Newsletter 11/02/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Russians fire 19 missiles at gas production facilities in Poltava region – Air Force
On the night of February 11, the Russians launched a combined attack with 19 missiles of various types on gas production facilities in Poltava region.
At night, the invaders launched a combined attack with missiles of various types of air, land and sea-based missiles on gas production facilities in Poltava region - a total of up to 19 cruise, ballistic and guided missiles.
The enemy also attacked Ukraine with 124 Shahed-type attack UAVs and other types of imitator drones from the directions of: Millerovo, Orel, Bryansk, Kursk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.
Aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare equipment and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Air Force and Defense Forces were involved in repelling the air attack.
Zelensky says members of Trump's team will visit Kyiv this week
"Today, it is important to focus on the practical work of the Ukrainian and U.S. teams and on a shared vision of key issues. Of course, there may be different opinions, but [there must be] a common understanding of the main priorities -- how to stop Putin and how to provide security guarantees for Ukraine. This week, some serious figures from President Trump's team will be in Ukraine, even before the Munich [Security] Conference. Then, at the Munich Conference, I will have a series of meetings, including one with U.S. Vice President [JD Vance]," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this at a joint press conference with European Investment Bank President Nadia Calvino in Kyiv on Monday
Ukraine in talks to return $39M seized in Switzerland – NABU Director
The relevant statement was made by National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) Director Semen Kryvonos at a press conference.
“A unique case is taking place right now; we have the opportunity to return USD 39 million that had been seized in Switzerland. Right now we are in talks with our international partners. The NABU and the General Prosecutor’s Office have voiced their position here, took all measures for these assets to be returned to Ukraine. But, the position of the Government and Naftogaz is important. We hope that in the near future they will come together and support our position, and we will be able to return UAH 1.5 billion to Ukraine,” Kryvonos told.
Drones attacked oil refinery in Saratov
On the night of February 11, a group of drones attacked an oil refinery in Saratov, Russia, again.
“Air defense forces eliminated the UAV. There is damage to an industrial enterprise in Saratov. Operational services are working in the places where the wreckage may have fallen,” Saratov Region Governor Roman Busargin wrote on social media.
Ukraine's General Staff confirms strike on Saratov oil refinery
Ukraine has 'essentially' agreed to grant U.S. access to $500B worth of natural resources in exchange for aid – Trump
"They [Ukrainians] have tremendously valuable land in terms of rare earth, in terms of oil and gas, in terms of other things. I want to have our money secured because we are spending hundreds of billions of dollars. And, you know, they may make a deal. They may not make a deal. They may be Russians some day or may not be Russians some day. We are going to have all this money. I say I want it back. And I told them [Ukrainians] that I want the equivalent like $500 billion worth of rare earth, and they have essentially agreed to do that. I said to them that we have to get something. We can't continue to pay this money," Trump said.
Zelensky offers Trump access to fossil fuels: ‘It’s about security and money’
Zelensky said that he proposed the idea of Ukrainian rare earth minerals to Trump back in September when they met in New York.
According to Zelensky, Ukraine has the largest reserves of uranium and titanium in Europe, and “it is not in the interests of the United States” for these reserves to end up in Russian hands and potentially be transferred to the DPRK, China, or Iran.
Zelensky now intends to return with a “more detailed plan” on opportunities for American companies to extract Ukrainian natural resources and help rebuild Ukraine after the war.
Seoul says North Korea supplied Russia with 200 long-range artillery pieces
(North Korea) has provided some 11,000 troops, missiles, 200 pieces of long-range artillery and a substantial amount of ammunition and there is the possibility of (the North) additionally supplying troops, weapons and ammunition going forward.
Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang have traditionally commented on military aid transfers.
Additionally, the South Korea's Defense Ministry said North Korea is expected to double down on its weapons development this year, the final year in its five-year plan to develop sophisticated weapons, such as nuclear-powered submarines, spy satellites and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
War
U.S. funding freeze slows investigation into Russian war crimes against Ukraine – Reuters
Ukraine has opened more than 140,000 war crime cases since Moscow's February 2022 invasion, which has killed tens of thousands, ravaged vast swathes of the country and left behind mental and physical scars from occupation.
U.S.-funded international initiatives such as the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine (ACA) have provided expertise and oversight to Ukrainian authorities.
At stake are six U.S.-funded projects at the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) valued at $89 million, according to a Ukrainian document on the U.S. funding and cuts seen by Reuters.
Funding for at least five of those projects has already been frozen.
