Georgia:

Day 441 of daily, uninterrupted protests in 8+ cities in Georgia. This is Tbilisi, the capital. 🇬🇪🇪🇺

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 1:32 PM

RFE/RL reported that the EU may include the Kulevi port, located in Georgia, in its 20th package of sanctions. In response to Publika’s question, Kaja Kallas said that they expect to discuss the Maritime Service Bank, adding that “unless everything is agreed, nothing is agreed.”

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 10:33 AM

According to the RFE/RL, a proposal prepared by the European Commission includes a ban on transactions with four specific port terminals in Russia and in “third countries.” The port of Kulevi is mentioned among them.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 10:35 AM

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 6:20 AM

Georgia, the most persistent civic resistance in contemporary Europe, needs one key ingredient — a viable political alternative. In the absence of a dominant, that means some form of unity among democratic parties.

Such an alternative would swing the process in several ways: 🧵

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 6:50 AM

1. Currently, most average Georgians are increasingly dismissive of the regime but most people have the feeling that their resource and sacrifice today would be just a shot in the air, & it would not flow into the common flow of victory. They don’t feel any backing protection; 2/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 6:50 AM

2. The elites need somewhere to defect to. Once they feel the growing pressure of international isolation and financial depletion, who would they talk to, a bunch of parties with no clear dominant or a consolidated alternative platform? 3/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 6:50 AM

3. Whenever I talk with the diaspora, they do want to fund the resistance, but are confused about whom to transfer the funds. Once they just get a “menu” of democratic parties, they often hesitate, since they don’t have much intimate trust towards any one. 4/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 6:50 AM

On an international level, I don’t believe the Georgian Dream could fully reverse legitimacy and isolation problem, but it’s much easier to impose sanctions and arrange high-level diplomatic meetings when there’s a “government-in-waiting.” 5/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 6:50 AM

I do believe in our victory, but the existence of a viable, unified alternative would greatly decide on whether it’s a protracted and grueling process or whether the victory is rather quick and civilized. 6/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 6:50 AM

And it’s not like international window of opportunities such as the EU integration could wait forever.

This is my position as well as party Droa’s position, and we spare no effort to make this happen. 7/7.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 6:50 AM

A truly Kafkaesque trial, with the intent to harm and repress but next to no substance, vague charges and random items such as “evidence, the prosecution has submitted records of viewing Zelenskyy’s website and Arakhamia’s website.” #Georgia

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— Hans Gutbrod (@hansgutbrod.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 11:18 PM

Orban’s loss will be a game-changer not just for the entire democratic world. He’s a Trojan horse.

Quite a remarkable example of how a flawed electoral system could doom the world.

Mixed-member proportional system gave unlimited power to Orban and the Georgian Dream, both.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 9:03 AM

Southeast Asia:

Russia is feeding “disposable” trafficking victims from South-East Asia into its meatgrinder as well as mercenaries from the region. “Southeast Asia’s Mercenary Pipeline”, by @munira.bsky.social.

thediplomat.com/2026/02/sout…

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— Keir Giles (@keirgiles.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 4:41 AM

From The Diplomat:

On January 26, United24 Media reported that according to Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence, a “foreign mercenary from the Philippines fighting for Russia” had been killed in Donetsk. The deceased was identified as John Patrick, a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines. Evidence found on his person suggested he had received a mere week of training before deployment. Patrick reportedly had no Russian language capability, and when wounded, was left to die without assistance or evacuation – yet another odnarazki (disposable) casualty of Russia’s infamous meat grinder.

Less than two weeks before Patrick’s death, the Philippine Star had reported that the Philippine Bureau of Immigration had intercepted two Filipino men at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on January 2, believed to be bound for Russia as victims of a human trafficking scheme for illegal employment abroad. Both men were recruited through social media with promises of legal work in Russia at salaries of ₱100,000 to ₱150,000 (approximately $1,698 to $2,546) and the prospect of using Russia as a gateway to Europe. The article did not specify what kind of work.

Meanwhile, former Indonesian police service Brimob officer Muhammad Rio and ex-marine Satria Arta Kumbara went viral for their TikTok clips, showcasing videos of them fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Rio revealed that he was recruited by the Wagner Group. According to news reports, Rio had deserted his post on December 8 and left Indonesia on the 18th, while Kumbara was dishonorably discharged in 2023. Rio shared battle footage with former colleagues, boasting of joining the Russian mercenary division and his substantial ruble salary.

What’s notable about these cases are the significant differences in motives and circumstances. Rio and Kumbara made it clear their participation in the conflict was financially motivated, and that they were drawn by salaries far exceeding what they could earn at home. Patrick, in contrast, died under circumstances that invited more questions than answers, but bore all the hallmarks of deception.

Southeast Asia Was Never Insulated From the Conflict

The involvement of foreign fighters in the Russia-Ukraine conflict is not new. Following Russia’s invasion in 2022, both sides sought to replenish their ranks with foreign recruits. Ukraine established an international legion with offers of pay and citizenship, which is currently undergoing restructuring, and maintains that its recruitment operates openly and legitimately, even as volunteers accept that their service may carry legal risks at home.

Russia, meanwhile, leveraged the “mercenary mystique” cultivated by the late Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner Group, a recruitment strategy President Vladimir Putin later formalized through a July 2025 decree permitting foreigners to serve during mobilization periods. At their peak, Wagner’s exaggerated and glorified battlefield exploits on platforms like TikTok earned them 1 billion views, adding to their appeal and enticing young men across the globe to lionize them.

What distinguishes the recent Southeast Asian cases is the divergence in how these men came to fight. Rio and Kumbara enlisted voluntarily, drawn by Wagner’s allure and salaries that dwarfed anything available at home. Patrick’s trajectory appears markedly different. While the specifics of his recruitment remain unclear, the circumstances of his death (minimal training, no language capability, abandoned without assistance) echo patterns documented across the Global South: employment agencies, social media platforms, and recruiters offering promises of legitimate work, only to deploy these individuals to the front lines. The interception of two other Filipinos just days before Patrick’s death, recruited under false employment promises, suggests these networks have extended their operations to the region.

This phenomenon is not isolated to Southeast Asia. In April 2024, Ukrainian forces captured Chinese nationals fighting for Russia. Interviews revealed these men were lured by salaries substantially higher than what they could earn at home, only to encounter poor battlefield conditions and inadequate preparation that left many disillusioned and desperate to return home. China’s Foreign Ministry responded by reiterating that Beijing discourages its citizens from involvement in armed conflicts. Yet investigations by Chinese journalists found that Russian recruitment adverts and combat livestreams from Chinese fighters proliferated on social media platforms like Douyin. Official messaging proved no match for digital recruitment infrastructure.

What began as voluntary recruitment driven by financial incentives has evolved into a form of systematic deception. Some fighters have been motivated by pay, others by ideological alignment with Russia’s narrative, and many out of ignorance and little understanding of the conflict’s geopolitical context. By late 2024, more reports emerged of increasingly nefarious operations: men deceived into combat roles and women duped into forced labor at drone factories in Tatarstan under promises of cushy jobs with pathways to Europe, only to find themselves assembling weapons destined for the front. Many were pressured to sign documents in Russian, which they couldn’t understand. The majority were drawn from Africa, South Asia, and South America, regions where economic precarity could be most easily exploited.

Media coverage has been loose with terminology, framing these individuals as mercenaries without regard for recruitment context. But the distinction between voluntary enlistment and trafficking is a profound one. Legal scholars have argued that fighters misled into combat should be classified as victims of servitude and human trafficking under international human rights law, entitling them to protections, including repatriation rights. The distinction shapes government’s diplomatic responses, determining whether they engage in quiet negotiations for repatriation or public denunciations and citizenship revocations.

Legal frameworks hinge on this categorization. Mercenary activity typically violates domestic law and invites prosecution, while trafficking victims may warrant consular assistance and rehabilitative support. The problem is that proving intent, establishing knowledge, and demonstrating coercion remain extraordinarily difficult when recruitment occurs through intermediaries operating across borders and digital platforms beyond state jurisdictions. Ukraine processes foreign POWs in accordance with the Geneva Convention, but many of these odnarazkis remain in limbo as their home governments display minimal urgency in securing their repatriation.

Regional responses have varied. Indonesia recently revoked the citizenship of Rio and Kumbara, a swift and punitive response that sent a clear message about participating in foreign wars without presidential approval. But citizenship revocation only matters if fighters decide to return, and does little to deter wannabe combatants or dismantle the networks that facilitate their departure.

More at the link.

The EU:

Kaja Kallas:

“We have to understand how the Russian negotiation tactic is. It’s always to demand something, absolute maximum, something that has never been yours. And then present threats, ultimatums, use force. And then eventually there will always be people in

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 9:39 AM

the West who will offer you something so that you walk away with more than you had.”

Absolutely 💯 Russian razvodnyak.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 9:39 AM

Kaja Kallas:

“The size of the Ukrainian army is not the problem because they haven’t attacked Russia.

The size of the Russian army is a problem for all its neighbors. The size of Russian military budget is a problem for all.

So we need to see what kind of concessions are they willing to make?”

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 9:47 AM

France:

“Cheap Russian energy stopped in 2022.
There is no way back.” – French President Macron.

‘Cheap russian energy’ is anything but cheap. The cost is measured not in money, but in Ukrainian blood.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 11:57 AM

Macron: Elon Musk is first a an over subsidised guy

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— Olga Nesterova (@onestpress.onestnetwork.com) February 11, 2026 at 3:31 PM

The Munich Security Conference:

This week’s Munich Security Conference comes at a volatile time in world history.

Last year, JD Vance stunned the world with his Munich speech. And this year’s security report says the US is leading the destruction of the post-1945 order.

What do you guys think we will see?

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 2:09 AM

The US:

Now we’re being pressured by Americans to hold elections under the threat of losing “security guarantees” (didn’t even know we had any). All because there’s a political calendar in D.C. that needs to look good for the midterms.

How do you propose this works?

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 10:18 AM

Do we put ballot boxes in the trenches under active artillery fire? Do we ignore the voices of millions of displaced people scattered across the globe? We have hundreds of thousands of soldiers in combat. Forcing an election during an active war without a ceasefire is just pure bullshit.

— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 10:18 AM

I expect this will also go nowhere. President Zelenskyy, his team, and most Ukrainians have figured out they’re never going to get security guarantees from the US and this demand, while being made by Trump, is really coming from Putin who is convinced he can ratfuck a Ukrainian wartime election into bringing a quisling into power in Kyiv.

This is the reality of US aid to Ukraine under the Trump administration:

According to the Ukraine Support Tracker, U.S. military aid fell 99% in 2025, while EU aid rose 67%. Despite Europe’s increased support, the massive U.S. decline kept overall aid at previous levels.
www.kielinstitut.de/publications…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 10:05 AM

The largest donors in 2025 were Germany (€9 billion), the United Kingdom (€5.4 billion), Sweden (€3.7 billion), Norway (€3.6 billion), and Denmark (€2.6 billion).

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 10:05 AM

Back to Ukraine.

This morning in Ukraine:

It’s midday. Ukraine is under russian attack. Missiles explode as far west as Lviv.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 7:59 AM

Earlier today in Kharkiv:

Kharkiv is under russian balistic missile attack right now! Russia continues to terrorize civilians!

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 1:25 PM

Borschivka, Kharkiv Oblast:

Russian drone struck a healthcare vehicle near Borshchivka, Kharkiv Oblast.

The car was taking dialysis patients home.

A 63-year-old woman was killed. A 60-year-old patient was injured. The others suffered acute stress reactions.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 9:09 AM

Barvinkove, Kharkiv Oblast:

Russian attack set a shop ablaze in Barvinkove, Kharkiv Oblast.

At least seven people were injured.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 3:02 PM

Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv Oblast:

New details have emerged about the russian attack on a private home in Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv region, that killed 3 children and their father‼️

Russians struck a family home with a Shahed drone. The house was completely destroyed and burned down, leaving the residents trapped under the rubble.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 8:09 AM

The victims of the attack were three young children: a one‑year‑old girl and two two‑year‑old boys, along with their 34‑year‑old father.

The mother, who is 35 weeks pregnant, was hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury and burns to her torso.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 8:09 AM

The entire day I’ve been thinking of them. They had just bought a new house and were preparing to do the housewarming, settling in, and awaiting the birth of another baby.

Last night, a russian Geran-2 strike hit their home directly, killing 34yo father Hryhoriy and their 3 small children.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 1:49 PM

Two twin boys Ivanko and Vladyk aged 2, their 1yo sister Myroslava were killed.

Only their mother survived.

Hryhoriy was a war veteran, he lost his leg in action.

How many more futures will be destroyed before russia’s terror is stopped? 💔

This is unforgivable.

— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 1:49 PM

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast:

Four people were killed and three injured in russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 3:06 PM

Kherson:

In Kherson a russian FPV drone struck a cargo truck carrying a fuel tank, causing an explosion and fire at a gas station.

Despite the dangerous conditions, firefighters extinguished the blaze and prevented it from spreading to the station’s building and equipment.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 12:39 PM

Fortunately no casualties were reported.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 12:39 PM

FP-1/FP-2 guided drone with 50/100kg warhead strike on the Russian Tor air defence system in Kherson region.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 10:02 AM

Ivanivske, Donetsk Oblast:

Ivanivske, in the Donetsk region, was once a peaceful and cozy village.

The russians have turned it into a scorched desert, destroying everything that was once dear to people living here, destroying their homes and lives.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 1:52 PM

Kyiv:

Two loud explosions in Kyiv – sirens still sounding after warnings on Telegram of two ballistic missiles incoming from fascist Russia’s Bryansk Oblast. No time for anyone to reach shelter. Just heard another series of blasts – reports say another two ballistics were incoming.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 7:29 PM

Russian/Iranian Shahed-type attack drones also incoming to Kyiv. Simultaneous Russian ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv and Dnipro. Earlier, infrastructure and business center struck in attacks on Odesa.

— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 7:35 PM

Ballistic attacks are so fast that, in the middle of the night, the most you can do is realize they’re coming. Heard eight powerful explosions. Now we are under a Shahed attack here in Kyiv.

— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 8:21 PM

Lyman, Donetsk Oblast:

Russian occupiers burned their own vehicle near the line of combat contact close to the city of Lyman.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 9:47 AM

Russian occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

Partisans from the “Atesh” movement report that Russian occupiers are building a new military base in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region. The Russians are trying to create a rear base for training reserves and drone operators.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 7:25 AM

Large-scale construction is underway in the urban-type settlement of Myrne. A permanent field camp is being built there to accommodate personnel, as well as training grounds for UAV operators.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 7:25 AM

Russia:

Russian propagandist Tsaryov writes that the WhatsApp messenger has also been blocked in Russia.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 12:24 PM

Tambov Oblast, Russia:

A high-speed drone (jet drone?) is seen striking the Progress plant, a strategically critical Russian defense enterprise in Michurinsk, Tambov Oblast, and a second drone appears to strike off-camera. The plant produces components for Russian missile and drone navigation systems.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 7:19 PM

Belgorod Oblast, Russia:

In Belgorod this evening, air raid sirens are wailing and explosions can be heard.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 2:01 PM

Volgograd Oblast, Russia:

Russian media report that the “Lukoil-Volgograd” refinery is on fire after a drone attack. This key refinery in Volgograd is the largest producer of petroleum products in Russia’s Southern Federal District, processing over 15 million tons of oil a year and supplying Putin’s war machine.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 11, 2026 at 5:12 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

CAT OF CONFLICT:
Today’s Cat of Conflict is Oleksandra’s cat Compote (it’s also the name of a Ukrainian winter drink made from boiled fruit). Compote isn’t the biggest fan of his new sweater, but without it he gets really cold.

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— Tim Mak (@timkmak.bsky.social) February 4, 2026 at 9:39 AM

Open thread!

Many Changes Are Underway in Our Air Defense Operations – Address by the President

10 February 2026 – 20:03

I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today I had a long discussion with military officials – the Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of the General Staff, and the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Many changes are underway in our air defense operations: in some regions, the way teams work is being almost completely reorganized – interceptors, mobile fire groups, and the entire short-range air defense component. But this is only one of the elements of defense that need changes, and the changes are coming. This also concerns oversight of the frontline supplies with drones, weapons, and, most importantly, personnel. People are indeed the key issue: their training and the actual replenishment of brigades. The Minister of Defense of Ukraine, together with the military command, is preparing the necessary decisions – measures that will strengthen Ukraine and solve existing problems. It’s too early to share the details publicly. Once the decisions are fully developed, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and our army will present them to the public.

We are preparing for two systemic security events that will take place this week. The first is a defense ministers’ format involving countries standing with Ukraine. New support packages for our defense will be announced. The second is the Munich Security Conference, in which Ukraine will take part. It is important that Ukraine’s signals are heard by Europe, heard by America, and by all our partners. I am confident they will be. More joint activity in the interest of security is needed. More joint production, more advanced capabilities, and, of course, more coordination. If Europeans act separately, many around the world play against Europe. Unity is needed for all of us in Europe. This is exactly what we are working on.

I want to thank all countries, I want to thank every leader, and every people helping Ukraine’s energy system right now – our cities, our communities, and the ongoing recovery efforts after Russian attacks. In some of our regions, restoration work is practically constant – Russian strikes continue, and our people keep bringing back the power and getting the energy systems running again. I want to thank everyone who works for Ukrainians, for bringing light to our people.

Today, three regions faced the most difficult electricity supply situation. These are Kharkiv region, Poltava region, Sumy and the region. There is a specific problem in part of Odesa region – mostly in the south, where many houses rely on electric heating, and winters as cold as these weeks are really rare. Local and regional authorities, along with government officials, have the resources to help people. This must be felt in every community. The capital remains one of the most problematic areas – a significant number of buildings are without heat. And I thank the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, our energy workers, and everyone carrying out the commitments we agreed upon in our coordination calls – making sure that every building left without heat has sufficient access to electricity. This is a matter of principle – I ask local authorities and all services to really monitor this constantly. The same approach must apply in other cities and communities. Unfortunately, in some cases, full reports on problems are missing, and valuable time is lost. Today, we reviewed such situations in Kyiv, Okhtyrka, and Kryvyi Rih. Every community head and all responsible services must pay real attention to what is happening with buildings in communities, grids, and the implementation of mandatory decisions that help people. We are monitoring this at all levels. Responsibility will be personal.

I thank everyone who fights for our state as if for themselves. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

“Georgia under the Georgian Dream went from being the only country in the South Caucasus with a Strategic Partnership with the US to the only country in the South Caucasus without a Strategic Partnership with the US.”

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 1:40 PM

This great formulation belongs to Giorgi Tumasyan

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 1:40 PM

Today in Russia’s puppet reality in Georgia is the joint trial of virtually the entire democratic leadership over the trumped-up “sabotage case.”

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 9:57 AM

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 11:26 AM

From Interpress News:

“In a 40-volume case, there are only two sentences where I am mentioned, and it says they don’t even know whether I was there or not. In my previous case, at least I knew what the prosecution considered a crime; there were verbs there. Here, there aren’t even verbs. What did I do? Tell me what I am being accused of… The only thing I understood from the actions is that Misha [Saakashvili] wrote about a shark,” Nika Gvaramia, a defendant in the so-called “sabotage case,” stated in court.

In response, former President Mikheil Saakashvili remarked, “Or the shark wrote about Misha.”

According to Gvaramia, the 40-volume case does not specify what he allegedly did. He said the same applies to other defendants.

“This isn’t my first case, and it isn’t the first case I know of. Misha had his marvels, and my cases were no less marvelous. But this case, I swear, it’s 40 volumes. I searched through them for where Nika Gvaramia, the subordinate, committed the crime with an accomplice, but I couldn’t find it. The indictment contains only dispositive verbs. What evidence are we supposed to consider? Honestly, in the 40 volumes, there are only two sentences where I am mentioned, and I asked my lawyer to read them.

“In the previous case, at least I knew what the prosecution considered a crime; there were verbs. Here, there are no verbs. What did I do? There are two sentences, and both say they don’t know whether I was there, but my name and surname are mentioned.

“Why are you questioning the 40 volumes, including the testimonies of Eka Gigauri and Nanuka Jorjoliani? Tell me what I am being accused of, where you think I was, and I will tell you if I was standing there, what I said, and what I did. You could have brought Lenin’s 40 volumes just as easily. How am I supposed to reason when nothing in this case is related? The only thing I understood from the actions is that Misha wrote about a shark,” said Gvaramia.

Saakashvili again replied: “Or the shark wrote about Misha.”

For context, in the so-called sabotage case, the Prosecutor General’s Office charged Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Zurab “GIRCH” Japaridze, Elene Khoshtaria, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze.

Specifically:

• Giorgi Vashadze and Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze are charged under Article 318, Part 1, and Article 319 of the Criminal Code, covering sabotage and assistance to foreign hostile activities, punishable by 7 to 15 years imprisonment.
• Elene Khoshtaria is charged under Articles 318(1), 319, and 321prima(1), covering sabotage, providing material resources for the crime, and assistance to foreign hostile activities.
• Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze are charged under Article 318(1), covering sabotage.
• Mikheil Saakashvili is charged under Article 317, covering calls to violently change Georgia’s constitutional order or overthrow state power.

Regarding preventive measures, Giorgi Vashadze and Zurab “Girchii” Japaridze have bail set at 30,000 GEL, while Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze have bail set at 1 million GEL.

The Vatican:

Pope Leo XIV sent three trucks carrying 80 electric generators to Ukraine.
Thank you Pope!

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:11 AM

Bulgaria:

Bulgarian activists report that they saw people in uniforms with PMC insignia and an RF flag on a building in the mountains. According to BOEC chairman Georgi Georgiev, a group of activists discovered a site they believe serves as a center of “terrorist activity.”
www.novinite.com/articles/236…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 9:04 AM

NATO:

OTD in 2007 Prez gave His famous Munich speech in which said “relations between NATO and Russia must be developed before Ukraine can NATO”.

So Ukraine can join. Not “we got a promise that they can’t”. An important detail to get wrong.

— Darth Putin (@darthputinkgb.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 11:01 AM

Notice how the story has shifted.
Up t 2007: It’s Ukraine’s decision to join
2007-2014: Ukraine join but we have to allow it
2014 -to now: We got a promise they would never join.

— Darth Putin (@darthputinkgb.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 11:01 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Great powers do not ask for security guarantees, they give them. The fact we are asking for them proves we are not one.

This might be evidence to treat us accordingly.

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— Darth Putin (@darthputinkgb.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 2:07 AM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said a potential settlement to the war in Ukraine must include security guarantees for Moscow, arguing that any peace agreement would be impossible without them.

“We recognize that a peaceful settlement in Ukraine must take into account Ukraine’s security interests, but the key importance, of course, is Russia’s security interests,” Grushko told Russian media on Feb. 10.

He said leaders of the European Union have failed to address Moscow’s concerns.

“If you look carefully at all the statements made by the leaders of the European Union, no one talks about guarantees for Russia’s security,” Grushko said.

“This is a key element of reaching an agreement. Without it, no peace treaty is possible,” he added.

Grushko said potential security guarantees for Russia would include some of the demands Moscow has made since launching its invasion of Ukraine, including a prohibition on Ukraine joining NATO.

He also rejected the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine, which Kyiv has proposed as a possible security guarantee.

His comments come as Ukraine, Russia, and the United States continue trilateral talks aimed at ending the nearly four-year war. The most recent round of negotiations was held in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 4-5, and discussions are expected to continue this week, most likely in the United States.

You know, Russia’s security need to invade and take over its neighbors.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has increasingly become a war of drones, but artillery still plays a key role on the battlefield. Newly obtained documents from 2014 to 2025 show that Russia continues to modernize its artillery production using industrial machinery from Europe. 🧵Thread:

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

2/ In a joint analysis, Frontelligence Insight and the “Dallas analytical” company reviewed hundreds of internal documents from Russian defense contractor Zenit-Investprom and found that Plant No. 9, a maker of artillery barrels and tank guns, went through major upgrades in 2025

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

3/ Six facilities within the Uralmash industrial zone were found to be undergoing modernization, including planned delivery of industrial machinery from several European countries. Several workshops were dedicated to work on the Armata project and the Koalitsiya SPG.

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

4/ According to floor plans and procurement documents, Russia planned to deliver at least 22 large industrial machines to the modernized facilities of Plant No. 9, including gear-shaping, milling, and other modern multifunctional equipment.

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

5/ For clarity, this is an example of one of the ordered machines, the LC-500 gear hobbing machine by the German company Liebherr. As seen in the photo from Liebherr’s official website, this is not small electronics, like a router, that could be easily bought and repurposed

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

6/ Liebherr is not the only German company on the list. HERMLE AG and DMG MORI also appear, alongside the Italian companies TACCHI and PARPAS, the British firm JONES & SHIPMAN, and the Taiwanese manufacturers KAFO and Glory.

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

7/ This is not a one-off upgrade, but part of a decade-long effort to expand production, with the current phase accelerated by the war. In letters sent in 2014 to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Plant No. 9’s CEO requested confirmation that such equipment had to be imported

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

8/ It appears that 11 years later, Russia has been unable to make a proper import-substitution, meaning that even in 2025 it planed its modernization around large industrial machinery made in Europe. Yet Russia remains confident in its ability to procure this equipment.

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

9/ Thank you for reading. Our full report, with far more detail, is available at the link below:

frontelligence.substack.com/p/behind-the…

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:56 AM

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych appeared for training on the Olympic track wearing his ‘helmet of memory,’ with photographs of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia’s war, despite a ban from the IOC.
❤️‍🩹

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 8:50 AM

IOC has reviewed request by UA Olympian Heraskevych to wear helmet with photos of UA athletes killed by Russia. IOC has permitted to wear it during training; citing rules that prioritize focusing on games, Committee will make an exception and allow him to wear a black armband during competition.

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— Olga Nesterova (@onestpress.onestnetwork.com) February 10, 2026 at 8:41 AM

Here is the letter sent by the IOC to Heraskevych

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— Olga Nesterova (@onestpress.onestnetwork.com) February 10, 2026 at 9:06 AM

Roland Fischnaller competed at the 2026 Olympics wearing a helmet with the Russian flag, despite a ban. Though it also showed flags of other countries he’d competed in, Russian and Belarusian flags are taboo. The IOC couldn’t explain the exception to Tribuna.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 4:41 AM

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also banned Ukrainian freestyle skier Kateryna Kotsar from wearing her favorite helmet during the 2026 Olympics:

“I have my signature helmet that I compete in — ‘Be brave like Ukrainians’. About a week before the Olympic Games,

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 4:25 PM

I received an email saying that the International Olympic Committee considers this helmet to be propaganda, and therefore I cannot compete in it at the Games.”

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 4:25 PM

It is important to remember that the International Olympic Committee is it’s own organized criminal organization. Doing the Olympics every four years is just cover/a front. It is also tied to a lot of other major organized criminal organizations and networks, like the bratva. Which is why it does politically tone deaf things like this.

Xataka reports that Ukraine has received a unique Lanza radar, which serves as the “eyes” for Patriot and NASAMS systems. It is noted that while the U.S. had long refused to provide this technology to Ukraine, Spain has now delivered it.
www.xataka.com/magnet/ucran…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM

From Xataka: (machine translated from the Spanish)

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has had to fight a parallel battle far from the front: that of convincing his allies of what weapons he needed, when and how far that aid could go without cross sensitive political lines. Between delays, partial vetoes and fears of escalation, air defense became one of the most critical bottlenecks for months, leaving kyiv exposed to campaigns of missiles and drones while the international response advanced slower than the war.

A radar that changes the calculation. Therefore, the arrival of the Spanish radar in Ukraine Ltr-25 lance it represents a qualitative leap in its air defense, by incorporating a long-range detection capacity capable of identifying threats more than 450 kilometers. From drones and cruise missiles to ballistic systems and stealth aircraft, radar will help in a conflict where Russia has made massive and combined airstrike one of its main instruments of attrition.

