Last news • War in Ukraine
The aggressor retains a missile service within the Black Sea: there’s a risk of a strike
There may be one Russian ship with 4 Kalibr cruise missiles within the Black Sea. There are 4 ships within the Mediterranean, 3 of which have 26 Kalibr missiles on board.
Storm clouds are intensifying in Europe as Ukraine approaches the fourth 12 months of the full-scale warfare with Russia.
Preliminary hopes that U.S. President Donald Trump's new administration would possibly undertake the "peace via power" strategy in the direction of Moscow are starting to unravel in mild of current statements from Washington.
Each Trump and his Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth made it clear they don’t see Ukraine becoming a member of NATO, a step envisioned by Kyiv as not solely the absolute best safety assure however its key geopolitical purpose.
Talking in Brussels at a Ramstein-format summit, the Pentagon chief additionally claimed that restoring Ukraine's pre-2014 borders was "unrealistic" and signaled the U.S.'s consideration is now not centered on the European continent.
Including to tensions, U.S. Vice President JD Vance surprised these watching on Feb. 14 when his speech on the Munich Safety Convention changed into a searing assault on Europe's beliefs and a name to embrace far-right political events.
Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's overseas minister between 2020 and 2024, says that if there ever was the "final warning" for Europe, this was it.
The Kyiv Impartial sat down with Landsbergis on the sidelines of the Munich Safety Convention on Feb. 14, the place the rising divergence between the U.S. and the EU on NATO and Ukraine was on the heart of the discussions.
Lithuania's former chief diplomat, a long-time advocate for extra decisive assist for Ukraine, laid out how Europe can nonetheless flip the tide and assist Kyiv obtain a simply and lasting peace.
As a result of if Europe doesn't get up now, he says, "we’d must declare it lifeless."
The Kyiv Impartial: What's your response to recent statements by high U.S. officers — earlier than negotiations even started — that Ukraine won’t be capable to be a part of NATO, that it will be unable to return to pre-2014 borders?
Gabrielius Landsbergis: It's giving all of the leverage to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and mainly declaring that every thing he wished to realize together with his warfare in opposition to Ukraine, he would possibly get it.
So it's comprehensible that for a lot of Ukrainians and for a lot of of those that assist Ukraine, it seems like a betrayal. However a number of the statements had been contradicted only in the near past once more, so it’s certainly very complicated.
I simply hope that Putin is as confused as we’re.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
The Kyiv Impartial: U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin are planning to meet. What can European international locations do to ensure that Europe and Ukraine are usually not neglected of the negotiation course of?
Gabrielius Landsbergis: I feel you see the best way it would occur, and there's little or no that we will do. Putin can meet Trump. They’ll meet, they may discuss, they may name it peace negotiations, and they’re going to declare one thing. However it doesn't essentially want to vary the fact on the bottom.
From Putin's perspective, it undoubtedly received't. I don't assume he’ll cease for any purpose. He’ll put the blame on Ukrainians, on Europeans.
Trump would possibly do the identical factor. So I feel we have now to organize for what's after. And on this, my solely hope is the now absolute and horrible cliche, that Europe wakes up.
As a result of if it doesn't get up, we’d must declare it lifeless. If there's ever a final warning, it’s now. And there are issues that Europe can do, truthfully. We satisfaction ourselves on an enormous financial system, 450 million folks. (Russia's financial system) is simply the scale of Spain's.
We’ve to place one thing on the desk. We’ve the power to assist Ukraine militarily. We will combine Ukraine into the European Union. This is likely one of the devices that Europe used prior to now.
And if we take it significantly, we will try this very, very quick. I'm not speaking about chopping corners, however mainly simply guiding (Ukraine) via the method in order that it’s clear that if Russia decides to assault once more, it’s going to assault a rustic of the European Union.
That adjustments the notion. We will arm Ukraine, we will arm ourselves, we will do many issues.
The Kyiv Impartial: You assume that membership within the EU can work as some type of safety assure for Ukraine?
Gabrielius Landsbergis: Sure, certainly. Or at the least (it will possibly work as) deterrence. (French) President (Emmanuel) Macron talked about some time in the past that if Russian troops advance, they could encounter French troops in Odesa.
Many in Europe freaked out, saying "it's not wanted but," or "perhaps we will speak about this later in a special format." I feel that is the time to speak about this. Let's put European troops in Ukraine and promise to struggle alongside Ukrainians in case of one other assault.
It will deliver us respect, not simply from Ukraine but in addition from international locations like the US, China, and others.
The Kyiv Impartial: A significant subject of the Munich Safety Convention final 12 months was "Trump-proofing" Western support for Ukraine, that’s, guaranteeing assist for Ukraine will proceed even when Donald Trump is elected. Do you assume these efforts had been profitable? Did they obtain one thing?
Gabrielius Landsbergis: No, I don't assume so. It's like all of the workout routines earlier than Covid hit, workout routines of how we vaccinate 1000’s of individuals and the way we do that and the way we try this, how we include the pandemic. After which, when the actual pandemic hit, no one was ready. We needed to invent all the foundations and begin from scratch.
So I feel it was the identical with Russia's full-scale invasion. The Individuals declared about half a 12 months earlier than (February 2022) that the Russians had been going to assault. And so they stated "let's put together."
We began making ready. When the Russians attacked, we stated, "Oh, okay, so that is what it means." It's fairly a special actuality.
I'm not shocked. That is in all probability the function of democracy, the best way that it capabilities. We're very short-term. Typically, we have a look at the following election moderately than on the subsequent decade.
So when any individual says that there’s bother forward, we're not that anxious about it as a result of we have now extra troubles proper now that we have to maintain. Even in my nation, when we have now discussions about what we must always do if Trump is elected, if he decides to rethink his stance on Europe and different issues, it's a really troublesome dialog. And I don't assume that we have now ready.
The Kyiv Impartial: Why does the West hold making these errors after we have a look at the previous three years of the full-scale invasion? Why hasn't it realized its lesson? And do you assume it's too late to show the ship round?
Gabrielius Landsbergis: I don't know. Inside Europe, the issue is that we see issues very otherwise. There are international locations near Ukraine and Russia that do perceive what's occurring. We name them the jap flank international locations. You’ll be able to add Northern Europe to this group.
After which you’ve gotten a whole lot of different international locations for whom to think about a Russian assault on Brussels… I imply, this can by no means occur, proper?
That's why it’s important to argue whether or not you continue to want 2% of GDP for protection when Poland is spending 4% and Lithuania is spending 3.7%. Estonia, nearly 4%. After which you’ve gotten international locations far-off from Russia who say that this can by no means occur, they may by no means assault us. And that is the division.
What we want is management. We’d like any individual who could be keen to danger paying the political worth for the options wanted for Europe.
So it's not a bureaucrat who doesn't actually care, however the one who says: "Okay, if we don't do that, we’re doomed. And if we do that, sure, we’d additionally lose, and I’ll lose personally, however that is the worth I'm keen to pay."
Is it not too late? I don't assume it's too late. When Covid hit, Europe determined to borrow 750 billion euros ($780 billion). Feels like some huge cash. However after a session of simply eight hours, the German parliament took a call to borrow 250 billion euros ($260 billion).
Sure, it's one of many largest economies on this planet. However think about if it's doable for Germany, what can Europe do in eight hours?
The Kyiv IndependentSlavoj Žižek
The Kyiv Impartial: For a very long time, Ukraine has stated membership in NATO is the one efficient safety assure. However this appears now more and more unlikely within the mild of current statements from the U.S. What would you take into account probably the most possible and efficient safety assure for Ukraine?
Gabrielius Landsbergis: I nonetheless insist that NATO is the best (safety assure) as a result of you’ve gotten the US in it. You will have a transparent dedication to struggle alongside (allies) as a result of it's on the core of the (NATO founding settlement) Washington Treaty.
And even in concept, NATO works as a deterrent, as a result of there's sufficient ambiguity in the best way that NATO is structured, that you just don't need to check it. The Russians would possibly in the future be courageous sufficient to check it, however not but. So if NATO ensures could be offered now, I feel that Ukraine could be safer instantly.
If that’s utterly off the desk, we want U.S. safety ensures that will be second-tier. Mainly, the U.S. would struggle alongside its allies, who could be keen to affix the group and Ukraine in case there's one other assault.
If that doesn't work, nicely, then it's the Europeans. The query is whether or not that will be attainable. If that doesn't occur, then we're in a really harmful state of affairs the place Ukraine is definitely left alone to struggle off something that may come its means. This could be similar to the Minsk agreements.
A ceasefire, no safety ensures, and only a preparation for the following section.
Observe from the writer:
Hello, that is Martin Fornusek. I hope you loved this interview.
Our group strives to deliver you probably the most fascinating discussions with politicians, specialists, and different necessary voices with insights on Ukraine's historical past, politics, and its resistance in opposition to Russian aggression.
We wouldn't give you the option to take action with out the assist of readers such as you. To assist us proceed on this work, please take into account becoming a member of the Kyiv Independent's community.
Thanks very a lot.
British PM to suggest to Trump a plan to deploy 30,000 EU troops to Ukraine
The British prime minister will suggest a plan to deploy a European peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine to observe the ceasefire. America is to offer air assist from bases in Japanese Europe.
The Belarusian firm Agroproduct has been utilizing uncooked supplies from Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine’s southern Kherson Oblast to supply rapeseed oil, which it then exported to the European Union.
An investigation by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Schemes' in collaboration with journalists from Lithuania, Latvia, and Belarus, uncovered the availability chain that bypasses current commerce restrictions.
Regardless of a mid-2024 ban on Belarusian meals imports, together with rapeseed oil, one of many key locations for Agroproduct’s shipments is Lithuania. Information from Russia’s state data system Zerno reveals that in 2023, Belarus imported practically 5,000 tons of rapeseed from occupied Kherson, with 5 corporations, together with Agroproduct, receiving these shipments.
In line with Eurostat, EU nations bought over 90,000 tons of rapeseed oil from Belarus within the first half of 2024, amounting to roughly €67 million. Alongside Lithuania, Latvia has additionally been recognized as a key purchaser. The Belarusian opposition group "Group of Railway Staff of Belarus" claims that round 50,000 tons of rapeseed oil exported to those international locations final yr got here solely from Agroproduct.
Agroproduct has not been subjected to both European or Ukrainian sanctions. This implies the corporate can’t solely promote oil to the EU but additionally buy rapeseed from European and Ukrainian farmers.
Latvian and Lithuanian logistics companies confirmed their cooperation with Agroproduct throughout conversations with journalists, additional linking the corporate to the illicit commerce. Investigators additionally found connections between Agroproduct and the Belarusian authorities.
The corporate’s director, Oleg Teslyuk, has brazenly boasted about his ties to state authorities however refused to touch upon whether or not the rapeseed utilized in manufacturing was sourced from occupied Ukrainian territories.
The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek
Air strike on a high-rise constructing in Kherson: youngsters among the many victims
A Russian guided aerial bomb hit a multi-storey constructing within the Dniprovsky district of Kherson late on February 19. The victims have been 13-year-old twins and a 47-year-old man, all of whom sustained mine-blast accidents.
It may have been a tragic story costing British volunteer Edward Scott his life.
As a humanitarian assist employee with the Ukrainian NGO "Baza" (the "Base" in Ukrainian), 28-year-old Scott has made a number of journeys to the front-line areas to evacuate civilian Ukrainians.
However the mission on Jan. 30 to the embattled metropolis of Pokrovsk in southern Donetsk Oblast was totally different.
A Russian drone focused the automobile of Scott’s crew – although it was marked with a vivid signal studying "evacuation." The automobile was carrying two civilians and two volunteers. The motive force's seat — the place Scott had been sitting – was hit hardest, leaving him severely injured.
As Russian forces proceed to quickly advance in japanese Ukraine, the Ukrainian authorities and volunteers have intensified efforts to evacuate civilians from front-line cities in Donetsk Oblast. With Russian forces simply mere kilometers away, Pokrovsk stays beneath fixed artillery and drone assaults, making evacuation missions a high-risk endeavor.
“(There was) large explosion. I see this fireball, and the automobile is knocked out of substances," Scott remembers the second of affect. "I'm making an attempt to drive it in gear, however my foot just isn’t working, and on the similar time, I'm making an attempt to show the wheel, and I can really feel my shoulder turning, however I can see my arm on the wheel, not turning, so I'm like 'That is unhealthy.'"
"I'm making an attempt to drive it in gear, however my foot just isn’t working, and on the similar time, I'm making an attempt to show the wheel, and I can really feel my shoulder turning, however I can see my arm on the wheel, not turning, so I'm like 'That is unhealthy.'"
"After which the ache hits me, and I begin screaming."
What occurred subsequent was a superb coordination of actions that saved Scott's life. Seconds after the assault, his mission accomplice, Pylyp Rozhdestvenskyi, was making use of tourniquets to his shredded arm and leg to cease the bleeding.
Minutes later, Scott was already in a navy automobile on his strategy to the neighboring hospital for medical help. There, he acquired a transfusion of about 4 liters of blood, however extreme accidents resulted in amputations of his left arm and leg.
Weeks after the brutal assault, with a number of surgical procedures behind him and extra nonetheless forward, Scott, now present process therapy at a Kyiv hospital, thinks about how he can proceed serving to Ukraine — the nation he now calls residence.
"I wish to primarily assist Ukrainians but in addition present the world that we’re combating individuals who will fortunately commit conflict crimes on the drop of a hat," he instructed the Kyiv Unbiased from his hospital mattress.
'Place to be' Scott paid his first go to to Ukraine in October 2022. By the point Russia’s full-scale conflict started in February that yr, he was already changing into extra "politically engaged" and "disillusioned" together with his former life as a sailor.
"It was a improbable job," he says. "I had wonderful adventures and sailed throughout the Atlantic 9 instances. I've been to stunning locations. However on the finish of the day, I wasn't serving to anybody."
As he was following the U.Ok. troopers combating in Ukraine and humanitarian employees working there on social media, Scott started to assume: "Perhaps I can do this."
"So I purchased a pickup truck and simply drove to Ukraine," he remembers. "My plan was to come back right here for 3 months, to make a distinction, to donate a truck on the finish of it, and return to boats."
