Exclusives
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Ukraine promised 4 gigawatts of new power. Private firms built most of what exists (INFOGRAPHICS). Corruption froze the tender meant to let businesses fill the gap. |
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Why are 15 EU states lining up to buy Ukrainian weapons?. First Ukrainian-designed drone produced in Germany expected within days. |
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Ukraine broke Russian naval blockade—why is 10 million tons of grain still stuck in storage?. Port strikes cut monthly shipments by up to 30%, leaving 10 million tons of grain unsold. |
Military
85 km/h, 600 kg payload — and defenseless: Ukrainian drones destroy Russia's logistics platform. Signum Battalion systematic destruction continues. The Ulan-2 turned to scrap.
About 455 apartment buildings lose heating in Russian Belgorod after drone attack. Kindergartens are switching to 24-hour operations and families with children are being relocated from Belgorod as the Russian border city drains heating systems in hundreds of buildings following strikes on the Belgorod electrical substation and Luch thermal power plant.
Intelligence and technology
Lithuania launches 4th Radarom campaign — €5.7M raised previously, now fundraising for AI combat robots for Ukraine's army. Lithuania fundraising for AI-equipped tracked robots and drone interceptors begins.
Russia claims new batch of Su‑57 fighters rolled out despite Western sanctions — UAC says upgraded jets are combat-ready. "New batch" delivered in "new configuration," says the producer.
More French Mirage jets and AASM bombs could soon bolster Ukraine's skies amid Russia's winter attacks. French minister visited air defense positions, then signed joint production deal with Ukraine.
More than half of these Russian drone makers aren't sanctioned. Why that matters goes beyond Ukraine. Russia's combat drone experience isn't staying in Russia. Iran and North Korea are watching Russian drone warfare.
Ukraine secures 150 Swedish Gripens and 100 French Rafales in twin fighter jet deals. Ukraine has locked in commitments for 250 Western fighter jets through separate agreements with Sweden and France, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed while visiting the Kyiv Aviation Institute.
France offers replacement radar for Ukrainian SAMP/T system during repairs. Ukraine will receive a substitute radar for the SAMP/T air defense complex from France to bridge the gap during repairs, Vautrin told reporters in Kyiv, while also revealing that missile manufacturer MBDA doubled its production capacity between 2024 and 2025.
Russian military promises $240 to Ukrainians who register Starlink terminals. Ukrainians who participate in Russian schemes to illegally register Starlink terminals face 15 years to life imprisonment, warns Ukraine's defense technology advisor
International
Kremlin's expectations unmet: Russia angry at US sanctions on top energy companies. Lavrov calls it "Bidenism."
Reuters: Ukraine's foreign minister says "only Trump can stop the war" as peace talks gain momentum. Kyiv wants to lock in Washington's commitments before US midterm election politics drain the process
Ukraine pushes EU to blacklist Russian combatants following Estonia's lead. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has called on the EU to implement an entry ban for Russian citizens who participated in the war against Ukraine
Italy reports 'serious sabotage' on railways as Winter Olympics kick off. Unknown perpetrators set fires, cut electrical cables, and placed an explosive device at three locations across northern Italy's rail network, officials said, creating transport chaos as the Winter Olympics began.
Humanitarian and social impact
Ex-POW reveals Ukrainian journalist self-harmed in Russian jail after repeated requests for psychologist denied. Viktoriia Roshchyna inflicted cuts on herself during a hysterical breakdown triggered by guards denying her access to psychological support at Taganrog pre-trial detention center, a former prisoner who was in a neighboring cell said
Nearly 9,000 Kyivans seek warmth as capital faces worst power, heating crisis — Zelenskyy. Ukraine is increasing Ukrzaliznytsia repair crews from 40 to 60 brigades and adding Naftogaz teams specifically to assist Kyiv, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy identified as facing the worst electricity and heating situation among all oblasts
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