The system, developed by Indra, is not a prototype or a future promise, but a technology already validated by NATO on its eastern flank, designed to operate in environments saturated with interference and electronic warfare and to integrate frictionlessly with Western batteries that protect the Ukrainian sky.

The unexpected ally. Another reading that the movement has is clear. Ukraine has just received from Spain what it had been doing for months claiming the United States: a real one long range defense that allows us to see the Russian attacks coming well in advance to organize an effective response.

While Washington he has been reticent by giving up certain sensors and strategic capabilities, Madrid has taken a step that changes the Ukrainian defensive depth, offering not only interceptors, but also the necessary “eyes” to anticipate and coordinate defense against waves of missiles and drones that seek to saturate the system. In that sense, the LTR-25 is not just another radar, but a critical piece that extends reaction time and it reduces Ukraine’s structural vulnerability to Moscow.

Technology tested in the most demanding environment. The LTR-25 radar operates in L-band with phased array architecture and digital beamforming. In other words, it has characteristics that allow it track hundreds of targets simultaneously with great precision even under electronic attack, a key capability to detect low radar signature targets such as Shahed drones or cruise missiles.

Your mobility tactics and philosophy of “turn on, detect and move” reinforce their survival on a front where Russia tries to hunt down radars and command systems, and their integration with command networks and NATO control it makes it a force multiplier for systems such as Patriot, SAMP/T, IRIS-T or NASAMS already deployed in Ukraine.

More at the link.

HUR released fresh footage showing the destruction of Russian air defense systems.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 12:31 PM

Oskhil, Kharkiv Oblast:

A russian drone struck the car of the village head in Oskil, Kharkiv Oblast, as he was delivering bread to residents.

The car burned down completely. The man survived with minor injuries.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 7:43 AM

Zolochiv, Kharkiv Oblast:

As a result of a russian drone strike on a gas station in Zolochiv, Kharkiv region, fuel pumps caught fire.
Thankfully, firefighters arrived in time. They control the situation.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 7:27 AM

Zaporizhzhia:

Zaporizhzhia is under russian drone attack ‼️ there is a huge fire in the city.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 4:21 PM

Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

Russian Tornado-S 300mm MLRS was destroyed today in Zaporizhzhia region.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 11:01 AM

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Russia:

A Ukrainian heavy drone drops munitions on a group of Russian assault troops who have just dismounted from armored vehicles near the village of Novopavlivka in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Night footage from the 42nd Separate Mechanized Brigade.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 11:48 AM

Sumy Oblast:

In the Sumy region, Russian occupiers tried to crawl through a pipe again. But operators from the 71st Jaeger Brigade of the Air Assault Forces were waiting, thanks to intel.
The result: 21 Russians were eliminated; only one managed to crawl back into the pipe.
t.me/c/2546065755…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 9:39 AM

Russia:

🚨Russian oil production dropping further as export demand collapses📉🫟

They’ve tried desperately to avoid production cuts because closed wells will likely never reopen, but with few buyers and record oil volumes trapped unsold in shadow fleet tankers, they are out of options.

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 2:03 AM

🤥 Russian lies about economic health are becoming obvious to all.

🔹Rosstat claims Russians have seen a huge increase in living standards
🔹BUT, Russians are spending less on food and healthcare
🔹AND, grocery prices are now higher than many EU countries, but wages are..not

🤔

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 3:28 AM

Just an important reminder that Rosstat cooks its data. It’s official data, it’s better than nothing, they do describe their methodologies, but they’re still having Dr. Finagle go through it.

Russia started throttling Telegram today, and the whining from their war propaganda bloggers is so rich. 😂

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 10:31 AM

“The Telegram slowdown is a fight against NATO, and Russians may suffer inconveniences,” — State Duma deputy Gurulev. 🤡

Im sure NATO is devastated 😁

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 10:35 AM

Pavel Durov commented on the slowdown of the messenger in Russia.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 12:51 PM

Volgograd Oblast, Russia:

🔥🛢️Russian Volgograd oil refinery, with the annual capacity of 14,5mln tons of oil is under drone attack right now

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 5:33 PM

Yekaterinburg Russia:

The Dallas group obtained unique blueprints showing the scale of modernization at Plant No. 9 in Yekaterinburg, suggesting that sanctions are not preventing Russia from scaling up artillery production.
dallas-park.com/uk/za-lashtu…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 6:36 AM

The plant is a key manufacturer of artillery barrels for the Koalitsiya and Msta self-propelled howitzers, as well as guns for the T-90, T-14, T-62, and T-72. Despite sanctions, the plant plans to install 22 units of foreign-made equipment.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 6:36 AM

Vladivostok, Primorski Krai, Russia:

In Vladivostok, Russia, a thermal power plant caught fire. Ukraine didn’t even shell them – it was just a short circuit, and 50,000 Russians were left without electricity, and in some areas without heating and hot water.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 10, 2026 at 4:11 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

A new Patron video:

@patron__dsns

життя-буття… #песпатрон

♬ What Was I Made For – Andrea Vanzo

Here’s the machine translation of the caption:

life-being…#песпатрон

And a machine translation of the text in the video:

You can’t gnaw on slippers, you can’t eat 10 servings of cheese, you can’t bark at hedgehogs, you can’t do anything…

Open thread!

There Will Be Significant International Events This Week – on Defense and Security. In Europe, Our Position Will Be Sufficiently Represented, and the Same Applies to the United States – Address by the President

9 February 2026 – 20:47

I wish you health!

Briefly about today. Energy is the top priority – this is fully understood across the state. Significant resources are engaged in all regions, and we are further increasing them: expanding the number of crews and strengthening support programs for people and for entrepreneurs.

Today, we spoke with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko. The Government will make the procurement of new equipment more accessible for apartment buildings, so that homeowners associations can purchase more generators and other equipment that is so crucial amid electricity shortages. The government officials will also expand the support program for owners of private homes to ensure autonomous power supply. These are, in effect, two new programs, and in the near future government officials are to present all details of the programs to the public. As for the programs already in place, reports were also presented today. Applications from sole proprietors are coming in actively for payments that help maintain and repair generators – nearly 20,000 such applications have already been submitted. The zero-percent loan program for purchasing generators has already reached half a billion hryvnias and will continue to grow – sufficient funds are available within the program. Today, I also instructed that the Warmth Packages program be additionally scaled up – so that 40,000 packages are delivered this week. The program will continue operating. I thank Naftogaz for its support of this program.

I would also like to commend Ukrzaliznytsia – all of its specialists. The conditions are extraordinarily difficult. Russian strikes are hitting our logistics virtually every day – targeting facilities that support rail operations and the rolling stock itself. Many routes are dangerous, but our railway continues to operate.

I thank the first responders of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine for their real effectiveness. Every day, they work at energy facilities, extinguish fires, and help people and communities get through this difficult time. The results achieved by everyone currently involved in dealing with the aftermath of the strikes and in recovery efforts benefit all of Ukraine and contribute to the strength of our state and to Ukrainians’ ability to endure this winter and the war as a whole.

There was a discussion with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, with our diplomats, and with members of the negotiating team. Everyone in our country needs to be more active so that now, in February, there is not a single day wasted in strengthening Ukraine and advancing our ability to end the war in a dignified and reliable way. An important result has now been achieved on Starlink – I would like to thank the Minister of Defense; this is one of the significant changes. We also need to finalize all issues related to supplying the army, including predictable and sufficient supplies of drones and other equipment to the troops.

There will be significant international events this week – on defense and security. In Europe, our position will be sufficiently represented, and the same applies to the United States. In practice, our negotiating team is working every single day on the documents and proposals that could deliver results at the upcoming meetings. Most importantly, our partners must be aligned the same way we are in Ukraine: peace is needed, and reliable security guarantees are the only real foundation for peace and for preventing the Russians from breaking agreements through strikes or hybrid operation of some kind.

There are no countries left in Europe that do not know what Russian interference is and what Russian destabilization operations can look like. Everyone also sees what Russian murderers, Russian missiles, and Russian drones are doing. Protection from this and ensuring security must be tangible and lay the groundwork for a lasting peace. The documents on guarantees are ready. There is no alternative to security. There is no alternative to peace. There is no alternative to rebuilding our country. I thank everyone around the world who is helping! Thank you for every single action in support of life and people right now.

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

Some Georgian protesters actually took to Yerevan amid JD Vance’s Armenia visit to pass on Georgia’s democratic resistance message.

“Russia’s Georgia is a threat for TRIPP.”

“Stand with 🇬🇪 and adopt the MEGOBARI Act!”

📷 ProtestSHE

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 10:36 AM

JD Vance is visiting Armenia and Azerbaijan, but skipping Georgia, once a key US ally. After GD attacked the US ambassador, passed repressive laws, crushed protests, and pivoted toward Russia, ties collapsed. The US froze the partnership (Nov 30, 2024) and sanctioned Bidzina Ivanishvili (Dec 27).

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 1:36 PM

“Foreign funding” is also remittances, which only gets a verbal / interpretation-based exemption from the regime “as long as the funds are not used for political purposes.”

1/

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 8:15 AM

So, if your emigrant mother working hard taking care of the elderly in Italy sends you some grocery money and you post something anti-regime, you could both go to jail, yes.

Hopefully, other countries won’t extradite people over this. Sounds an insane precaution, but this is the case.

2/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 8:15 AM

www.hrw.org/news/2026/02…

3/3.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 8:15 AM

1/ Nika Melia, co-chair of the Ahali party, has been charged in a fourth criminal case within the past year.

#TerrorinGeorgia

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:11 AM

2/ The new charge accuses him of showing disrespect to a judge during an administrative court session on 10 November 2025, while he is already serving prison sentences.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:11 AM

3/ The alleged offence carries a penalty of up to two years in prison, a fine, or corrective work.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:11 AM

4/ Melia’s lawyer, Giorgi Kondakhishvili, told TV Pirveli that Melia does not take this case seriously, insisting that he did not insult the judge.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:11 AM

5/ Melia is currently serving two sentences: 1.5 years for an incident involving throwing water at a judge (26 November 2025), and 8 months for failing to appear before the GD’s parliamentary investigative commission in June. He also faces charges in a so-called sabotage case.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:11 AM

McCain Institute’s @laurathornton.bsky.social will speak this Wednesday, February 11, at 2 p.m. with The Helsinki Commission to examine the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia, Georgian Dream’s tactics to punish & demoralize dissenters, & paths forward: www.youtube.com/live/Xl3GZRt…

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— McCain Institute (@mccaininstitute.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 1:31 PM

It was September 2022 when my team at party Droa published an OSINT book on how the Georgian Dream helped Russia evade sanctions.

Back then, even for anti-GD people it seemed like an overstretched or at least something that will never yield to any serious international attention / results.

1/

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 3:29 PM

My party leader Helen Khoshtaria alongside several other democratic leaders face further prosecution over advocating for targeted sanctions against the regime (over Russia sanctions evasion and gross human rights violations).

2/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 3:29 PM

And now we learn that a Georgian port, Kulevi, is under a risk of EU sanctions due to Russian oil sanctions evasion.

Even if it doesn’t pass through this time, the suggestion alone is a whole new layer of process…

3/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 3:29 PM

I want the best for my country, and it’s precisely for that reason why the cancer must be diagnosed and cut out before it flushes down all of us and our millennia-long history down the Russian public toilet.

4/4.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 3:29 PM

Even Georgian Dream supporters are increasingly unhappy and concerned about where we are headed.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 6:41 AM

The EU:

‼️🇪🇺 EU plans to impose sanctions against third-country ports serving Russia’s “shadow fleet” for the first time — Sky News

The 20th package of EU sanctions includes the ports of Kulevi in ​​Georgia and Karimun in Indonesia. There are also proposals to add banks from Laos, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

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— Savchenko Volodymyr (@savchenkoua.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 2:20 PM

India:

🛑New Indian purchases of Russian oil have stopped.

With the new US-India trade deal, major Indian refiners are now finding other sources.

India previously bought 70-80% of ALL Urals oil shipped. Expect production to start dropping rapidly for lack of Urals oil buyers.📉💥

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 3:26 AM

Hungary:

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s remarks about the possible deployment of Alliance troops in Ukraine. According to Orbán, such statements are “madness” and, in his view, bring Europe closer to war.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:41 AM

France:

French authorities have just taken down hundreds of Russian disinformation websites aimed at sowing division and installing far-right candidates in the coming elections.

Most of these sites were imitations of popular and trusted news outlets, populated with Ai content.

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— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 4:45 AM

The US:

Trump, in the middle of his latest unhinged Truth Social screed, claims that if Canada makes a trade deal with China, “the first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup.”

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) February 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM

They’re eating the French Canadian goalies! They’re eating the Swedish forwards!

This diagram is in Polish, but fairly easy to understand.

The upper section is U.S. assistance for Ukraine during the Biden and Trump admin

The lower is russian drone and missile attacks during the same time frame

Tell me more about how Trump’s negotiations are working.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:06 AM

From RBC Ukraine:

Due to a critical shortage of Pac-3 interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, Ukrainian launchers were left empty last month, unable to counter ballistic strikes on energy infrastructure, according to a Financial Times report and an interview with Yurii Ihnat, Head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command.

Colonel Yurii Ihnat said Ukraine’s air defense faces serious challenges when ammunition runs out faster than supplies from partners arrive.

“Some air defense systems sometimes stand empty while attacks still need to be repelled,” he noted, highlighting the difficulty for the country’s air defenders.

According to the FT report, the shortage reached a point last month where Patriot systems could not respond while Russian ballistic missiles struck Ukrainian power plants unimpeded.

Since the start of 2026, Russian forces have already carried out 217 attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector.

The Kremlin’s main goal remains to freeze the country and pressure its leadership into capitulation.

Despite frequent outages and a strained energy system, surveys from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology indicate that these attacks have not shaken Ukrainian resolve or created a widespread demand for concessions to Russia.

Ukraine has repeatedly urged Western allies to speed up the delivery of air defense systems and missiles.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized that delays in weapons deliveries directly impact the protection of critical infrastructure under constant ballistic threat.

He noted that while Ukraine’s Defense Forces have significantly strengthened protection against Russian drones, the current level of defense remains insufficient, especially at key and most vulnerable locations.

More at the link.

Back to Ukraine.

Yaroslava Mahuchikh claimed victory at the World Athletics Gold Indoor Tour stage in Karlsruhe, clearing 2.01 meters!

Our Queen can fly! 🪽

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:57 AM

The reason:

This is what Ukraine is fighting for.

📹 darinka_la/TikTok

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— Anton Gerashchenko (@antongerashchenko.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 3:22 PM

Strikes by FP-2 guided drones with 100kg warheads on Russian targets, as well as rare footage of the FP-2 launch at the opening seconds.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 3:09 PM

Russian media report that Ukraine’s Defense Forces have eliminated Aik Gasparyan, the commander of the “ArBat” special forces battalion. During his lifetime, Gasparyan received the “For Courage” medal from Putin.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:47 AM

Fighters of the 412th SBS Brigade “NEMESIS” destroyed nine enemy multiple launch rocket systems, including the rare North Korean M1991 and two TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” systems. Video footage of the operations from January.
t.me/usf_army

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 10:52 AM

Looks like LTG Budanov’s merry band of mischief makers was able to infiltrate the GRU’s notorious wetwork unit.

1/3
Ukrainian intelligence penetration of Russia’s military apparatus is deeper than many assumed. HUR obtained medical records of GRU Unit 29155 commander Andrey Averyanov. Including a prostate exam. That’s not symbolism. That’s access

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— Lewi Whalberg (@anno1540.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 2:03 AM

2/3
The GRU is Russia’s military intelligence service: sabotage, assassinations, covert war abroad. Unit 29155 is tied to poisonings, coups, and deniable violence across Europe. It’s meant to be sealed, paranoid, untouchable.

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— Lewi Whalberg (@anno1540.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 2:03 AM

3/3
HUR is Ukraine’s military intelligence directorate. Since 2022, it has shown precision HUMINT, cyber reach, and deep Russian penetration. This episode illustrates asymmetric advantage: Ukraine sees inside systems Russia believed opaque.
Link: archive.ph/ThA7X

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— Lewi Whalberg (@anno1540.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 2:03 AM

Sumy:

This is how russia attacked Sumy today: a Gerbera drone releasing an FPV drone mid-air over the city.

This expands the scale of attacks and multiplies the danger — layered drones, harder to detect, harder to escape. A deliberate escalation against civilians.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 3:51 AM

In Konotop, Sumy region, Russian drone attacked a locomotive that was supposed to be coupled to a passenger train.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:51 AM

Kharkiv:

Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv Oblast:

In Kharkiv Oblast, a russian drone strike killed a woman and her 10-year-old son.

Russia attacked the residential area of Bohodukhiv with drones. One of them hit a family home, destroying it completely.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 12:30 AM

Video of a russian drone striking a house last night in Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv region. 😨

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 3:45 PM

Kharkiv:

Kharkiv has moved *some* schools underground. It is good that we now have 8 of them, but it is very important to understand that for a city as large as Kharkiv, 8 schools are just a drop in the ocean. Most children here have been studying online for 4 years.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:26 AM

Our children are also under constant threat, living under russian drones and missiles attack. Russia kills them. This is a memorial in Kharkiv dedicated to the “little angels who will never grow up.” Those are their names on the cubes.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:26 AM

Kyiv:

Swans and ducks have settled on the unfrozen part of the Dnipro River in Kyiv 🦢🦆

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 9:01 AM

Odesa:

Autonomous anti-aircraft turret installed on a pickup intercepts Russian air target near Odesa.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 4:15 AM

This is the kind of night Odesa went through today. The city was attacked by approximately 15 Shahed drones simultaneously.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 11:15 AM

Russia occupied Crimea:

The story of one of the riskiest and most classified HUR special operations in occupied Crimea in 2016: a deep raid behind enemy lines, where the Russians considered themselves untouchable. Planned and led by Kyrylo Budanov.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHnJ…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM

Russia:

😎

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 3:24 PM

Bloomberg reports that Russia’s oil production fell for the second month in a row in January due to difficulties selling oil under U.S. sanctions. Sources say Russia produced an average of 9.28 million barrels per day.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article…

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 2:19 PM

This figure is 46,000 barrels per day lower than the already reduced level in December and nearly 300,000 barrels per day below what Russia is allowed to produce under the OPEC+ agreement.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 2:19 PM

Rostov and Kursk Oblasts, Russia:

The General Staff reported that Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck a UAV storage facility in Russia’s Rostov region, where approximately 6,000 FPV drones were destroyed.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 9:39 AM

In addition, a command post of Russia’s airborne troops was hit in the Kursk region, and an ammunition depot belonging to Russian forces was struck in the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 9, 2026 at 9:39 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

In Kropyvnytskyi, animal welfare volunteers are setting up “Points of Invincibility” for homeless animals so they can survive the freezing temperatures.

