Newsletter 10/02/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
People and the war
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Drones attack Afipsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar territory – CCD/Video
This refinery is one of Russia’s key oil processing plants, with an annual capacity of 6.25 million tons of crude oil.
The Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, Andrii Kovalenko emphasized that the Afipsky refinery plays a strategic role in fueling Russian military equipment, especially in the southern direction.
Trump says U.S. making progress in talks to end Russia-Ukraine war
U.S. President Donald Trump believes that the United States is making progress in in its talks to end the war between Russia and Ukraine but declined to provide details about his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking with journalists aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump confirmed that he had been in contact with Putin, reported Reuters.
Trump did not specify whether his conversation with Putin took place before or after his inauguration, but he stated: "I’ve had it. Let’s just say I’ve had it...And I expect to have many more conversations. We have to get that war ended. If we are talking, I don’t want to tell you about the conversations. I do believe we’re making progress. We want to stop the Ukraine-Russia war."
Latvia to send Patria armored personnel carriers to Ukraine this year
"These Latvian-made armored vehicles will be handed over to Ukrainian defenders by the end of this year. We will not only support Ukraine in its fight against the occupiers but also assess the performance and durability of the armored vehicles in real combat conditions, which will allow the National Armed Forces to draw valuable conclusions," said Lithuanian Defense Minister Andris Spruds said.
Ukraine and EIB sign agreements worth over EUR 100M to restore energy and critical infrastructure
Ukraine and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have signed agreements that provide for the allocation of EUR 16.5 million from the EIB to restore critical infrastructure and implement energy efficiency, as well as EUR 100 million to restore water, heat, and sewage facilities.
War
North Korea using war in Ukraine as testing ground for its own military capabilities - ISW
Russia may be providing drone and missile technology to North Korea in exchange for North Korean troops fighting in Kursk region. Japanese outlet NHK, citing multiple sources familiar with Russia–North Korea relations, reported on February 8 that Russia has agreed to assist North Korea in developing and mass-producing various types of drones in exchange for North Korean forces supporting Russia’s war effort against Ukraine.
NHK noted that Russia remains reluctant to help North Korea develop nuclear weapons, fearing that North Korean nuclear tests could further strain relations with the United States and complicate relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Ukrainian border guards destroy Russian communication antenna, four vehicles near Vovchansk
Artillerymen showcase destruction of two Russian howitzers and tank
Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed over 600 enemy targets in week
AFU: Russians’ ‘shaft of fire’ tactics fail on eastern front
Russians attempting to bypass Pokrovsk, 33 assaults today on this front – military
Russians accumulating, regrouping forces for assaults in Chasiv Yar – military
Elderly woman dies in hospital after morning shelling in Kherson
Russians drop 10 glide bombs on village in Zaporizhzhia region
Defense
Ukrainian Defense Forces launching Drone Line project
The Ukrainian Defense Forces are launching the revolutionary Drone Line project, which will significantly enhance the brigades and scale up the experience of effectively eliminating the enemy.
The first phase of the project includes five elite regiments and brigades: 20th Separate K-2 Regiment, 429th Achilles Regiment, 427th RAROH Regiment, 414th Madyar’s Birds Brigade, and Phoenix Regiment (part of the Pomsta Brigade).
Infantry and UAVs will be integrated into a single strike system, which will enable:
the creation of a kill zone 10-15 km deep, where the enemy cannot move without suffering losses;
continuous aerial support and cover for infantry;
detection and destruction of enemy targets before they reach Ukrainian positions.
"This will fundamentally change battlefield tactics, giving our warriors a decisive advantage," emphasized Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
Politics
Russia can no longer use energy as weapon against Baltic states – Zelensky
The disconnection of the Baltic states from Russia’s power grid has deprived Moscow of the ability to use electricity as a weapon against them and has made Europe even more unified.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this in his evening address.
He emphasized that the Baltic states’ disconnection from the Russian energy network and their full synchronization with the European continental system is a significant event for the entire region and Europe as a whole.
Trump plans to end war, but security guarantees to be with Europeans – Waltz
Ukraine set to start exhumation of Volhynia Massacre victims this spring – Ambassador
Crime
Psychotherapist, UOC-MP deacon arrested in Kharkiv for spying on AFU
In Kharkiv, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has detained a psychotherapist and a deacon from the Kharkiv diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) who were spying on the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the behest of Russian intelligence services.
The suspects were attempting to gather information on the concentration points of Ukrainian military personnel and equipment in Kharkiv.
They were also collecting personal data of Ukrainian defenders, as well as the movement routes within the city.
The psychotherapist used his patients, including military personnel undergoing psychological rehabilitation after combat, to gather intelligence.
He enlisted his close acquaintance, a deacon from the Kharkiv diocese, who discreetly inquired about information from parishioners. The deacon then passed the information to the psychotherapist, who compiled the reports and sent them to his Russian handler via messaging apps.
For communication with the FSB, the agent used a separate phone and SIM card, which he concealed in his mailbox.
Couple sentenced to life imprisonment in Germany for murder of two Ukrainian women
The regional court in the city of Mannheim, southern Germany, has sentenced a 45-year-old woman and her 43-year-old husband to life imprisonment for the murder of a Ukrainian woman and her mother in March 2024, as well as the abduction of a child.
The court determined that the couple intended to pass off the child of one of the victims as their own. It also established the exceptional severity of their crime.
Sport
Invictus Games: Ukraine opens with victory over Colombia in wheelchair basketball
The seventh Invictus Games have begun in Vancouver, Canada, with Team Ukraine participating for the fourth time.
On the first day of competition, the Ukrainian team achieved success in the wheelchair basketball tournament.
In their opening match, Ukraine defeated Colombia 12-6.
Next, Ukraine will face Afghanistan in Group C.
The Drone Line Project sounds very promising and an innovative tactic
Go Ukraine !!!