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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As Ukraine’s new mandatory registration policy for Starlink terminals takes effect, Russia is reportedly coercing families of Ukrainian prisoners of war to register the devices for use by its own forces on the battlefield. This tactic emerges as unregistered Starlink terminals have been rendered inoperable for Russian troops, causing significant disruption. The Coordination Headquarters warns that Ukrainian citizens facilitating such registrations could face criminal liability if the equipment is used in strikes against Ukraine.
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Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Volgograd oil refinery overnight, causing a fire at the Lukoil-operated facility, according to local media. This incident follows a pattern of Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian energy infrastructure, which Kyiv views as legitimate military targets funding Moscow’s war. Recent attacks include the use of Neptune missiles and HIMARS in Bryansk Oblast and the disabling of communication infrastructure in Belgorod Oblast by a pro-Ukrainian partisan group. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported shooting down numerous drones across several regions.
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South Korea’s Foreign Ministry has again requested that media outlets refrain from revealing the faces and voices of North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukraine, citing risks to the prisoners and their families. This reminder comes as coverage of the Ukraine-Russia war intensifies and emphasizes the need for “minimum safety measures” in reporting, even if prisoners consent to identification. The ministry expressed concern over past broadcasts that exposed identities, asserting that North Korean POWs are considered South Korean nationals who deserve protection under international law. Seoul has communicated this stance to Ukrainian authorities and will continue consultations with Kyiv to ensure the safety of these individuals.
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Russia’s Federal Security Agency (FSB) has accused Polish intelligence of aiding in an attempted assassination of a high-profile military figure, Vladimir Alexeyev. The FSB claims the attack, which left Alexeyev in critical condition, was ordered by Ukraine. While Kyiv denies involvement, Poland has not yet commented on the uncorroborated claims. This accusation follows a pattern of strained relations, with Russia frequently labeling Poland a hostile, “Russophobic” nation, while Moscow itself has engaged in sabotage and cyberattacks against Poland.
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Pope Leo XIV has dispatched 80 electric generators and thousands of medical supplies to Ukraine in response to pleas from bishops highlighting the severe hardships faced by civilians due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and freezing temperatures. The vital aid, which arrived in affected areas like Fastiv and Kyiv via three trucks departing from Rome, includes essential medicines such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, supplements, and melatonin, the latter noted for its high demand amidst ongoing stress and sleep deprivation. Further shipments of medicine and food are being prepared for distribution through Ukrainian parish networks, underscoring the Vatican’s sustained commitment to peace and humanitarian support in the region, with the Pope having previously offered the Vatican as a venue for peace talks.
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The U.S. military successfully boarded the Aquila II oil tanker in the Indian Ocean as part of an ongoing effort to disrupt the Venezuelan oil trade and enforce international sanctions. This action follows the vessel’s pursuit from the Caribbean, highlighting Washington’s commitment to “quarantining” sanctioned ships and denying illicit actors access to global maritime trade. The Aquila II, which was carrying Venezuelan crude and falsely flying the flag of Panama, is linked to the “shadow fleet” utilized for sanction-evading oil exports and poses environmental risks. This interdiction is one of several recent measures taken by U.S. and European authorities to counter the operations of these tankers.
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Overnight strikes on February 9th saw Ukrainian forces successfully destroy approximately 6,000 FPV drones and their associated components at a Russian drone warehouse in Rostov-on-Don. Additional Ukrainian operations targeted a command post in Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, and an ammunition depot in occupied Kherson Oblast. These actions are part of a broader strategy by Ukraine to disrupt Russian military logistics and infrastructure, including recent strikes aimed at facilities producing components for advanced cruise missiles.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the Trump administration of reneging on alleged “Anchorage agreements” from 2025, which he claimed envisioned Ukraine ceding the entire Donbas region to Russia without conflict. Lavrov further stated that despite U.S. declarations of cooperation, Washington continues to pursue an anti-Russian policy, evidenced by new sanctions and actions against Russia’s shadow fleet. These remarks highlight Moscow’s escalating rhetoric toward Washington amid ongoing diplomatic efforts and territorial disputes that remain a significant obstacle to peace.
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Russian forces are facing significant communication disruptions following the curtailment of Starlink satellite internet access, a system they had been illicitly utilizing for battlefield operations. Ukraine’s defense minister successfully negotiated with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to deactivate Starlink terminals being used by Russian troops, impacting critical functions like drone coordination and strikes. This move has forced the Russian military to scramble for less effective alternatives, highlighting their reliance on Western technology and fueling frustration among pro-war bloggers. Despite efforts to find workarounds, the loss of Starlink’s speed, coverage, and ease of use presents a considerable challenge to Russian military operations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker