As the war in Ukraine nears its fourth anniversary, escalating attacks and diplomatic tensions are raising concerns about a prolonged conflict. Recent developments include reported damage to energy infrastructure and heightened rhetoric from Moscow regarding its nuclear capabilities.
The Latest in This News Ticker
- Merz Calls for Increased Pressure on Russia – Against Putin’s “Madness” and “Barbarity”>Merz will Druck auf Russland erhöhen – Gegen Putins „Wahnsinn“ und „Barbarei“
- Putin Emphasizes the Importance of Russian Nuclear Weapons – “Unconditional Priority” – On the Day of the Defender of the Fatherland, Putin addresses the Russian population.
- Heavy Losses for Russia – Putin’s army loses numerous soldiers and military equipment in the war in Ukraine.
- New Ukraine Talks Planned – New negotiations could begin in the coming days.
- Alarm in NATO Country – Air force scrambles fighter jets
Update, 18:50 Uhr: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has followed through on his threatened “countermeasure” against neighboring Ukraine. Because Russian oil is no longer flowing through the Druzhba pipeline via Ukraine into Slovakia, he has ordered the immediate cessation of Slovak emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine.
Transparency Note
The information processed here comes from news agencies and international sources, but too from warring parties in the Ukraine war. The information cannot be independently verified.
In a Facebook video, Fico stated that he had previously requested an urgent phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Because Zelenskyy was not available until Wednesday, Slovakia feels “forced to immediately take the first reciprocal measure.” The measure will be “immediately reversed as soon as the oil transit to Slovakia is renewed,” Fico said. Oil from Russia is delivered to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline. Ukrainian officials say it has been interrupted since the end of January due to Russian bombing. Hungary and Slovakia accuse the Ukrainian leadership of deliberately preventing the resumption of supplies.
Drone Attack on Oil Pumping Station in Russia
Update, 16:43 Uhr: The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) is believed to be responsible for a drone attack on the Kaleykino oil pumping station in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan. According to a report by ukrinform citing an SBU source, the security service attacked the facility in Kaleikino with long-range drones overnight. Six explosions were reportedly heard during the attack, followed by a large fire. Oil storage tanks at the station caught fire.
“The SBU is systematically working to reduce the oil production and transport capacities of Russia. Our special operations methodically interrupt the flow of petrodollars into the Russian budget, with which the war against Ukraine is financed. This function will continue to exhaust and dry up the Russian economy,” the source emphasized.
Ukraine War Update: Nearly $500 Billion Needed for Ukraine Reconstruction, New Estimate Says
Update, 15:39 Uhr: The Ukraine war has caused nearly $200 billion in direct damage within just under four years, according to a new estimate. Between February 24, 2022, and the end of December 2025, the total damage amounted to $195.1 billion (approximately €165 billion), according to a joint report by the World Bank, the European Commission, the Ukrainian government, and the United Nations. Approximately $587.7 billion (nearly €500 billion) will be needed over the next ten years to rebuild the country. Housing, the transport sector, and energy supply have been particularly destroyed.
Ukraine War Update: Kyiv Reports Strike Against Russian Missile Division in Crimea
Update, 14:22 Uhr: Ukrainian forces have reportedly struck an area in Russian-occupied Crimea where the missile division of the 15th Separate Coastal Missile Brigade of the Russian Black Sea Fleet is concentrated. The Ukrainian General Staff announced this on Facebook. The targets were hit during the Ukrainian attack on Monday, and Russian losses are currently being assessed.
Merz Calls for Increased Pressure on Russia
Update, 13:24 Uhr: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is calling for increased pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine. “This war will only end when Russia no longer sees any point in continuing it. When Russia can no longer expect any territorial gains, when Russia’s costs for this madness have simply become too high,” Merz said at the CDU-affiliated Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s “Cafe Kyiv” Ukraine Forum in Berlin. He demanded: “we must maintain pressure on Russia. We must even increase it.”
Ahead of the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Chancellor condemned the nature of the Russian war effort, in which war crimes are committed every day. “This country is currently at its lowest point of deepest barbarity under this leadership. And no one should doubt with what regime and with what barbarity we have had to deal with from Russia in these years,” Merz said.
Current Situation in the Ukraine War: Drone Attack on Oil Pumping Station in Russia
Update, 12:01 Uhr: Reports emerged overnight of a drone attack on an oil pumping station in Russia. The Telegram channel Astra reported that the Kaleykino oil pumping station in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan was attacked, a key hub for the operation of the Druzhba export oil pipeline. Videos circulating online show a large fire with high flames at the station site.
The Kaleykino facility is considered the most powerful facility of its kind in the region. It is an vital logistics hub for the Russian energy system and therefore essential for Russia’s economy.
Ukraine War Update: Wadephul Accuses Hungary of Betraying “Its Own Fight for Freedom”
Update, 10:44 Uhr: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has accused Hungary of betrayal in light of Hungary blocking further EU aid to Ukraine. “I do not think it is right for Hungary to betray its own fight for freedom, for European sovereignty,” the CDU politician said on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. He said Hungary’s position was surprising and that they would continue to engage with Hungary with arguments and discussion.