"However very early on, I believed: 'No, that is the place to be.'"
Since then, Scott has visited a few of Ukraine's hardest-hit areas, together with the now-destroyed and occupied metropolis of Bakhmut, delivering numerous tools and humanitarian assist. He additionally supported Ukrainians by serving to restore the roofs of their houses alongside different volunteers from the Base NGO.
The extra he traveled by Ukraine assembly its folks, the deeper his appreciation for the nation and its tradition has turn out to be.
Considered one of his warmest reminiscences was when an aged lady gave the volunteers the very best selfmade meal and care after they helped with repairs at her residence.
"I met wonderful folks right here," Scott says, including that he even grew to become a godfather to the daughter of one in every of his Ukrainian associates. "I’ve a household right here now."
In December, as intense battles unfolded within the Pokrovsk space, Scott was referred to as to help with the civilian evacuation effort there. He had simply began his second two-week rotation there when he observed that "issues had deteriorated massively."
"(Once we began) we may nonetheless drive by Pokrovsk, it was type of okay," Scott says. "We evacuated folks from the final condominium block within the south (of town)."
"However instantly, we may not go south."
Scott says that every time they entered the world, they may both see Russian drones on the bottom or hear them within the air. "The previous few days earlier than the hit there have been numerous them."
"We have been very conscious that it's very harmful and we thought we have been defending ourselves by being as civilian as attainable, displaying that we’re not a goal. However we bought hit as effectively," he says.
'A really powerful man' Scott and Rozhdestvenskyi, 31, left their base within the metropolis of Kramatorsk at round 8:20 a.m., heading to Pokrovsk to evacuate a lady whose husband was hit by a Russian drone in his automobile only a day earlier than.
After they came upon the lady had fled with one other crew, the 2 began on the lookout for different locals who wanted help. They ended up evacuating three folks of their first drive and returned to select up two extra.
In keeping with Rozhdestvenskyi, the street they took was in "fairly unhealthy situation," so the crew needed to drive comparatively slowly. That was when the drone hit their automobile.
"I wasn't in shock as a result of I had an analogous scenario two months in the past, and I kind of understood what had occurred. However this time, the explosion was extra highly effective than the earlier one," Rozhdestvenskyi says.
"Wanting on the photos of the van now, I notice that they didn't simply goal the van; they focused me. They focused the driving force," Scott says. He was the one one severely injured.
When he noticed that their automobile not had a roof, Rozhdestvenskyi realized that if there was a second drone assault to comply with, they wouldn't survive. He determined to behave instantly. He bought out of the automobile and utilized tourniquets on the shredded arm and leg of his mission accomplice.
"I wasn't certain the tourniquet would work as a result of there have been simply bones in entrance of my eyes," Rozhdestvenskyi says.
As he was offering first assist, Rozhdestvenskyi noticed a navy automobile and shouted to the soldier asking for assist. He grabbed Scott beneath his arms, pulled him out of the automobile, and carried him to the navy pickup mattress. Scott says he was aware and remembers the experience.
"I may really feel myself mendacity at the back of the truck, and the roads have been horrible, so we have been clearly transferring fairly quick. I used to be being jostled round with horrific ranges of ache," Scott says.
"I bear in mind the load of my arm on my chest. I used to be holding my wrist as a result of my arm saved on falling off my chest."
They rapidly reached a small medical level close by, the place paramedics and a casevac have been already ready for them to move to the hospital. Rozhdestvenskyi says it took them round 40 minutes from the second of the assault to achieve a hospital in close by Dobropillia.
Upon arrival, Scott had suffered such large blood loss that medical doctors needed to transfuse round 4 liters of blood and carry out the amputations. However due to the unified effort of Rozhdestvenskyi and the navy, Scott's life was saved.
Переглянути цей допис в Instagram
Допис, поширений BASE UA — NGO in Donetsk area (@base_ua_ngo)
"I'm fortunate in so some ways as so many little issues that… (may have gone flawed)," he says.
Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Workplace instructed the Kyiv Unbiased that they have been investigating the assault as a possible conflict crime.
A video displaying Scott hugging Rozhdestvenskyi on the hospital in Dnipro, the place he was transported shortly after the surgical procedure, and thanking him for saving his life went viral throughout social media.
"He did; he actually saved my life," Scott says. "He was the one which did the onerous work."
"He’s a hero."
Rozhdestvenskyi returns the compliments, saying that Scott “is a really powerful man for his age.”
"He all the time had a agency stance on serving to folks and his mission in Ukraine, and I used to be all the time impressed by that."
Staying in UkraineAfter waking up after surgical procedure, Scott was instructed {that a} medevac flight to the U.Ok. was being ready for him.
“The very first thing I stated was, ‘I'm staying in Ukraine.’ I turned it down instantly.'"
His therapy in Ukraine was funded by the U.S. RT Weatherman Basis, which says it was “an honor” to assist Scott.
