Mykhailo Honchar, President of the Center for Global Studies “Strategy XXI”
Russia’s Crocodile Logic: Outsmart, Don’t Outmuscle.
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Search: "russia"20 February 2026
War update: 237 combat engagements over past day, fiercest battles on Pokrovsk, Huliaipole fronts
Over the past 24 hours, 237 combat engagements occurred between the Defense Forces of Ukraine and Russian troops, with the highest enemy activity reported in the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole sectors.
Ukraine commemorates Heroes of Heavenly Hundred
On Friday, February 20, Ukraine observes Remembrance Day of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.
Russians launch over 20 attacks on Dnipropetrovsk region, injuring three civilians
Russian forces carried out more than 20 attacks on three districts of the Dnipropetrovsk region using drones, artillery, and Grad multiple launch rocket systems. Three civilians were wounded.
Russia’s war casualty toll in Ukraine up by 970 over past day
The total combat losses of Russian forces in the war against Ukraine from February 24, 2022, to February 20, 2026, amount to approximately 1,257,880 personnel, including 970 troops killed and wounded over the past day.
Apartment building damaged during Russian offensive in spring 2022 restored in Bucha
Major repairs have been completed on apartment building No. 104b on Kyievo-Myrotska Street in Bucha, which was damaged during the temporary occupation of the community by Russian forces in the spring of 2022.
Ukrainian National Guard drones take out Solntsepyok, three Pion guns behind Russian lines
Operators of the Lasar’s Group strike UAV unit of the National Guard of Ukraine struck 13 pieces of enemy equipment during a special operation behind Russian lines in the Luhansk region, including a TOS-1A Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower system and three Pion self-propelled artillery systems.
New Zealand expands sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine
The government of New Zealand has once again expanded its sanctions against Russia, adding 23 individuals and 13 companies from Russia and Iran to its sanctions list, and lowering the price cap on Russian oil to $44.10 per barrel, in line with the level previously set by the European Union.
Ukrainian National Guard drones take out Solntsepyok, three Pion guns behind Russian lines
Operators of the Lasar’s Group strike UAV unit of the National Guard of Ukraine struck 13 pieces of enemy equipment during a special operation behind Russian lines in the Luhansk region, including a TOS-1A Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower system and three Pion self-propelled artillery systems.
Russians launch missile strike on Kharkiv
Russian forces have carried out a missile strike on Kharkiv’s Slobidskyi district.
Slovakia extends temporary protection for Ukrainians until 2027
Slovakia has automatically extended temporary protection for people who fled Ukraine due to Russia's full-scale war until March 4, 2027.
Russia recruited over 1,000 Kenyans to fight in Ukraine – Le Monde
Kenya's parliament has stated that Russia has recruited more than 1,000 Kenyan citizens to take part in the war against Ukraine, using tourist visa schemes and promises of high salaries.
FSB agent preparing assassination attempt on government official detained in Kirovohrad region
The Security Service of Ukraine detained a Russian agent who was preparing an assassination attempt on an official of one of the state institutions responsible for the defense training of the population in the Kirovohrad region.
Italy against Russian and Belarusian athletes carrying flags at Paralympics
The Italian government has opposed the International Paralympic Committee's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milano Cortina under their national flags.
19 February 2026
Nawrocki signs law introducing new rules for assistance to Ukrainian refugees
Polish President Karol Nawrocki on Thursday approved the termination of the 2022 special law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Poland after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Apartment building damaged during Russian offensive in spring 2022 restored in Bucha
Major repairs have been completed on apartment building No. 104b on Kyievo-Myrotska Street in Bucha, which was damaged during the temporary occupation of the community by Russian forces in the spring of 2022.
Ukraine, Austria agree to step up joint efforts to return Ukrainian children from Russia
Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk met in Vienna with President of the National Council of Austria Walter Rosenkranz to discuss intensifying efforts to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
Zelensky on peace talks: Further steps will be determined at Friday meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will hold a meeting on Friday with members of Ukraine's negotiating team following talks in Switzerland.
Trump extends sanctions against Russia over war in Ukraine for another year
U.S. President Donald Trump has invoked the procedure to extend U.S. sanctions against Russia for another year over its invasion of Ukraine.
Zelensky discusses impact of Russian attacks with UN High Commissioner for Refugees
During a meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the impact of Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy system and the need for assistance for Ukrainians.
Costa meets with wounded Ukrainian soldier at hospital in Oslo
President of the European Council Antonio Costa visited a hospital in Oslo where wounded Ukrainian servicemen are being treated, among others.
Zelenska: 684 children killed in Ukraine since start of full-scale war
First Lady Olena Zelenska took part online in special debates of the European Economic and Social Committee and spoke about the consequences of the war for Ukrainian children.
Russian attack on farm in Kharkiv region leaves 100 pigs killed
In the village of Dvorichnyi Kut in the Kharkiv region, about 100 pigs were killed as a result of a Russian attack on a farm.
Prokudin denies information about enemy's remote mining of Kherson-Mykolaiv highway
Head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Prokudin emphasized that there is currently no information about cases of remote mining by Russian forces on the Kherson–Mykolaiv highway.
Reporters Without Borders director comments on Ukraine's ranking in Press Freedom Index
Director General of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Thibaut Bruttin spoke about the factors that contributed to Ukraine's drop in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index.
RSF director urges accountability for spreaders of Russian propaganda
Thibaut Bruttin, director general of the international NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has called for the exposure and prosecution of accomplices of Russian propaganda.
War update: 98 clashes on front lines since midnight, Pokrovsk sector hottest
Ukrainian forces have engaged in 98 combat clashes with Russian invaders since the beginning of the day, with the heaviest activity on the Pokrovsk axis.
NBU's online store targeted by cyberattack, hackers may have accessed personal data
Attackers may have gained access to customers' personal data. However, no financial information was compromised.
Stefanchuk meets Sinirlioglu: We count on strong OSCE decisions ahead of Feb 24
Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk met with Feridun Sinirlioglu, Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), in Vienna to discuss Ukraine's recovery and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
Shmyhal discusses energy cooperation with international partners
First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal held a series of bilateral meetings with international partners during his working visit to France, where he is participating in the International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial Meeting.