📹 Radio Liberty

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— Anton Gerashchenko (@antongerashchenko.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 1:39 PM

Open thread!

The Coming Weeks Will Be Active in Our Work with Partners: As Always, Results Are Needed – Address by the President

8 February 2026 – 20:17

Fellow Ukrainians!

Today was almost entirely devoted to recovery efforts in our regions: the necessary forces of communities, municipal services, and energy companies are engaged everywhere. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine, in addition to the real assistance already being provided across all regions, is also forming reserve forces. These are consolidated energy groups that will be able to quickly bolster the capabilities already in place. Ukrzaliznytsia crews are also working – more than forty of them, and the number will be increased to sixty. They are being deployed specifically to work in the capital.

Right now, the situation in Kyiv remains the most challenging in terms of most indicators. This applies to both electricity and heating. Naftogaz will also increase the number of crews assisting Kyiv. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine is ensuring the operation of a sufficient number of warming centers at present: more than 200 such centers in Kyiv, with nearly 9,000 people having sought assistance over the past 24 hours. The “Warmth Packages” program is also underway. As of now, as of this week, almost 40,000 packages have been distributed in the areas where the need is greatest.

I would also like to thank everyone working on infrastructure and recovery in the Kyiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions, in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, in the Dnipro region, and other regions of central Ukraine. There is particularly intensive work underway right now in the Poltava region, as well as in the Donetsk region. I thank everyone who is working truly effectively on recovery in the Vinnytsia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, and Volyn regions, in Kropyvnytskyi and the region, as well as Odesa and the region. I am particularly grateful to our energy workers, our municipal service workers, and every single person working in Kherson and Mykolaiv for the sake of our shared resilience in Ukraine.

It is important that essential logistics are being maintained everywhere. This week as well, the Russian army has been striking the railway almost every day. Today, there was a targeted strike in the Chernihiv region against a train that was scheduled to carry passengers that very day. In the days prior, there were strikes on railway infrastructure in the Kharkiv and Dnipro regions. I want to thank everyone who is protecting Ukraine’s railway and ensuring the continuous, uninterrupted operation of our Ukrzaliznytsia.

Today, it is worth especially recognizing the work of all the first responders who, at any time, in any weather, and under any circumstances – including under shelling – work together with energy workers and with everyone else so that people can live. This week, the employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine who are involved in work at energy facilities have distinguished themselves the most: Vasyl Vashchenko, Serhii Hubenko, Ruslan Dubyk, Maksym Yepifanov, Serhii Kovalchuk, Anatolii Kolomiiets, Oleksandr Kozhara, Oleksandr Mykoda, Ruslan Plakhtiienko, Volodymyr Strilchuk, Ivan Tymchenko, Dmytro Tkachenko, Ivan Khmelnytskyi, Yevhen Shepetun, Mykhailo Chornokalov. Thank you, guys – and thank you to all your colleagues, to each and every person whose work is helping Ukraine withstand these days, this winter!

And, of course, each of our partners must recognize their strength, their ability to support Ukraine and protect lives. Missiles for air defense are needed every single day. Protection against Russian ballistic attacks is needed every single day. Today, ballistic missiles again struck the Kyiv region. No country in the world should be left alone and without assistance under such strikes and in such a war. I want to thank everyone who stands with Ukraine. The coming weeks will be active in our work with partners. As always, results are needed. Results must be delivered.

Glory to Ukraine!

On Friday President Zelenskyy met with the students and faculty of Kyiv Aviation Institute.

The President Granted National Status to the State University “Kyiv Aviation Institute” and Met with Its Students and Faculty

6 February 2026 – 22:29

On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of aircraft designer Oleg Antonov’s birth, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy granted the State University “Kyiv Aviation Institute” national status and met with its students and faculty.

The Head of State emphasized that the aviation sector, and education in this field in particular, is extremely important for Ukraine.

“This is a priority that was likely overlooked for quite some time. Nevertheless, I want to assure you that the state is focusing on this area. It is crucial for us that the university ranks at the top – and I mean at the global level,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

During the meeting, discussions also covered the development of combat aviation, the future delivery of Gripen and Rafale aircraft, and the advancement of aviation technologies, particularly unmanned systems. The President spoke about the achievements made over the past years and the transition to mass production of various types of drones. According to the Head of State, 450 companies are already involved in this sector.

The meeting also addressed the return of Ukrainians who were forced to leave the country due to Russian aggression. The President noted that this requires continued strengthening of national defense, creating favorable conditions for business, attracting foreign investment, and reviving strong Ukrainian aviation traditions with a focus on quality education.

“We are currently more focused on military aviation – that’s right. Civil aviation is very important as well. That’s true. We will continue to develop military aviation. We are reaching out to the university and are ready to support this direction. I believe it will emerge at a strong level at your university. We are in discussions with the Air Force command. I think you will notice it,” the Head of State added.

In total, over 400 students from various departments attended the meeting. The young people presented Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a hoodie featuring the Kyiv Aviation Institute logo and a model “Zhevzhyk” glider, which is assembled by students in the aviation modelling laboratory at the start of their studies.

Kseniia Semenova, President of the Kyiv Aviation Institute, briefed the Head of State on the development of the university and its future plans, and showcased exhibits of aviation equipment.

Here’s the video of his Q&A with the students:

Georgia:

Day 437 of protests in Georgia. Repression deepens by the day: opposition voices silenced or jailed, political dissidents behind bars, journalists targeted, democratic checks dismantled piece by piece.

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— European Democrats (@europeandemocrats.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 7:49 AM

“Thank you to the regime’s prisoners for historical fight”, family members and supporters of imprisoned protesters held a performance at the Chronicles of Georgia monument on Sunday.

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— Mariam Nikuradze (@mariamnikuradze.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 9:40 AM

🇬🇪Sanctions work by raising the cost of enabling dictatorship.
For years, backing Georgian Dream had been “good for business” because the cost was close to zero.

That calculation has now changed.
1/3

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— Terje Helland (@terjehelland.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 3:22 PM

Facing real UK and EU sanctions risk, Irakli Rukhadze is offloading Imedi TV, GDs main propaganda channel, to a small local proxy, Ilia Mikelaishvili, for USD 370.
2/3

— Terje Helland (@terjehelland.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 3:22 PM

This is not a business transaction. It is an attempt to protect himself and shield his wealth from sanctions exposure.

Rukhadze is shitting himself and running for cover.
3/3

— Terje Helland (@terjehelland.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 3:22 PM

Italy:

Italy reported a sabotage attack on its railway network on the first day of the Olympics.

Unknown individuals set fire to an electrical distribution box near the city of Pesaro.

A few hours later in Bologna, cut cables used to measure train speeds were discovered, along with an explosive device.

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 10:35 AM

Bologna’s main railway station was temporarily closed.

— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 10:35 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Air alerts sound across swathes of central and eastern Ukraine after detection of launches of ballistic missiles from Bryansk Oblast in fascist Russia. Four missiles fired, sound of explosions in Kyiv, monitors now say skies are clear.

All in the space of three minutes.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 10:34 AM

By trying to freeze Ukrainians into submission, russia is committing a massive crime against humanity.

Folks, 4,5h of electricity per day is a real luxury here. Million times kudos to energy workers.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 10:11 AM

DTEK (Ukrainian energy company) showed what thermal power plants looked like in peacetime and how they look during the full-scale invasion.

The company noted that russian forces have attacked thermal power plants 220 times since the start of the war.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 3:55 PM

This is damaged energy equipment in Ukraine, frozen after russian attacks.

What’s left behind isn’t just metal and ice, but the consequences for millions of people who depend on this to survive winter.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 5:30 AM

Russian Grad multiple rocket launcher goes up in epic boom 💥 😎

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 9:11 AM

Evacuation with drones videos are always incredible to see!

The unmanned ground vehicle pulled two fighters out of cover and transported them to safety. One soldier, unable to move on his own due to injury, was dragged into the vehicle by his teammate.

The brigade commented on the video:

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 8:09 AM

“Sometimes the evacuation request comes instantly — without warning and without pause. That’s how it was this time: rapid preparation, the unmanned ground vehicle launch, work under risk. The result — two wounded soldiers successfully evacuated.”

📹: 92nd Assault Brigade

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 8:09 AM

Ukrainian F-16 takes down russian shahed drone.

Respect is due to the pilot for taking on targets at such close range is a mortal gamble!

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 2:31 PM

Key points from President Zelensky:

Ukraine has deals for 150 Gripen and 100 Rafale jets — the best fighters in the world in his view.

At the start of the full-scale war Ukraine had just 25 S-300 systems. In the 1990s Kyiv alone had 250.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 11:01 AM

Ukraine now operates Hawk, IRIS-T, NASAMS and Patriot systems while building its own air defense from scratch.

Both military targets and Russian energy infrastructure are legitimate targets. Russia sells oil to fund the war.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 11:01 AM

Ukraine has 450 drone companies with 40-50 leading the industry. 2026 will be a year of major investment in Ukrainian tech.