“We have been touched by Eddie’s service to Ukraine and his sacrifice for its folks. Once we have been requested to assist, the RT Weatherman Basis didn’t hesitate — days after his damage, we evacuated him from Dnipro to Kyiv in order that he may recuperate in the absolute best situations,” the muse’s program supervisor in Ukraine, Roman Zhura, instructed the Kyiv Unbiased.
Scott’s mother and father visited him in Kyiv, with Ukraine rapidly rising on them too.
"I've modified my life, for higher or for worse, however I've instantly modified my household's. Now (my dad) is telling everybody (within the U.Ok.): 'Ukraine's wonderful.'"
Supported by his dearest associates, Scott not solely envisions his future in Ukraine but in addition sees a brand new mission for himself: to advocate for the nation and its folks, serving to in any approach he can.
By means of his tough journey in Ukraine, Scott says he realized that empathy is one thing "important for survival" and one thing that’s "ample in Ukraine."
"Folks within the West simply lack empathy," he says. "There's a critical lack of empathy, particularly contemplating that we're nonetheless combating this conflict, three years into the full-scale invasion. And individuals are nonetheless debating whether or not Russia is the enemy. How will you not see it?"
"Russia invaded this nation, and that alone ought to be sufficient to point out who the enemy is. The truth that folks nonetheless don't see that and proceed to imagine the lies coming from the Kremlin — it's a critical lack of empathy, and it's an actual downside," he says.
Hello! Daria Shulzhenko right here. I wrote this piece for you. For the reason that first day of Russia's all-out conflict, I’ve been working nearly continuous to inform the tales of these affected by Russia’s brutal aggression. By telling all these painful tales, we’re serving to to maintain the world knowledgeable in regards to the actuality of Russia’s conflict towards Ukraine. By becoming the Kyiv Independent's member, you may assist us proceed telling the world the reality about this conflict.
The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko
Zelenskyy discusses safety ensures for Ukraine with U.S. Senator Graham
The President of Ukraine had a dialog with U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on safety ensures for Ukraine. Zelenskyy thanked for the bipartisan assist of the U.S. Congress and famous Graham's constructive strategy.
Key developments on Feb. 19:
U.S. President Donald Trump known as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "dictator" in a submit on his social media platform Fact Social, accusing him of refusing to have elections, and repeating false claims in regards to the conflict in Ukraine.
"He refuses to have elections, could be very low in Ukrainian polls, and the one factor he was good at was taking part in (former U.S. President Joe) Biden 'like a fiddle,'" Trump wrote.
A Feb. 19 ballot by the Kyiv Worldwide Institute of Sociology (KIIS) showed that 57% of Ukrainians belief Zelensky, a five-point improve since December.
Trump additionally known as the Ukrainian president "a dictator with out elections," saying that "Zelensky higher transfer quick, or he received’t have a rustic left."
Kremlin propaganda has pushed the narrative that Zelensky is an illegitimate chief, counting on the premise that his first presidential time period was initially meant to finish on Could 20, 2024.
However Trump's declare ignores the truth that Ukraine's structure prohibits elections throughout martial law, which has been in impact since Russia's full-scale invasion started in 2022. In consequence, Zelensky's time period has been prolonged, which constitutional lawyers argue is permitted below Ukrainian legislation.
Trump additionally referred to Zelensky as a "modestly profitable comic" and accused him of persuading the U.S. to spend $350 billion on Ukraine.
"America has spent $200 billion greater than Europe, and Europe's cash is assured, whereas the U.S. will get nothing again," the U.S. president claimed.
Trump has repeatedly made unsubstantiated and contradicting claims in regards to the worth of help the U.S. has supplied to Ukraine, most not too long ago placing the determine at $350 billion.
Trump earlier stated that he wished the U.S. to be paid again for its help to Kyiv with a deal for Ukraine's natural resources. The U.S. president claimed the deal can be value $500 billion, and that Kyiv had "primarily agreed to it." It was unclear the place the $500 billion determine had come from.
Earlier on Feb. 19, Zelensky stated Ukraine's wartime military prices had totaled $320 billion, with the U.S. and EU mixed offering $200 billion of that sum in protection help.
"We, the individuals of Ukraine, (coated) $120 billion, the U.S. and the EU — $200 billion. We’re speaking about arms; this can be a weapons bundle value $320 billion," Zelensky stated in Kyiv.
Trump's remarks comply with his Feb. 18 statement that Ukraine "ought to maintain new elections," showing accountable Zelensky's management for the continuing conflict.
He additionally claimed, with out proof, that Ukraine ought to maintain elections as a consequence of Zelensky’s supposed "4% approval ranking."
In response, Zelensky addressed the statements, calling them disinformation and saying that they had come from Russia. "We perceive it comes from Russia. We perceive, and we have now proof that these figures have been mentioned between the U.S. and Russia."
His feedback come amid rising considerations in Kyiv after U.S. and Russian officers met in Saudi Arabia — with out Ukraine — to debate methods for ending the conflict.
In reference to the Saudi Arabia talks, Zelensky stated that the U.S. has successfully helped Russian President Vladimir Putin escape years of isolation.
The Kyiv IndependentSlavoj ŽižekReported drone strike in opposition to Russian oil refinery in Samara Oblast causes hearthDrones attacked the Syzran Oil Refinery in Russia's Samara Oblast in a single day on Feb. 19, Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev reported on his Telegram channel.
Residents posted videos on social media purportedly displaying a big blaze on the refinery. Sounds of explosions had been reported at round 2:45 a.m. native time.
The strike reportedly brought about a fireplace on the refinery. There have been no casualties, in accordance with Fedorishchev.
The Kyiv Unbiased couldn’t instantly confirm the claims.
The Syzran Oil Refinery, mendacity round 700 kilometers (430 miles) from the Russia-Ukraine border, was opened in 1942 and belongs to the Russian state-owned oil firm Rosneft.
The power "has a processing capability of 8.9 million tons of oil per 12 months," stated Andrii Kovalenko, the top of Ukraine's Heart for Countering Disinformation.
"Its merchandise embrace gasoline, aviation kerosene, and bitumen," Kovalenko stated whereas reporting on the assault.
Ukraine considers Russian oil facilities to be legitimate army targets, as fossil gasoline earnings provide Moscow's conflict machine. The Ukrainian army has launched repeated assaults in opposition to Russian refineries with long-range drones.
In lower than two months of 2025, not less than 17 Russian oil amenities had been attacked by drones, in accordance with the impartial Russian Telegram information channel Astra.
On Feb. 17, Ukrainian drones, operated by the Particular Operations Forces and Safety Service of Ukraine (SBU), hit the Ilsky Oil Refinery in Krasnodar Krai and the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station within the Kavkazsky district of Kuban.
The pumping station was taken out of operation as a result of strike.
The Kyiv IndependentTimothy Ash
Ukraine refutes Putin's claims of Russian offensive from Kursk OblastUkraine's Normal Employees refuted claims by President Vladimir Putin that Russian troops had launched an offensive into Ukraine from Kursk Oblast, spokesperson Dmytro Lykhovyi stated on Feb. 19.
Putin advised Russian media on Feb. 18 that Russian forces had crossed into Ukrainian territory from Kursk Oblast, a declare Lykhovyi has dismissed as a part of a disinformation marketing campaign.
"Because the starting of the day, 12 fight engagements have been recorded in Kursk Oblast, three of that are nonetheless ongoing, whereas the remainder have been repelled," Lykhovyi said.
Throughout one of many assaults, Russian troops tried to advance towards Ukraine's state border, in accordance with Lykhovyi.
Ukraine launched a shock cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast in August 2024, initially capturing about 1,300 sq. kilometers (500 sq. miles) of Russian territory.
Whereas Ukrainian forces have misplaced roughly half of that space, they not too long ago advanced 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) in a brand new offensive.
Over six months of preventing within the area, Russian casualties have reached practically 40,000 personnel, together with over 16,000 killed, Ukraine's Normal Employees reported on Feb. One other 909 have been taken as prisoners of conflict.
Ukraine is probably going wanting to make use of its foothold in Kursk Oblast as leverage in potential peace talks.
Russia's forces in Kursk Oblast have been bolstered by North Korean troops, deployed final fall to assist counter the Ukrainian incursion.
President Volodymyr Zelensky famous that the offensive disrupted Russia's potential to hold out large-scale operations in northeastern and southern Ukraine.
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent
North Korean troops in Russia reportedly advised they're preventing South Korean forcesNorth Korean safety companies are telling their troops stationed in Russia's Kursk Oblast that they’re preventing in opposition to each the Ukrainian and South Korean militaries, South Korean newspaper Chosun Day by day reported, citing captured North Korean troopers.
Two North Korean prisoners of conflict, captured by Ukrainian forces final month, spoke solely to Chosun Day by day at a prisoner-of-war (POW) camp in Ukraine.
One of many captives admitted that he and his fellow troopers believed they had been preventing South Korean troops, which heightened their morale and aggression.
Every battalion, consisting of about 500 troopers, was monitored by one or two officers from North Korea's State Safety Ministry, one of many prisoners stated. These officers oversaw ideological coaching and self-discipline.
They reportedly knowledgeable their troopers that Ukrainian drone operators had been South Korean army personnel.
Seoul has not supplied army help to Kyiv for the reason that starting of Russia's full-scale invasion.
As much as 12,000 North Korean troops had been deployed to Kursk Oblast final fall to help Russian forces in countering a Ukrainian incursion launched in August 2024.