Putin Emphasizes the Importance of Russian Nuclear Weapons – “Unconditional Priority”
Update, 9:39 Uhr: Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Russian people on the Day of the Defender of the Fatherland, emphasizing the importance of nuclear weapons for the country’s security. “The development of the nuclear triad remains an unconditional priority, as it ensures the security of Russia and provides effective strategic deterrence and a balance of power in the world,” Putin said in a video message to his compatriots on the non-working holiday.
The Kremlin chief also said that other branches of the armed forces should also be developed to improve their “combat readiness, mobility and ability to operate under all, even the most difficult conditions.” Putin also praised the Russian army’s fight in the war in Ukraine and honored the fallen. He did not provide figures on the number of soldiers killed in the war.
Current Situation in the Ukraine War: Two People Killed in Russian Attacks in Odesa
Update, 8:35 Uhr: Two people have been killed in a Russian attack on the Odesa region, according to Ukrainian officials. Three people were injured, Ukrainian rescue services said on Telegram. A Russian drone hit a truck stop, causing a fire that killed the people.
Heavy Losses for Russia
Update, 7:45 Uhr: Kyiv has released new figures on Russia’s losses in the war in Ukraine today. According to the General Staff, Russian forces lost approximately 720 soldiers within 24 hours. In total, more than 1.26 million Russian soldiers have been killed or seriously wounded in the fighting, according to the data. The data cannot be independently verified. An overview of the figures cited by Kyiv follows:
- Soldiers: 1,260,500 (+720 from the previous day)
- Tanks: 11,696 (+2)
- Artillery Systems: 37,510 (+40)
- Multiple Rocket Launchers: 1654 (+2)
- Air Defense Systems: 1304 (+1)
- Cruise Missiles: 4347 (+33)
Current Situation in the Ukraine War: Russia Asked to Remove “Victory” Banner at Embassy in South Korea
Update, 7:00 Uhr: South Korea has demanded that the Russian embassy in Seoul remove a “Victory” banner. The banner, with the inscription “Victory will be ours,” was placed at the embassy shortly before the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said. Seoul also called for an end to military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, which it considers a serious threat to South Korea’s security. There was no immediate statement from the Russian embassy.
Ukraine War Update: Power Supply in Zaporizhzhia Almost Restored
Update, 5:50 Uhr: In the Russian-occupied part of the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia, the power supply has largely been restored after a Ukrainian attack. Only 12,000 households in one district are still without power, Ukrainian rescue services said on Telegram. Previously, there had been two power outages in the region following a Ukrainian attack on Sunday on the energy infrastructure.
Current Escalation in the Ukraine War: Mutual Attacks Cripple Power Grids
Update, 23. February, 4:50 Uhr: Ukraine and Russia attacked each other’s energy infrastructure again on Sunday. The attacks led to emergency shutdowns in several regions of Ukraine, including the greater Kyiv area.
According to Reuters, one person was killed and five injured in the Russian attacks in the region around the Ukrainian capital. In the Russian-occupied territories, Moscow authorities also reported damage: Power outages occurred in the Saporizhzhia region, and a fuel depot caught fire after a Ukrainian drone attack in Luhansk. The Russian Defense Ministry said it had shot down 86 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions and Crimea.
Ukraine War Update: Energy Battles Continue – Power Outage in Zaporizhzhia
Update, 11:43 Uhr: Ukraine has attacked the energy infrastructure in the Russian-occupied region of Zaporizhzhia, causing a widespread power outage. The Kaleykino pumping station, a key hub for the operation of the Druzhba export oil pipeline, was reportedly targeted.
The Kaleykino facility is considered the most powerful of its kind in the region and is essential for Russia’s economy.
New Ukraine Talks Planned
Update, 10:54 Uhr: Russian bomber planes triggered an alarm in a NATO country overnight, as Polish Air Force scrambled fighter jets, according to the dpa. The reason was the sighting of Russian long-range aircraft attacking targets in Ukraine.
Trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States could begin again in the coming days, Russia’s state news agency Tass reported, citing an unnamed source in Moscow. According to the source, negotiators could meet again in Geneva as early as February 26. There was no confirmation from Kyiv or Washington. February 24 marks the fourth anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
After two meetings in Abu Dhabi in January and early February, representatives from Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington met in Geneva in mid-February. Russia’s chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky subsequently described the talks as “difficult but substantive.”
Current Situation in the Ukraine War: Ukraine Attack Damages Energy Infrastructure in Belgorod
Update, 5:50 Uhr: A Ukrainian missile attack has severely damaged energy infrastructure in the Russian region of Belgorod, according to authorities. There were interruptions in the electricity, water, and heating supply in residential buildings, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on the Telegram messaging service. The city of Belgorod, located 40 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, and the surrounding region were affected. The extent of the damage is to be determined at daybreak.
