Exclusives
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Europe now outspends America on Ukraine. The 30 thank-yous at Munich were the receipt.. Washington wants a bilateral deal with Russia. Ukraine spent Munich making that impossible. |
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Europe's Russia diagnosis has never been sharper. The prescription hasn't changed. At Munich, 2026's biggest security summit got everything right — except the follow-through |
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Russia's A-50 maker lost $65 million—its revenue collapsed 3.8 times in one year. Beriev, sole manufacturer of Russia's dwindling surveillance fleet, swings from profit to deep loss. |
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Ukraine's ex-energy minister charged with money laundering, caught fleeing at the border. The anti-corruption bureau that survived a crackdown is now charging officials who were untouchable months ago. |
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Ukraine used to beg for matching missiles. Shershen fires whatever's in the warehouse.. Shershen matches a lot of different radars, launchers and missiles. It's just what Ukraine needs. |
Military
Russia spent two months advancing in Zaporizhzhia Oblast — Ukraine clawed back up to 9.5 km in a week. Counterattacks pushed Russian forces from over a dozen settlements and disrupted the timeline for a hypothetical Orikhiv-Zaporizhzhia operation, though Mashovets cautions Ukraine lacks the forces for anything beyond tactical stabilization.
Ukraine reports "confident control" over Kupiansk with just dozens of Russian troops left in one quarter. A spokesperson for Ukraine's Joint Forces says only 22 enemy radios were detected as of 15 February.
Russia says Bryansk experienced "most powerful" attack ever — it's where missiles reach Kyiv in minutes. "Civilians without electricity is not the primary goal," expert says. "But these are consequences, and Russian citizens need to feel the full burden of the war."
Russia prepares combat planes for "peace talks" with Ukraine in EU. Satellite imagery shows bombers repositioned.
Intelligence and technology
Sanctions working: Russia's Beriev aircraft complex swings from $15M profit to $65M loss in one year. Russia's A-50 surveillance aircraft manufacturer just posted financials. The swing from 2024 to 2025 is dramatic.
Franco-Italian next-generation SAMP/T system can help Ukraine counter Russia's record number of ballistics. But production is too slow. Expert: Russia is "testing global air defense under combat conditions," seeking "gaps" with Zircons and ballistics.
SpaceX's Starlink block is already disrupting Russia's elite drone unit as predicted, ISW says.
International
How Ukrainian soldier sees European aid strategy: War is Europe's best security guarantee — that's why quick pressure on Russia isn't its goal. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are already in Russia's constitution.
Oreshnik missile lands near Ukraine-Poland border—now Warsaw weighs nukes. Poland's president was asked about Moscow's reaction to nuclear plans. His answer dismissed the concern.
Children of Russian war-linked elites study in Europe and US. Zelenskyy just told them to "f* away to Russia". Russian officials live in the West while their system funds the war.
Russia's election demand for Ukraine comes with a catch — only a pro-Kremlin result will do, ISW says. Moscow uses the "illegitimate government" claim to insist on controlling Ukraine's politics. ISW warns the US must lock in security guarantees before any territory deal to prevent Russia from rejecting them after Ukraine has already committed to concessions.
Humanitarian and social impact
Russia launched 4 "Mach 9" anti-ship missiles at Ukraine's power grid — air defenses downed two and 52 of 62 drones. The Zircon was designed to sink US Navy warships, not hit power substations — yet Russia again fired them from occupied Crimea at Ukrainian energy infrastructure alongside nightly Shahed attack drones.
They said the van was going to the front to save wounded soldiers — it was a remote-controlled bomb. SBU detained two suspects who rigged a Peugeot Partner with explosives and gas cylinders under the cover of a medevac conversion, then parked it next to an SBU building in Kyiv — Russian handlers monitored the scene via webcam and detonated the bomb remotely.
Political and legal developments
21,400 disinformation posts in three days: Russia returns "ungrateful Ukraine" narrative to Europe ahead of Geneva talks. Splitting NATO, portraying Ukraine as failed state, labeling it terrorist — it's Russia's pre-Geneva push.
Russia is prosecuting a German carnival float builder — he responded by making another Putin float. Moscow charges Jacques Tilly with "defaming Russian state organs" and threatens him with up to 10 years in prison, but Düsseldorf's legendary satirist says he won't be intimidated and is rolling out a new Putin wagon for Monday's Rose Monday parade.
Read our earlier daily review here.
