Newsletter 02/02/2026
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
On February 1, Russian troops attacked a DTEK miners’ bus with drones in the Pavlohrad district, Dnipropetrovsk region.
According to DTEK Group, 12 miners were killed and 16 others were injured. Nine of the wounded are in critical condition.
Day of mourning declared in Dnipropetrovsk region for miners killed in Russian drone attack
Sybiha on shelling of bus carrying miners: Russia must be punished, accountability is essential for just peace
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for Russia to be held accountable for a targeted drone strike on a bus in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which killed 15 miners.
TOP
Ukrainian Defense Ministry to publish Starlink registration instructions for Ukrainian users
In the coming days, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry will publish instructions for Ukrainian users on how to register their Starlink terminals for verification.
As reported, SpaceX begins countering Shahed drones using Starlink
At the request of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, SpaceX has begun taking countermeasures against Shahed-type attack UAVs that are using Starlink technology.
As previously reported, according to Beskrestnov, Russian forces used Shahed drones equipped with Starlink satellite internet terminals near Kropyvnytskyi, striking helicopters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
On January 29, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said that the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, together with SpaceX, had already begun working on a solution to the problem of Russian drones using Starlink satellite communications.
SpaceX owner, U.S. billionaire Elon Musk, responded to Fedorov’s message thanking him for his assistance in addressing the issue of Starlink terminals being used on Russian UAVs.
Ukraine imposes additional sanctions against Russia’s tanker fleet, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree imposing sanctions against companies that service Russia’s tanker fleet and transport sanctioned oil, as well as against Kremlin propagandists.
Russians strike diesel locomotive at station in Zaporizhzhia region with drone
On the morning of February 2, a Russian UAV struck a diesel locomotive standing at a railway station in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Ukrzaliznytsia emphasized that this is yet another targeted attack on the railway, which performs a critically important function in transporting passengers, humanitarian aid, and cargo vital to the economy.
The company is quickly addressing the aftermath of the shelling and, given the complicated security situation, continues to ensure the stable operation of rail services and the transport of passengers and cargo.
Russia continues to attack energy infrastructure, four regions affected by new power outages
As of the morning of February 2, new Russian attacks have left users in four regions without power; bad weather has caused power outages in 162 settlements in three regions.
Consequences of drone attack shown in Cherkasy region
Fifteen enemy UAVs were destroyed last night in the Cherkasy region, causing damage due to falling debris.
“Last night, the Russians launched a massive strike on the Cherkasy region with UCAVs. Air Defense Forces and our mobile fire groups were operating in the region. They neutralized 15 enemy targets. However, the Russian scrap caused considerable damage, particularly in our regional center,” Taburets wrote.
The UAV crash caused a fire in a residential area. According to preliminary data, two houses were destroyed, neighboring premises were damaged, and cars were burned.
Debris and the shock wave also damaged the buildings of three private enterprises and a car cooperative.
War
Ignat: Some air defense systems are sometimes empty before enemy attacks
Ukraine lacks missiles for air defense systems, and there are cases when they are empty before another Russian attack.
Near Pokrovsk, drones save Ukrainian soldiers from captivity
A Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group captured four soldiers during an assault on an observation post.
Subsequently, the group of Russians accompanying the Ukrainian soldiers was detected by aerial reconnaissance patrolling the area.
Strike drones from the 25th Separate Airborne Sicheslav Brigade of the 7th Rapid Response Corps, the 68th Jaeger Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush, and other related units immediately flew to the rescue.
The swarm of FPV drones’ approach disoriented the invaders and diverted their attention. The Ukrainian military took advantage of this and managed to break free from enemy captivity.
Partisans strike Russian communications system in Kherson region
Agents of the ATESH partisan movement struck an enemy communications system and weakened the electronic warfare capabilities of Russian occupiers in the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region.
Ukrainian forces repel Russian attempt to advance near Stupochky and Toretsk
The Ukrainian Defense Forces have repelled an attempt by Russian troops to advance near the settlements of Stupochky on the Kramatorsk axis and Toretsk on the Kostiantynivka axis.
War update: 63 clashes on front line since morning, Pokrovsk sector most active
Defense Forces strike Russian command posts, ammunition depot in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions
Russian troops probe Ukrainian defenses along Kharkiv and Sumy border, Trehubov says
Voloshyn: Russians intensify pressure in Huliaipole sector, with 1,000 combat engagements in January
Air Defense Forces destroy 157 of more than 170 Russian drones
Ukrainian border guards destroy two Russian reconnaissance drones in Sumy region
Shellings
Russian drone hits maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia
An explosion was heard in Zaporizhzhia during an air raid alert. Enemy forces struck the city with a drone, hitting a maternity hospital.
Russian attack damages 18 facilities in Zaporizhzhia
Eighteen facilities were damaged as a result of a Russian UAV attack in Zaporizhzhia, most of them residential buildings.
Russian forces strike market in Kharkiv, casualties reported
Russians attack Zaporizhzhia with drones since morning; damage recorded in three districts
Russian troops shell Chernihiv region more than 50 times in 24 hours, causing damage
Russians strike six settlements in Kharkiv region, two people injured
Russian forces launch 844 strikes on Zaporizhzhia region over past day, ten injured
Politics
Europe must demand restrictions on Russia’s army and nuclear weapons, Kallas says
Europe should demand concessions from Russia, including limits on military power, the army, and nuclear weapons, as well as accountability “for the crimes that they have committed.”
Sybiha discusses peace efforts, Abu Dhabi meeting with OSCE leadership
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha discussed with the OSCE Chair, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, and OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioglu the role of their organization in promoting peace.
Melnyk speaks about his first protest at UN over disagreement with Russian narratives
Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Andrii Melnyk, has spoken about his first protest action at the United Nations, which he staged in disagreement with the Russian ambassador’s speech during the ceremony commemorating the victims of the Holocaust in the General Assembly Hall.
Zelensky sets tasks for Ukraine’s delegation ahead of UAE talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved the framework for discussions and specific tasks for the Ukrainian negotiating team ahead of a new round of trilateral meetings in the United Arab Emirates.
Energy
Ukraine to receive $40M from World Bank for energy system recovery
The World Bank will allocate $40 million for the restoration of Ukraine’s energy system, according to Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal.