Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1444: Ukraine’s kill rate overtakes Russian troop replacement as three secret offensives revealed

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Exclusives

Ukraine aimed a barrage of Flamingo missiles at Russia’s Oreshnik missile base—and apparently missed. Ukraine’s Flamingo cruise missiles are back in action in small numbers. But it seems they missed a very valuable target.

Trump’s peace process produced Ukraine’s deadliest year. That’s not a coincidence.. Russia broke every record for killing civilians in 2025—while Trump hailed “progress” in negotiations.

France adopts Russia’s once-mocked “cope cage” anti-drone armor for its own vehicles. Four years after “cope cages” became a punchline, a French VBCI is wearing their evolved descendant.

Ukraine bans GMO crops as wartime farmers race to meet EU standards by 2028 (INFOGRAPHICS). The pesticide switch alone needs a decade. Subsidies that cover half of the EU competitors’ costs may finally follow.

Trump gives Orbán “complete and total endorsement” ahead of Hungary’s tightest election in years. Orban trails opposition as Washington doubles down on one of Europe’s most Kremlin-friendly leader

Wargame reveals Germany would freeze as Russia seizes Lithuanian territory in three days. In the simulation, Berlin chose consensus-building while Russian forces seized the Suwalki Gap connecting Moscow-controlled Kaliningrad with Belarus

Russia forced its banks to fund the war—now the bill is coming due. First top-10 bank posts losses as bad debt breaches crisis threshold.

Russia dreams of a Siberian capital while its war on Ukraine empties Siberia out. The Kremlin’s grand plans for “Siberianization” collide with depopulation, budget collapse, and a war against Ukraine that’s draining the very regions Moscow claims to want to develop.

Ukrainian brigades detail Starlink crackdown: Russian terminals “became just bricks,” assaults disrupted. Russians forced to look for imperfect backup plans, which should slow down operations

Russian oil discounts hit new high as Trump’s India deal creates uncertainty — China gets all benefits. Trump announces India deal. Modi says nothing.

Military

Zelenskyy shakes up Air Force units after Russian drones punch through defenses. Defense Minister Fedorov tasked with overseeing counter-drone improvements.

Zelenskyy calls Air Force performance unsatisfactory in some regions after drone attack. Volodymyr Zelenskyy ordered the Air Force Commander and Defense Minister to implement immediate changes after 22 Russian drones struck 14 locations across Ukraine during a massive overnight attack.

Two offensives inside Russia, one in Donetsk Oblast: The unannounced operations derailed Moscow’s 2025 strategy, Syrskyi says. The Belgorod, Kursk, and Dobropillia operations were never publicly announced but were “extremely important” and achieved their goals of destroying Russian forces and blocking the seizure of Donetsk Oblast, the top general stated.

Ukraine’s kill rate just overtook Russia’s troop replacement, Syrskyi says. And Kyiv is upgrading the training pipeline that produced those numbers.

Russia isn’t intending to storm Zaporizhzhia. What it’s planning is pressuring US with strikes on 700,000 civilians amid peace talks – expert. Moscow is trying to get within artillery range of 700,000 civilians who have no subway shelter and no time to hide.

This vehicle has become Ukraine’s battlefield legend. “Predator” built partly from trophy Russian ABT-102 aluminum, hits 120 km/h off-road. Can’t restore Russian equipment? Melt it down. Build buggies.

Intelligence and technology

Starlink crackdown cripples Russians—but American engineer warns Ukraine is just as vulnerable. Elon could just as easily switch off Ukraine’s command and control.

Russian troops crowdfund radios as assault numbers drop by half after Starlink goes dark. Ukraine’s General Staff unofficially confirmed that locking unverified Starlink terminals triggered massive communication failures across Russian units.

“We can breathe easier”: Ukrainian soldiers say Russians in panic after Starlink shutdown. Russian forces had Starlink on strike drones. The shutdown blocked them.

International

Norway doubles energy aid to Ukraine as millions freeze through Russian strikes. New €86.4mn pledge brings total to €163.6mn.

Washington and Moscow to reopen military communication channel shut down before Russian invasion of Ukraine. Channel agreed during US-mediated Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi.

$1 billion in trade cuts, a crude oil shipping ban, and a crypto crackdown: what the EU’s proposed sanctions package would hit. Von der Leyen urges member states to endorse the package before the war’s fourth anniversary, citing Russia’s 24% oil revenue collapse as proof that sanctions work.

Estonian FM Tsahkna opens resilience center in Kyiv as part of 2.4 mn euro energy support package. Margus Tsahkna announced the facility will provide shelter during Russian-induced blackouts, part of Estonia’s 2.4 mn euro energy support package, and presented additional energy assistance during a Kyiv press conference without specifying details.

Baltic leaders call on Europe to claim its seat at Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Latvia’s PM and Estonia’s president say Europe must stop watching from the sidelines and get its own representative into the room where the war’s future is being shaped.

Moldova’s Sandu declines Nobel Peace Prize nomination, says Ukrainian POWs deserve it more. “They deserve it first of all. But above all, they deserve peace.”

Humanitarian and social impact

Russian drones strike evacuation vehicle in Kherson Oblast, killing volunteer and wounding three. Group had been unable to leave Beryslav since 4 February due to constant attacks.

Kyiv residents face months without heat after Russian strike destroys Darnytska power plant. Over 1,100 apartment buildings affected across two districts.

Political and legal developments

Russia’s second-in-command at military intelligence shot in Moscow apartment building. Azov commander says Alexeyev personally guaranteed — then violated — Geneva Conventions for Ukrainian POWs.

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