zelensky has justified these strikes, asserting that Russia’s civilian energy infrastructure is a legitimate target as it funds their military operations.
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Ukrainian military intelligence operatives, specifically the “Prymary” special operations group, have executed precision drone strikes targeting several Russian air defense assets. These attacks, conducted in late January, successfully destroyed multiple radar systems and a rare Arctic-configured Tor-M2DT missile complex. The destruction of the Tor-M2DT, a system designed for extreme cold weather and capable of engaging numerous targets, is particularly significant given its recent relocation to the Ukrainian frontlines. These strikes represent a degradation of Russia’s air defense capabilities, building on previous operations in Crimea.
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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has declared that Brussels and Kyiv have initiated a “war” against Hungary. This assertion follows the publication of an article by Politico detailing proposed plans for Ukraine’s “accession in advance” to the EU, bypassing standard procedures and outlining strategies to circumvent Hungary’s veto power. Orbán characterized these proposals as a “latest war plan” aimed at undermining Hungarian sovereignty and dictating the country’s political direction, urging citizens to prevent this through the upcoming April elections. The article itself suggests partial EU membership for Ukraine by 2027 and considers scenarios where Hungary’s opposition to Ukraine’s integration is overcome, including the possibility of a change in Hungarian government.
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Japan is set to formally announce its participation in a NATO-led initiative to supply Ukraine with US-made munitions and equipment. This mechanism, established by NATO and the US, aims to coordinate the procurement and delivery of such items, with over 20 NATO member states and allies like Australia and New Zealand already committed. While Japan will contribute funding, its support will focus on non-lethal defense equipment, such as radar systems and bulletproof vests, a move considered a significant development amidst ongoing global support for Ukraine.
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In response to Russian strikes targeting critical infrastructure, Ukraine is implementing a long-term strategy to protect its electrical substations by relocating them underground. While one substation has already been secured in an underground bunker with a second underway, this initiative is a costly and time-consuming endeavor, requiring significant external financing. Ukraine’s state-grid operator, Ukrenergo, plans to seek funding from the European Investment Bank after restructuring its substantial debt, which is expected to be finalized soon. This move aims to enhance energy security and resilience, ensuring the continued flow of electricity across the country despite ongoing attacks.
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John Q. Hosedrinker