Their journey to Russia took a number of months, with a gaggle of two,500 North Koreans departing on Oct. 10, 2024, touring by prepare, then by airplane, and at last by bus to Kursk, the place they arrived in mid-December, in accordance with one of many captives.
The opposite captured soldier, a sniper educated for reconnaissance, stated contact between North Korean troops and Russian forces was minimal, with interplay primarily occurring on the command stage for ammunition, provides, and tools.
President Volodymyr Zelensky beforehand reported that North Korean forces preventing for Russia had suffered 4,000 casualties, with two-thirds of the losses being troopers killed.
Ukraine's army intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, attributed the excessive losses to North Korea's lack of fight expertise and its use of human wave assaults with restricted tools.
Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast in August 2024 initially seized 1,300 sq. kilometers (500 sq. miles) of Russian territory.
Whereas Ukrainian forces have since misplaced roughly half that space as a consequence of Russian counterattacks, they not too long ago advanced 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) in a renewed offensive.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
EU ambassadors agree on sixteenth bundle of Russia sanctionsEU ambassadors agreed on a brand new bundle of sanctions in opposition to Russia, concentrating on aluminum imports and the "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, Euronews reported on Feb. 19.
"I welcome the settlement on our sixteenth bundle of sanctions," European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen stated on X.
"The EU is clamping down even more durable on circumvention by concentrating on extra vessels in Putin’s shadow fleet and imposing new import and export bans."
The EU has already adopted sanctions in opposition to some Russian aluminum merchandise, with the latest measures additionally concentrating on primary aluminum. Russia represents round 6% of the EU's imports of the metallic.
The "shadow fleet" denotes a flotilla of getting older and poorly insured ships Russia makes use of to keep away from sanctions on the oil commerce. The West believes the vessels are used for different illicit actions, together with espionage and sabotage.
The aluminum ban shall be "phased in," whereas the bundle may also goal 13 banks and different entities and people seen as serving to Russia wage its full-scale conflict, the Financial Times reported.
EU Financial system and Commerce Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis commented that Brussels should take better management of its sanctions coverage in opposition to Russia as U.S. priorities shift.
The EU approved its fifteenth sanctions bundle in opposition to Moscow on Dec. 16. The bundle focused 54 people and 30 organizations from Russia, China, and North Korea, in addition to transport corporations facilitating Russia's crude oil gross sales.
The Kyiv IndependentChris York
US guarantees Europe to keep up sanctions in opposition to Russia not less than till Ukraine peace deal, Bloomberg storiesU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured European allies that the U.S. would preserve sanctions in opposition to Moscow not less than till an settlement is reached to finish the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 19, citing its undisclosed sources.
Within the practically three years for the reason that full-scale invasion, the U.S. has carried out a number of rounds of sanctions on Russia to undermine its efforts to proceed its conflict in Ukraine. Restrictions have been imposed on banks, the gasoline and oil industries, and the supply of dual-use items, amongst different spheres.
Following talks between the U.S. and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18, Rubio prompt that lifting sanctions in opposition to Russia can be a part of any peace course of, saying that "concessions" must be made by "all sides" to deliver an finish to "any battle."
Rubio added that the EU would "should be on the desk in some unspecified time in the future as a result of they’ve sanctions as effectively which were imposed."
In keeping with Bloomberg, Rubio subsequently assured European colleagues in a telephone name that the sanctions wouldn’t be lifted not less than till a settlement could possibly be reached.
The State Division's readout on Rubio's name with European allies doesn’t point out any sanctions however says that the nations "agreed to stay in shut contact" as they work to realize "a sturdy finish to the battle in Ukraine."
The function of European nations within the negotiations with Russia stays unclear. Trump's particular envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, beforehand stated that Europe wouldn’t be instantly involved within the talks however assured that its pursuits can be thought of.
The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat
Putin would 'gladly' meet Trump, says conflict in Ukraine must be 'labored out' upfrontRussian President Vladimir Putin stated on Feb. 19 that he had been briefed on the end result of U.S.-Russian talks in Riyadh, expressing willingness to fulfill with U.S. President Donald Trump.
"Sure, I've been reported. I charge them extremely. There’s a outcome," Putin advised Russian media.
He added that he would "gladly" meet with Trump however burdened that such a gathering have to be fastidiously ready. Putin emphasised that he seeks greater than only a symbolic assembly, saying key points, notably the conflict in Ukraine, have to be "labored out" upfront.
The Russian president additionally confirmed that Trump had advised him Ukraine can be included in any negotiation course of.
"President Trump advised me throughout a phone conversation, I can affirm that, in fact, the US assumes that the negotiation course of will happen with the participation of Russia and Ukraine," he stated.
Putin's remarks come after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led a delegation to Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18 for direct talks with Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov and different officers.
The assembly marked the primary face-to-face negotiations between the U.S. and Russia since Moscow's full-scale invasion started. In response to the talks, President Volodymyr Zelensky postponed a deliberate go to to Saudi Arabia, expressing considerations over Ukraine's exclusion.
