A Russian drone strike on a bus in the southeastern city of Dnipro resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people, and injured several others. The attack, which targeted mineworkers, caused a fire that was later extinguished by firefighters. This incident occurred amidst reports of a “massive terrorist attack” by Russian forces on a company mine in the region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US, and Russia would proceed in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
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SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced that actions taken to prevent unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia appear to be effective. Ukrainian officials had previously raised concerns about the use of Starlink in Russian drone operations, prompting cooperation with SpaceX to address the issue. Despite past disagreements, Ukraine continues to rely on Starlink for crucial military communications. This situation highlights the growing geopolitical influence of Starlink.
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SpaceX’s initial efforts to prevent Russia from utilizing Starlink for drone control in Ukraine are yielding “real results,” according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The company is disabling unverified terminals, with the goal of ensuring only authorized terminals operate within Ukraine. Ukraine is working closely with SpaceX on further steps to enhance security, while acknowledging the importance of Starlink for its military communications. Although SpaceX has stated it does not sell or supply Starlink terminals to Russia, Ukraine has relied heavily on Starlink since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
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Elon Musk, responding to a post by Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov, confirmed that measures have been taken to halt the unauthorized use of Starlink satellite internet by Russian forces. Fedorov acknowledged that these initial actions are showing positive results and that Ukraine is actively collaborating with SpaceX on further steps. This follows reports that Russian forces have been utilizing Starlink for drone strikes, prompting Ukraine to request intervention from SpaceX. Notably, Starlink service has faced interruptions along the front lines in recent months.
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Following an illegal border crossing by Russian border guards, Estonia is considering a full closure of its eastern border as a potential response, though no immediate security threat necessitates such action. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that while a border closure remains an option for applying pressure, the government is still deliberating on specific countermeasures. Estonia has already filed a formal protest and increased surveillance in response to the incident, which Russia denies. Additionally, Estonia has tightened border rules for Russian diplomats and their families, aligning with EU sanctions.
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Following a claim by former President Trump that Vladimir Putin had agreed to halt attacks on Ukraine due to cold weather, Russia launched a significant barrage of attacks. These attacks included over 100 drones and a ballistic missile, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure, including a facility belonging to an American company. While Trump had stated Putin’s agreement not to strike certain cities, these attacks continued, prompting conflicting accounts from Ukrainian and Russian officials regarding any agreements made. Despite the ongoing aggression, the White House has yet to provide comment or explanation on the matter.
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Newly released documents from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation include draft emails in which Epstein claims Bill Gates sought antibiotics, without his wife’s knowledge, due to concerns about a sexually transmitted infection. Epstein’s alleged emails, sent to himself, detail this request. A spokesperson for Gates has dismissed these claims as “absolutely absurd and completely false.” These allegations are part of a larger release of documents from the Epstein case by the US Department of Justice.
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In an effort to fortify Ukraine’s heating infrastructure, Italy has delivered industrial boiler equipment to communities in ten regions, as announced on January 29th. This shipment, valued at €1.86 million, includes 78 units with a combined capacity of over 112 megawatts, intended for use in essential facilities and damaged urban networks. The equipment is expected to provide heating for approximately 90,000 homes or a city of 250,000 residents, helping to mitigate the impact of ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Talks are already underway for a second shipment of over 300 additional units, demonstrating continued international support.
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Ukrainian soldiers are utilizing low-cost netting as a critical defense against Russian drones, covering positions, weaponry, and roadways. This tactic, unfamiliar to the British Army, proved essential in stopping the drones from reaching their targets. Upon learning of the nets, the UK quickly adopted the practice by gathering fishing nets to be used in training. The UK is now incorporating Ukrainian front-line experiences, including advancements in drone warfare, into its training and doctrine, highlighting the mutual learning occurring during the conflict.
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A Russian cargo vessel, the Sinegorsk, was chased from British waters by a Royal Navy helicopter after anchoring near five transatlantic undersea data cables for 14 hours. The incident underscores the growing importance of protecting undersea infrastructure, which carries vast communication data. The vessel’s proximity to cables connecting Britain to the U.S., Canada, Spain, and Portugal raised concerns, particularly given its last recorded port call being the Russian Navy’s headquarters. This event follows reports of Russian vessels surveilling and mapping undersea cables, indicating increased vigilance is needed to safeguard critical infrastructure.
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John Q. Hosedrinker