Newsletter 17/02/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
TOP
Russia claims to have downed 90 drones as refinery in Krasnodar region hit
Krasnodar Governor Venyamin Kondratyev confirmed the attack by Ukrainian drones. He stated that drone debris had fallen in the village of Ilsky, Seversky District, damaging 12 homes and injuring a local resident.
Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted and destroyed 90 Ukrainian drones. According to the ministry, 38 drones were shot down over the Sea of Azov, 24 over the Krasnodar region, 15 over occupied Crimea, seven over the Black Sea, two in the Kursk and Rostov regions, and one each in the Bryansk and Belgorod regions.
Ukrainian SOF confirm strike on Ilsky oil refinery, Kropotkinskaya oil station in Russia
Rubio says Ukraine, Europe will be part of real peace talks
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed the concerns of Europeans that they could be excluded from upcoming talks between Russia and the U.S., set to take place in Saudi Arabia in the coming days. He said that the negotiation process has not yet begun in earnest, but if talks progress, Ukraine and European nations will be involved.
Rubio said that U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week. During the conversation, Putin expressed interest in peace, while Trump conveyed his desire for a lasting resolution that ensures Ukrainian sovereignty.
Ukraine, UAE sign agreement on comprehensive economic partnership - Zelensky
Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates have signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, which provides for the import of 99% of goods and products from Ukraine without paying customs duties.
Head of SES: 100 rescuers killed, 430 injured in Ukraine over three years of war
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, 100 employees of Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (SES) have been killed, while 430 more rescuers have been injured.
Russians circulate new video of Ukrainian POWs execution – Ombudsman
"Another cynical crime. Russian military channels are publishing a video of what appears to be the execution of Ukrainian servicemen who were captured by Russian forces. In the video, Russian soldiers can be heard repeatedly ordering the execution of the prisoners. This underscores that executions are a deliberate policy of Russia," stated Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Lubinets.
He emphasized that such actions by Russian invaders violate international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war.
War
Occupiers completely destroyed power generation in Mykolaiv – mayor
On the night of February 16, Russia’s strike on a local thermal power plant completely destroyed the power generation in Mykolaiv.
“... at night, the enemy attacked our TPP with several drones, which left the subscribers of TPP without heat. Power generation was completely destroyed,” said Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych.
The mayor added the city is trying to restore heat supply using alternative ways to solve the problem.
Atesh: Russian troops sabotaging combat operations near Pokrovsk, disabling equipment
Agents from the Atesh resistance movement, composed of Russian Armed Forces personnel, reported that Russian soldiers are actively sabotaging combat operations near Pokrovsk, with daily incidents of disabled armored vehicles, damaged artillery, and deliberate weapon sabotage being recorded.
The 37th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade and the 5th Separate Tank Brigade are reportedly most involved in the sabotage, having repeatedly refused orders and deliberately damaged equipment. In response, the Russian military command has launched an investigation.
Border guards of the "Forpost" brigade continue to destroy the occupiers' equipment in the Volchansk direction
Ukrainian air defense forces destroy over 850 enemy drones, missiles in past week
Ukrainian forces down 83 Russian drones, 59 vanish from radar
Russian drone strikes rescuers delivering water in Kostiantynivka
Georgian volunteer Levan Parkaya was killed in the war in Ukraine.
“Our friend, Levan Parkaya, died in Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Georgia! Glory to the heroes!” wrote on Facebook one of the leaders of the coalition “For Change” Zurab Japaridze.
Defense
Charity donors provide Ukraine's intelligence agency with T12 boat
The Ukrainian-made T12 boat, designed for medical evacuation, civilian rescue missions from frontline regions, and other water operations, has been delivered to the military intelligence's special forces as part of the "Boats for HUR" project.
The T12 boat is equipped with modern navigation and radio equipment and features two powerful engines, providing a speed of up to 95 km/h. Its range is 500 km. Thanks to these specifications, the boat is used in both transport and combat missions, including those with unmanned watercraft.
Canada to allocate over USD 11M for Ukraine’s demining efforts
Germany delivers new military aid package to Ukraine
Politics
Saudi Arabia interested in cooperation with Ukraine's agricultural sector – Koval
Saudi Arabia plans to continue its cooperation with Ukraine in crop cultivation, veterinary medicine, and feed production. Businesses have also expressed interest in the joint development of livestock farming and organic production.
Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Vitalii Koval stated that meetings had already been held with Saudi Arabia's Minister of Investment, Khalid Al-Falih, and Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Abdulrahman Al-Fadli. Discussions focused on preparing an economic mission comprising government officials and business representatives.
Zelensky about plans to meet with Trump: We are working on date
Trump aims for ceasefire in Ukraine by Easter – Bloomberg
EU Commission to visit Ukraine on 3rd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion
Ukraine-Russia agreement should involve 'deterrence force,' not peacekeepers – Dutch FM
Europe considering deploying up to 30,000 troops in Ukraine – The Washington Post