Ukraine’s defense industry is now the largest in Europe though still smaller than Russia’s.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 11:01 AM

Russia could lose control of its ground drones if unauthorized Starlinks are blocked since it has no backup systems Third Corps commander Biletsky said.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 8:01 AM

Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

Russia unleashed another day of terror on Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
One woman was killed. Eight civilians injured, including a 7-year-old boy.

Guided bombs on villages. Shahed drones on homes. Artillery without pause.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Prydorozhne, Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

Ukraine’s 33rd Assault Brigade says it cleared Prydorozhne village alongside nearby Ternuvate. Both sit on the western bank of the Haichur River the current line of contact. Holding this line is critical – the next natural barrier is the Verkhnia Tersa River then Zaporizhzhia.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 2:12 PM

Kherson:

Russia carried out a massive MLRS attack on Kherson.
Six civilians were injured.

Rescuers pulled two women alive from the rubble — one from a destroyed house, another from a damaged apartment.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 3:44 AM

11 people are known to have been wounded in Kherson as a result of russia’s massive overnight rocket artillery bombardment. 2 more women were injured during morning attack on the city, the Regional Military Administration reported.

Residential buildings, shops, cafés, and a church were damaged.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 9:38 AM

Beryslav, Kherson Oblast:

WARNING!! WARNING!! GRAPHIC IMAGERY!! WARNING!! WARNING!!

Volunteers evacuating civilians in Beryslav, Kherson region were hit by a drone and artillery on February 4. Trapped for two and a half days, they were rescued on February 6. Three evacuees were wounded. A 43-year-old man was killed.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 11:16 AM

ALL CLEAR!!!!

Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast:

At dawn, russia carried out an airstrike on a residential neighborhood in Kramatorsk.

One civilian was killed. Two more were injured.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 3:31 AM

Kurahove, Donetsk Oblast:

This is what Kurakhove looks like now – a town in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region.

Russia destroys everything everywhere it goes.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 9:54 AM

Prykolotne, Kharkiv Oblast:

“Explosions, explosions, explosions—it’s impossible to live. You can’t sleep, you can’t eat, you can’t cook. I’m old. Where would I run, when my legs hurt so much I can’t? I was just walking, then suddenly fell, and that was it. They decided to send me to the hospital for my legs and evacuate me.”

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 12:43 PM

81-year-old Nadiya Karyakina from Prykolotne, in the Vilkhuvat community, was evacuated by volunteers and the “White Angels.” She is mobility-impaired and needed medical specialists—none of whom remain in her village.- Suspilne writes

Elderly people are among the most affected by war.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 12:43 PM

Bound to the land and homes they have spent their entire lives building, they know it is beyond their power to start anew elsewhere. That is why they are often reluctant to evacuate—even when the situation becomes catastrophic.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 12:43 PM

Instead of calm retirement they deserve, they get Russian bombs, death, and distraction.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 12:43 PM

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast:

In Dnipropetrovsk region, three people were injured as a result of russian attacks.

As always, russia strikes households.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 1:50 PM

Odesa:

Russians launched a massive drone strike on Odesa. Reports indicate there are dead and injured‼️

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Odesa right now after massive Russian drone attack on the city‼️

Fucking monsters! I just don’t have any appropriate words to say. Bastards.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 7:04 PM

Odesa right now after the russian drone attack‼️

I’m old enough to remember the times when the world called this terrorism.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 7:07 PM

Russian occupied Donetsk Oblast:

Ukrainian forces struck a logistics depot in Rozivka, a troop concentration near Krasnohorske and a UAV control point in Donetsk region overnight the General Staff reported.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 3:59 AM

Damage to a ballistic missile servicing facility, an assembly building and a logistics depot at Russia’s Kapustin Yar test range from earlier strikes was also confirmed.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 3:59 AM

Russia:

Ukraine denied any role in the attack on GRU deputy chief Alekseyev. Ukrainian FM Sybiha suggested it may be an internal Russian affair. Russia’s FSB claims the suspected shooter was detained in the UAE and acted on Kyiv’s orders.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 6:36 AM

Putin reportedly called UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed last night thanking him for “helping” detain the suspect in the Alekseyev attack Kremlin spokesman Peskov claims.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 6:43 AM

Half of Russia’s entire budget goes towards military spending: German Intelligence

The Kremlin spends much more on the military than they say, which is why deficits are soaring and the economy is collapsing as the war continues.

It’s also why Russia is returning to the 1990s.📉

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 3:25 AM

Several southern Russian regions were hit by a massive missile and drone attack overnight with power outages reported across the area.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 3:28 AM

Belgorod Oblast, Russia:

In russian Belgorod, 455 apartment buildings will be left without heat, after numerous strikes the heating system has been drained and cannot be refilled until the thermal power plant is operational again, local Governor Gladkov announced.

Maybe dont start wars next time?

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 9:22 AM

Belgorod is draining pipes to prevent freezing after repeated strikes on energy sites with 80% of residents reportedly without heat. Russian media say evacuations have begun.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 12:07 PM

Krasnodar Krai, Russia:

Explosions reported at the port of Novorossiysk.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 7:52 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

This is Fedya, the commander you may remember from “2000 Meters to Andriivka” (watch it if you haven’t!). Like many Ukrainian defenders protecting freedom & democracy, he also cares for pets on the front line—this is his dog “pkm”. The Hachiko team delivered food for his brigade!

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— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 10:55 AM

Open thread!

Another Massive Russian Attack – Typical of Their Style – Came in Fact Against Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts at Various Levels – Address by the President

7 February 2026 – 17:06

I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today, recovery efforts continue in many of our regions following the Russian strike. Another massive Russian attack – typical of their style – came in fact against ongoing diplomatic efforts at various levels. Over 400 Russian drones were launched, many of them “shaheds,” and nearly 40 missiles of various types. Our Ukrainian warriors managed to shoot down a significant number of them, but not all.

It is also crucial that Ukrainian diplomats, Ukrainian government officials, and Ukrainian military personnel continue working actively with our partners on what is truly effective – missiles for the Patriots, missiles for the IRIS-Ts, and all other systems we have. All of this is needed practically every day to protect lives.

Last night, the Russians struck, among other targets, facilities critical to the operation of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. And this is dangerous for Ukraine, for our entire region, and for Europe. Today, units at Ukraine’s NPPs reduced power generation, and one unit was automatically shut down. This is a level of attack that no terrorist in the world has ever dared, and Russia must feel the response of the entire world – of all those who truly care about security. And Russia must show that not only such strikes and the war matter to it, but also the ongoing negotiations that are supposed to deliver results.

I want to thank the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, all our rescuers in the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, utility services that are working, and all energy companies – both state-owned and private enterprises. Everyone must now work in maximum coordination, and I want to thank today all those working like this – professionally and with true dedication.

Across our entire country, repair and emergency crews are deployed. Forces are engaged practically from Volyn region to the border communities of Chernihiv and Kharkiv regions. There is still much work to be done in Kyiv, Kyiv region, central Ukraine, Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, and some other regions.

I also instructed the Government and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to provide all necessary assistance to Odesa and Mykolaiv regions due to difficult weather conditions – severe temperature swings, challenging road conditions in the southern regions, and general strain on municipal services. Help must be delivered.

Today, I also met with the Minister of Defense of France: Madam Minister is visiting Ukraine. I briefed her on the consequences of today’s strike. We discussed what is urgently needed for Ukraine’s resilience and for our defense: primarily air defense, military aviation, and joint efforts for our defense, for strengthening Europe. I thank France for all the support provided. I will also be grateful for the implementation of what we discussed today.

One more thing. We had a detailed discussion with our negotiating team after talks with the Americans and in the trilateral format with the Russians. I believe that every meeting is important; every meeting adds clarity on when and how the war can truly end. For Ukraine, and for the overall reliability of any agreements, it is essential that there are security guarantees and that Russia does not return to Ukraine with a third invasion. Security guarantees are what can truly provide greater trust in the diplomatic process and the results we need.

We are currently working on the draft documents the team returned with, as well as on the timeline for further activities – future meetings and steps. I want to thank the team for their work, and in the coming days, we will continue preparing for the next formats with the team. I will also keep our European partners informed on what is on the table and the prospects ahead.

Ukraine is interested in Europe being part of these processes, and what we have achieved in engaging Europe and factoring in Europe’s interests is already quite serious. We continue to count on the same substantial support from Europe and from the United States, and I thank everyone in the United States who truly wants peace – and also on behalf of our other partners around the world. We all need to work together for real peace.

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

“Glory to united, independent, European Georgia without the Georgian Dream!”

Day 437 of #GeorgiaProtests

We need:

1. Further isolation of the regime, a Russian proxy and sanctions evasion enabler, pro-Iran, pro-CCP;
2. Further targeted sanctions;

📷 MOSE

1/2

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 1:39 PM

3. Aid to CSOs and independent media;
4. International investigation into chemicals use against protesters;

2/2.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 1:39 PM

A large turnout on day 437 of daily, uninterrupted protests in Georgia. 🇬🇪

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 11:29 AM

February 7 — Traditional Saturday march on the 437th day of continuous protest.

📷 Levan Zazadze

#GeorgiaProtests

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 2:44 PM

Poland:

The Trump administration continues to hack away at the soft power branch that US hegemony sits on. Alienating America’s most loyal European ally is as self-destructive as it gets.

