Daily review

Russia's Paralympic flag has been restored despite the war having killed 644 Ukrainian athletes, with Putin calling the development "our common great victory."

Zelenskyy announced preparations for a government reboot if Russia torpedoes peace talks, saying Ukraine will need fresh forces for a technological fight. He also insisted UK and French troop deployments are "mandatory" for security guarantees.

Meanwhile, Kremlin-linked analysts admit Russia faces an inevitable recession by July 2026 regardless of whether the war ends.

Forced evacuations begin in Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, while spy chief Budanov takes over the presidential office amid a corruption probe.

Russia's 2025 losses exceeded 418,000 troops as Ukraine opened 2026 with strikes on oil infrastructure and a masterful deception operation.

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Trump faced significant criticism for claiming that "Russia wants Ukraine succeed," prompting a viral reaction from President Zelenskyy.

Trump continues to insist Putin is "serious about peace" even as Ukraine prepares to present him with evidence of over 2,100 Russian drone strikes in a single week.

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On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces report that Russian mechanized assaults continue to fail, forcing Moscow's troops into slow, foot-paced advances across multiple fronts as commanders face criticism from their own military bloggers.

Ukraine shot down 587 of 673 Russian missiles and drones in a massive assault targeting critical infrastructure, as President Zelenskyy announced draft security guarantees following meetings with US and European partners. The attack triggered emergency shutdowns at major industrial sites including Zaporizhstal steelworks.

EU transfers $2.7 billion to Ukraine, while the US and Russia split over Miami peace talks.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine can't afford 800,000-strong army alone as allied funding becomes post-war security guarantee.

Ukrainian long-range operations reached the Mediterranean and Caspian while the EU approved joint borrowing for Kyiv - but stalled €210 billion in Russian assets decisions until 2027.

Ukrainian drones destroyed S-400 launchers, a MiG-31 jet, and an oil tanker while Kyiv debuted its first successful underwater drone strike on a Russian submarine - as EU leaders in Brussels debated seizing €200 billion in frozen Kremlin assets amid personal threats from Moscow.

The United States has committed to protecting Ukraine "as if it were NATO territory" under new security guarantees.

Ukraine disables Russian Varshavyanka-class submarine at Novorossiysk port, achieving "impossible" against multi-layered defenses.

EU deadlocked on €210 billion Ukraine loan as Belgium and Italy block frozen Russian assets plan.

European leaders secured frozen Russian assets worth billions while overcoming Hungarian obstruction, as Ukraine's forces encircled Russians in Kupiansk. Zelenskyy heads to Berlin Sunday to discuss European security amid concerns over Trump's peace proposal.

SBU drones struck a Lukoil oil platform 900 km from Ukraine's border, while on the ground, Russian assault waves collapsed under constant drone strikes in Pokrovsk sector.