Whereas no concrete choices had been introduced, the U.S.-Russia assembly has raised alarms in Kyiv and Europe, the place officers fear about being sidelined within the negotiation course of.
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova
Lithuania's president unveils 6-point plan to help Ukraine, strengthen European safetyLithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda outlined a six-point motion plan on Feb. 19 to help Ukraine and bolster European safety because the U.S. sidelines Europe in talks with Russia to finish the conflict, and considerations develop that negotiations might result in a deal unfavorable to Kyiv.
"We should act now to help Ukraine and enhance Europe's safety. No extra discuss retailers — time for motion," Nauseda wrote on X.
His proposal contains safety ensures for Ukraine, emphasizing that "NATO membership ought to stay on the desk." He additionally known as for rapid funding for arms and a 10-billion-euro ($10.4 billion) investment in Ukraine's protection trade.
Nauseda burdened that Russia have to be held accountable for conflict crimes, and sanctions ought to stay in place till its aggression ends, frozen assets are seized, and tariffs on Russian and Belarusian imports are carried out.
Over $300 billion of Russian central financial institution reserves stay frozen in Europe, together with 191 billion euros ($198 billion) held within the Euroclear depository in Belgium.
The Lithuanian president additionally proposed accelerating Ukraine's EU accession, setting 2030 because the goal date. "Ukraine's safety is a part of European safety," he wrote.
Neither Ukraine nor Europe was invited to talks between U.S. and Russian officers in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18. The transfer has set off alarm bells that the U.S. and Russia might attain an settlement on the conflict with out Ukraine or Europe's involvement, and one that will put their future safety in jeopardy.
The way forward for U.S. help for Ukraine below President Donald Trump's administration can also be unsure.
U.S. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth on Feb. 12 additionally prompt that Ukraine's NATO membership shouldn’t be a "realistic outcome" of ongoing negotiations and that Ukraine might not have the ability to absolutely restore its 2014 borders.
Ukraine has maintained that agency safety ensures — together with NATO membership — are vital to stop Russia from rebuilding its army and doubtlessly launching a brand new invasion if hostilities had been to pause.
President Volodymyr Zelensky beforehand known as NATO membership the "cheapest" safety assure and a geopolitical victory for U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukraine Warfare Newest is put collectively by the Kyiv Unbiased information desk crew, who preserve you knowledgeable 24 hours a day, seven days every week. If you happen to worth our work and need to guarantee we have now the sources to proceed, join the Kyiv Independent community.
Explosions occurred in Kyiv and Kyiv area, air protection is in operation
In Kyiv and the area, air protection programs had been noticed working in opposition to enemy UAVs. Throughout the evening, Russia launched 2 ballistic missiles and 167 drones, 106 of which had been shot down and 56 didn’t attain their targets.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda outlined a six-point motion plan on Feb. 19 to assist Ukraine and bolster European safety because the U.S. sidelines Europe in talks with Russia to finish the struggle, and considerations develop that negotiations may result in a deal unfavorable to Kyiv.
"We should act now to assist Ukraine and increase Europe's safety. No extra discuss outlets — time for motion," Nauseda wrote on X.
His proposal consists of safety ensures for Ukraine, emphasizing that "NATO membership ought to stay on the desk." He additionally referred to as for quick funding for arms and a 10-billion-euro ($10.4 billion) funding in Ukraine's protection trade.
Nauseda confused that Russia should be held accountable for struggle crimes, and sanctions ought to stay in place till its aggression ends, frozen belongings are seized, and tariffs on Russian and Belarusian imports are applied.
Over $300 billion of Russian central financial institution reserves stay frozen in Europe, together with 191 billion euros ($198 billion) held within the Euroclear depository in Belgium.
The Lithuanian president additionally proposed accelerating Ukraine's EU accession, setting 2030 because the goal date. "Ukraine's safety is a part of European safety," he wrote.
Neither Ukraine nor Europe was invited to talks between U.S. and Russian officers in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18. The transfer has set off alarm bells that the U.S. and Russia may attain an settlement on the struggle with out Ukraine or Europe's involvement, and one that will put their future safety in jeopardy.
The way forward for U.S. help for Ukraine underneath President Donald Trump's administration can be unsure.
U.S. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth on Feb. 12 additionally instructed that Ukraine's NATO membership isn’t a "reasonable final result" of ongoing negotiations and that Ukraine might not be capable of totally restore its 2014 borders.
Ukraine has maintained that agency safety ensures — together with NATO membership — are crucial to stop Russia from rebuilding its navy and probably launching a brand new invasion if hostilities had been to pause.
President Volodymyr Zelensky beforehand referred to as NATO membership the "most cost-effective" safety assure and a geopolitical victory for U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Kyiv IndependentSlavoj Žižek