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— Maria Popova (@popovaprof.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 5:58 PM

From The Associated Press:

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to Poland announced on Thursday that the United States will have “no further dealings, contacts, or communications” with Włodzimierz Czarzasty, the speaker of the lower house of the Polish parliament, over what Rose called “outrageous and unprovoked insults directed against President Trump.”

Amb. Tom Rose did not specify what those alleged insults were, but Czarzasty had issued a public statement on Monday in which he said he would not support an initiative of his Israeli and American counterparts to nominate U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Czarzasty is one of the leaders of a left-wing party in the liberal government led by Donald Tusk.

Ever since Trump came to power, Poland has had to walk a fine line between defending its European allies while not upsetting its most powerful ally, the United States, on which peace in neighboring Ukraine depends. Warsaw has so far managed to do this by having Tusk handle European Union matters and letting President Karol Nawrocki, who came to power supported by the national-conservative opposition party Law and Justice, connect with Trump.

More at the link.

Roman Giertych – Polish politician. Currently a member of the Polish Parliament and a lawyer.

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— ulvhednar.bsky.social (@ulvhednar.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 6:23 PM

Well-put by Giertych and striking how this idiotic behaviour by the Ambassador is bringing the Polish political class together. Giertych and the speaker are on opposite ends of the Polish political spectrum; there’s no love lost between them

— Maria Popova (@popovaprof.bsky.social) February 6, 2026 at 9:42 PM

Serious people abroad taking PET (Putin-Epstein-Trump) seriously.
www.reuters.com/world/poland…

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— Timothy Snyder (@timothysnyder.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 7:07 PM

From Reuters:

WARSAW, Feb 3 (Reuters) – Poland will launch an investigation into possible links between the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Russian intelligence, as well as any impact on Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday.

The U.S. Justice Department’s recent release of millions of internal documents related to Epstein has revealed the late financier and sex offender’s ties to many prominent people in politics, finance, academia and business – both before and after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to prostitution charges.

Tusk told a government meeting that authorities would establish a team to investigate any potential fallout in Poland from Epstein’s crimes, in particular in relation to what he said was possible involvement by Russian secret services.

Russia’s foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a written request for comment on Tusk’s allegations. The Russian Embassy in Warsaw also did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

“More and more leads, more and more information, and more and more commentary in the global press all relate to the suspicion that this unprecedented paedophilia scandal was co-organised by Russian intelligence services,” Tusk said.

“I don’t need to tell you how serious the increasingly likely possibility that Russian intelligence services co-organised this operation is for the security of the Polish state. This can only mean that they also possess compromising materials against many leaders still active today.”

More at the link.

I’ve seen some posting that the Russians accidentally hit a Polish ammo depo in last night’s attack on Ukraine, but until I see reporting with legitimate sourcing consider this somewhere between RUMINT and not yet confirmed.

Hungary:

“We must choose a government that will say ‘no’ to everyone – Moscow, Brussels, Washington – when necessary,” – Orban.

So that means choosing not your government.

Because I’m struggling to count how many times you’ve said ‘no’ to Putin.
Somewhere between zero and… still zero.

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 11:13 AM

Moldova:

⚡ A Russian Gerbera drone crashed in northern Moldova.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova condemned the incident near Sofia village in Drochia district as a possible airspace violation and public safety threat.

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) February 7, 2026 at 9:27 AM

Back to Ukraine.

LELÉKA will represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with the song “Ridnym”

When we oppose our fears
And turn all our woes to cheers
I know the roots still carry water
When all the seeds we’ve sown
Blossom and lead us home
We’ll see the trees grow even taller

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 4:10 PM

Ukrainian rescuers are true titans, working tirelessly around the clock-even in extreme cold-to save lives from the relentless consequences of russia’s never‑ending attacks.

The video shows their “ice armor” formed after extinguishing a fire in extreme cold.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 3:27 PM

Witness the extraordinary story of Mykola Lyubarets, a pilot who defied Russian encirclement to fly a near-suicide mission into Mariupol.

🔗 youtu.be/uNllB9xoVns

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) February 6, 2026 at 2:09 PM

⚡ On February 6, the 2026 Winter Olympics officially kicked off in Italy. The grand opening took place in Milan.

Ukraine will compete in 11 out of 16 sports at the 2026 Olympics, with a total of 46 athletes representing the country.

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) February 7, 2026 at 3:56 AM

⚡ Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warns Russia’s strikes risk a nuclear incident in Europe.

He says repeated drone and missile attacks on Ukraine’s nuclear infrastructure are steadily escalating the danger.

🔗 united24media.com/latest-news/…

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) February 7, 2026 at 11:19 AM

From United24 Media:

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has warned that Russia’s continued strikes on Ukraine’s nuclear energy infrastructure pose a growing risk of a nuclear incident in Europe.

In a post on social media, Sybiha said the danger is increasing due to repeated drone and missile attacks targeting critical facilities.

According to Sybiha, recent Russian strikes on Ukraine’s power grid have forced all three operational nuclear plants to reduce output, triggering automatic shutdown protocols and unit disconnections.

“Each such situation is a direct threat,” he wrote on X, adding that no nuclear incidents have occurred so far only “thanks to the professionalism of Ukrainian nuclear energy professionals.”

In addition to direct attacks on power infrastructure, Sybiha referenced new concerns raised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has documented multiple drone flyovers near the Rivne and Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plants. The agency classified these incidents as significant security threats.

Sybiha also cited earlier Russian actions at other nuclear sites. These include the use of drones to strike the New Safe Confinement structure at the Chornobyl site and the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which Russia converted into a military installation during the full-scale invasion.

He warned that such escalations are likely to continue unless the international community imposes stronger deterrents. “Solutions are ready,” he stated, listing proposed sanctions on Russia’s state nuclear company Rosatom, amendments to the IAEA Statute initiated by Ukraine, and enhanced air defense systems to shield energy infrastructure from aerial attacks.

Sybiha emphasized the cross-border risk of nuclear disruption, noting that the Rivne plant is located just 135 kilometers from the borders of the European Union and NATO. “Every air defense system and interceptor provided to Ukraine now is a contribution to the nuclear safety of the entire European continent,” he said.

More at the link.

A heavy night bomber drone of the Lazar unit pursues a fully loaded Russian BM-21 and takes it to the afterlife along with itself.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 8:20 AM

In January, special unit “Prymary” hit 6 enemy air-defense assets along the frontline:
• Pantsir-S1 air defense system
• Tor-M1 air defense system
• Tor-M2 air defense system with its transport-loader vehicle
• RLM-ME radar (part of the Nebo-M radar complex)
• “Protivnik-GE” surveillance radar

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 4:04 AM

Ukrainian forces hit a Uragan MLRS, a drone command post, and an FPV drone production center overnight the General Staff said. Strikes also targeted troop concentrations near Chasiv Yar and logistics sites in occupied areas.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 6:05 AM

Kyiv:

KYIV – Only 1.5 hours of power in last 20. Ecoflow that powers fridge dead. Using the large rechargeable flashlights, the main lights in rooms, sparingly. Another Ecoflow is fully drained after recharging Internet battery. Only powerbanks left for devices. Will last a day or 2.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 1:33 PM

Power back at 2130! Frantic scramble to plug in everything to recharge. If we get at least an hour we can fully recharge the Ecoflows. Glory to Ukraine’s power workers, and fuck fascist Russia!

— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 3:06 PM

Russia:

Russian economic collapse: China getting record oil discounts as India sales fall off a cliff.

India dropped Russian oil to gain US tariff relief, and now China has Russia over a barrel.

And as oil profits disappear, their collapse will keep accelerating.

GDP goes splat.📉🫟

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 2:03 AM

🚨Big Russian companies are being left to collapse due to federal budget exhaustion preventing bailouts.

Companies representing OVER 30% of the economy’s revenue are in trouble, and many are expected to ask for funds.

…except there’s no money left.

Get popcorn, NOW. 🍿🍿🍿

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 3:28 AM

Russians seem a bit upsetty about their Starlink terminals no longer working 😏

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 12:55 PM

Tver Oblast, Russia:

Friendly drones attacked the Redkinsky Experimental Chemical Plant near Tver on Russian swamps🥀

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 10:51 AM

The facility produces specialised chemical components for the aviation & defence industries; listed as a defence enterprise and is part of the supply chain of Russia’s military-industrial complex.

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 10:51 AM

Ukraine’s SBU hit a plant in Redkino in Russia’s Tver region that makes fuel components for Kh-55 and Kh-101 missiles NV sources say. A large fire was confirmed by NASA FIRMS data. The facility is sanctioned by the US and UK.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 6:02 AM

🔥

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 10:51 AM

Belgorod Oblast, Russia:

Belgorod, russia. Blackout.

Probably decided to turn off the lights out of shame for constantly attacking Kharkiv.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 2:09 PM

Multiple explosions were heard in Russia’s Belgorod this morning. A strike on the Luch thermal power plant reportedly knocked out power across the city and nearby villages.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 3:00 AM

Belgorod came under its third missile attack of the day with explosions and blackouts reported again this evening. Russian media also claim a HIMARS strike hit the Bryansk region.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 2:25 PM

Kursk Oblast, Russia:

“Something unknown” hit a gas station in Russia’s Kursk region.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 7:57 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

As we feed the Ukrainian cats 😸 today, the Hachiko team is using a new tool: a drone detector that can pick up video signals from Russian attack drones. This is life on the front lines of Ukraine now…

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— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) February 7, 2026 at 11:29 AM

Open thread!