Newsletter 05/02/2026
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Ukraine returns 157 servicemen from captivity, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that another prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place today. As a result, 157 Ukrainian servicemen have returned home.
The father received news that his son was returning from captivity
“When we have arrived, the children stood with flags!” Defenders came to support their brothers after the exchange
Elvira hasn’t seen her husband for 4 years and 19 days and today he returns from captivity for an exchange.
SBU releases exclusive footage from today’s prisoner exchange
Freed Marine Kurtmallayev spent more than two years in solitary confinement
As part of a prisoner exchange in the 157-for-157 format, Ukraine managed to bring home Marine Ruslan Kurtmallayev, a Crimean Tatar.
U.S., Ukraine, and Russia delegations agree on exchange of 314 POWs – Witkoff
Delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia agreed on Thursday, February 5, in Abu Dhabi to exchange 314 prisoners.
Energy assistance, participation in PURL, joint weapon production become key topics of Zelensky–Tusk meeting in Kyiv
The main topics of the talks between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Kyiv were energy assistance, Poland’s participation in PURL, and joint weapons production.
Ukraine can supply drones to Poland in exchange for air defense missiles, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine is ready to supply drones to Poland in exchange for missiles for air defense systems.
Ukraine strikes Russia’s Kapustin Yar missile range in January
Throughout January 2026, the Defense Forces of Ukraine conducted a series of successful strikes on a complex of hangar-type buildings at the Kapustin Yar range in Russia’s Astrakhan region, where pre-launch preparations of medium-range intercontinental ballistic missiles are carried out. The strikes were delivered using long-range strike assets of Ukrainian manufacture, including the FP-5 Flamingo.
According to available information, a number of buildings on the range sustained varying degrees of damage, one of the hangars was significantly damaged, and part of the personnel was evacuated from the site.
Verified Starlink terminals operational as Russian access blocked – Fedorov
Starlink terminals that have been added to the “white list” are operational, while Russian terminals have already been blocked.
Zelensky names Ukraine’s official losses in war
Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the confirmed losses of Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion amount to 55,000 fallen soldiers.
He added that there is also "a large number of people whom Ukraine considers missing in action."
Next meeting of negotiating teams to take place in near future – Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelensky said that the negotiating delegations of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia in Abu Dhabi agreed that their next meeting would be held in the near future.
War
Ukrainian forces strike Russian logistics hub, drone control points, EW assets
Ukrainian forces have struck a logistics hub, concentrations of enemy personnel, drone control points, and electronic warfare (EW) assets of Russian troops.
Border guards destroy two Russian robotic systems with drones in Southern sector
Fighters of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine used drones in the south to hit two Russian ground-based robotic complexes along with their ammunition.
Ukrainian intelligence calculates how much Russia spent on February 3 strike
The total cost of the weapons Russia used for the massive aerial strike on Ukraine on February 3 amounts to $324.8 million.
Voloshyn debunks Russian fake claiming wounded not evacuated in Huliaipole sector
Information spread by Russian media alleging that severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers are not being evacuated in the Huliaipole sector is not true.
Airstrikes intensify in southern Ukraine, Russia changes bombing strategy – military spox
The situation in the Huliaipole and Oleksandrivka sectors of the font remains difficult. Russian forces have increased the number of airstrikes, but Ukraine’s Defense Forces are holding their positions.
Russia loses 770 soldiers in war against Ukraine over past day
Staroukrainka on Huliaipole axis remains under Ukrainian control – military spox
Ukrainian forces destroy Russian howitzer with single FPV drone in Myrnohrad
War update: 56 clashes on front line since morning, Pokrovsk sector most active
Shellings
Russian nighttime drone attack on Kyiv leaves two injured
In Kyiv, two people were injured during a Russian drone attack on the night of February 5.
In the Solomianskyi district, drone debris damaged the facade and shattered windows in four high-rise residential buildings. A 79-year-old woman was injured and hospitalized. Doctors provided on-site medical assistance to another woman, aged 89.
In the Darnytskyi district, the facade of a residential building was damaged as a result of a UAV crash.
In the Obolonskyi district, drone debris fell on a parking lot, causing two cars to catch fire.
In the Shevchenkivskyi district, a drone hit the roof of an office building. The fire was extinguished by emergency responders.
Investigative and operational teams, bomb disposal experts, and emergency services are working at the scenes. Police are documenting the consequences of Russian war crimes.
Eight civilians killed, 21 wounded in Russian attacks on Donetsk region over past day
On February 4, Russian forces killed eight residents of the Donetsk region and wounded another 21.
Vadym Filashkin, head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration said that on February 4, the Russian army killed seven people in Druzhkivka and one person in Lyman.
Another 21 people in the region were injured over the course of the day.
Ukrainian border guards report shelling, local assaults on border with Russia
Russian forces shell railway infrastructure in Sumy region, one person injured
Apartment blocks, cars damaged in Sumy after overnight attack
Significant power outages in Kharkiv after morning Russian attacks
Invaders strike Bakhtyn in Kharkiv region, injuries reported
Defense
Ukraine, Poland sign letter of intent on joint weapons production, Tusk says
Kyiv and Warsaw have signed a letter of intent on joint production in the defense industry sector.
Finland announces new military aid package for Ukraine worth nearly €43M
Finland will provide Ukraine with its 32nd military aid package, valued at approximately EUR 43 million.
Zelensky, Kristersson discuss strengthening Ukraine’s air defense
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson discussed bolstering Ukraine’s air defense and protecting critical infrastructure.
Politics
Sybiha urges not to fall for Russia’s nuclear blackmail, as Putin has no funds for new arms race
Russian President Vladimir Putin should be denied the ability to form a new nuclear security architecture following the end of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between the United States and Russia.
Trump clearly says Putin has no right to invade Ukraine – Vance
U.S. President Donald Trump has stated very clearly that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had no right to attack Ukraine.
Poland will not support any peace deal that runs counter to Ukraine’s interests – Tusk
Warsaw will not back any decisions taken in the context of the Abu Dhabi talks that would go against Ukraine’s interests.
Trump suggests Russia-Ukraine war could end soon
U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that the Russian-Ukrainian war could be resolved in the near future.
Geopolotics
Kremlin plans to establish total control over IT sector – intelligence
Russian authorities plan to expand state oversight of the digital environment, including artificial intelligence technologies.
Energy
France delivers first batch of 30 generators to Kyiv
The Support Center of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has handed over the first batch of 30 generators to Kyiv’s municipal enterprise Kyivteploenergo as part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Russia carried out 217 attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector since start of year – PM Svyrydenko
The government continues to implement support measures for Ukrainians amid the energy crisis caused by Russian strikes—217 attacks have already been recorded since the beginning of the year.
At least two months needed to restore Darnytsia CHP plant – Kyiv mayor
The Darnytsia Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant sustained critical damage during Russia’s attack on Kyiv on February 3, and restoring its systems and equipment will take at least two months.
Read also: Zelensky: Situation in Kyiv remains difficult, over 1,100 buildings without heating
Society
Zelensky, Tusk honor fallen Ukrainian defenders
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk jointly laid a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance honoring those who died for Ukraine.