Ukraine's cyber watchdog reports on shift in Russian cyberattack focus
Russian hackers have increasingly focused on establishing long-term access within information systems to gather intelligence. While this remained their priority throughout the past year, they were particularly interested in battlefield-related data. Their main targets were Ukraine's security and defense sector, along with companies supporting it -- especially those in the defense industry. Additionally, in 2024, financially motivated Russian cybercriminal groups have intensified their activities, engaging in fund theft through fraudulent schemes and targeted cyberattacks on large organizations.
In Berdiansk, Russians train schoolchildren to participate in war against Ukraine
“The occupiers opened a training center in the Pedagogical Quantum Technopark where students are taught to fly drones,”This was reported by the Berdiansk CMA in Telegram
The city state administration noted that students acquire practical skills in using modern technologies to solve urgent problems in science, education and social security with the help of UAVs. But in reality, it is for military-related tasks.
It is also reported that the laboratory is equipped with quadcopter designers, UAV control systems, and training stands that allow practicing the skills necessary for reconnaissance and artillery fire adjustment.
Communication with Ukrainians in occupied territories ongoing – Prokudin
Airstrike on Zolochiv: seven persons injured, three rescued from under rubble
War update: battles ongoing on six fronts, heavy fighting in Kursk region
Mykolaiv governor on possible offensive: ‘We are not priority target for Russians’
Ukrainian forces destroy three Russian long-range Giatsint-B guns in Kharkiv region
Drone operators from Ukraine's Phoenix strike UAV unit have hit three Russian long-range Giatsint-B artillery guns in the Kharkiv region.
"Private" hacker groups start working for Russia – Head of Ukraine's State Special Communications Service
Hacker groups attacking Ukrainian information systems are operating within Russian intelligence agencies. Additionally, some private hacker groups have started working for the aggressor state.
Defense
Rheinmetall delivers five more Caracal air assault vehicles to Ukraine
his brings the total number of Caracals delivered to 20, with five more to follow in the near future.
Ukrainian BATON UAV system approved for use in Ukrainian Armed Forces
The Main Directorate for the Support of Weaponry and Military Equipment Lifecycle noted that the BATON drones were designed based on military requirements, with a focus on maximum simplicity and ease of operation in challenging conditions. The drones are built on frames of various sizes.
Politics
Lend-lease bill to be introduced in U.S. Congress
Republican Congressman Joe Wilson has announced his intention to introduce a lend-lease bill in Congress that will enable the U.S. President to provide weapons to partner countries including Ukraine, as it continues to resist Russian aggression.
War in Ukraine to be top issue at Munich Security Conference – Rubio
Ukraine, Lithuania to strengthen cooperation in countering Russian disinformation, propaganda
Ukraine’s MFA refutes Tucker Carlson’s lies about alleged arms resale
Economy
Shmyhal on unified logistics space with EU: Ukraine to build and upgrade 46 border checkpoints
"We are creating a unified logistics space to ensure the smooth and rapid movement of people, goods, and services across the border in both directions. We are focusing on several key areas," said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
The first key area is the "transport visa-free regime" with the EU, which eliminates the need for separate permits for Ukrainian carriers. According to Shmyhal, the government is working to make this arrangement permanent in Ukraine-EU relations. He noted that in 2024, Ukraine exported $14.7 billion worth of goods by road transport, a 5% increase from 2023.
Crime
Local resident in Khmelnytskyi arrested for collaborating with Russian intelligence
A 23-year-old local resident of Khmelnytskyi has been taken into custody without the right to bail after being accused of gathering intelligence on military locations for the enemy and committing sabotage.
According to the prosecutor’s office, in the summer of 2024, the 23-year-old man agreed, via social media, to collaborate with Russian intelligence in exchange for money.
He gathered and transmitted the coordinates of military facilities in Khmelnytskyi to the enemy, marking them on Google Maps screenshots and photos. The Russian military later used this information to launch Shahed-type drone attacks.
Additionally, the suspect agreed to set fire to a railway relay cabinet, which controls train movement, for a payment of $200.
He carefully planned the act, traveling 20 km outside the city, bringing flammable liquid and a change of clothes, and approaching the target location through the forest.
Environment
Over 1,300 tons of waste collected in Crimea following tanker accidents
In Crimea, 525.4 kilometers of coastline are being inspected, stretching from the city district of Kerch to the village of Portove, with 697 tons of contaminated sand and soil collected.
In Sevastopol, 165 kilometers of coastline between Laspi and Andriivka are being examined, 650 tons of pollutants have been collected and removed.
Additionally, 18 tons of oil-containing waste have been gathered from the Black Sea waters. In Krasnodar territory, Russia, localized oil spills have been detected along the shoreline from Cape Panagia to Anapa’s Central Beach, with 181,000 units of pollutants collected since the start of cleanup efforts.