Sunday, February 9
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Ukrainian soldiers of Karpatska Sich prepare a drone in a basement in the direction of Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast, on Feb. 7, 2025. (Diego Herrera Carcedo / Anadolu via Getty Images)
Security guarantees for Ukraine ‘main issue’ in talks with Trump, Zelensky says. “It is very important, otherwise it will look like a dialogue about Ukraine without Ukraine,” Zelensky told Reuters. “It is still important for partners to discuss their issues first, and then have a conversation with the enemy.”
Ukraine says it downed Russian Su-25 warplane in Donetsk Oblast. “One more Russian attack aircraft has been lost in the Toretsk direction thanks to our air defense troops,” the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade said on Telegram.
Syrskyi marks first year in office by highlighting key achievements, including strikes on 377 military targets in Russia. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi highlighted key military achievements during his first year in office, including long-range strikes, technological advancements, and NATO-standard training, in a Facebook post on Feb. 8.
Military to introduce ‘special contracts’ to motivate younger volunteer fighters, Zelensky says. Such contracts will have many benefits, including “a very high monetary provision,” according to the president. He said the details of such contracts would be made public in the coming days.
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NATO military chair visits Ukraine, discusses continued support with Zelensky. President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Military Committee Chair Giuseppe Cavo Dragone discussed enhancing coordination of military aid under the Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine framework, a command plan focused on allocating and managing military support.
Air Force reports shooting down 67 Russian drones overnight. The drone attack targeted Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Odesa oblasts, the Air Force said on Telegram.
Russia claims 36 Ukrainian drones downed, oil refinery attacked. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that 36 Ukrainian drones had been shot down by air defense. These include 18 drones over Rostov Oblast, 11 over Volgograd Oblast, five over Belgorod Oblast, and two over Krasnodar Krai.
North Korea to start drone production in collaboration with Russia, media reports. North Korea is expected to begin drone production this year with Russian technical assistance, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported on Feb. 8, citing undisclosed sources.
A night with Ukraine’s Vampire drone team near Kurakhove
International response
UK announces $31 million social recovery aid package for Ukraine. The UK is allocating 25 million pounds ($31 million) to launch a social recovery initiative in Ukraine called the SPIRIT program, the British government announced on Feb. 8.
Scholz says talk of German peacekeepers in Ukraine ‘premature and inappropriate.’ He told the German newspaper RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) that “first there needs to be an end to the conflict and real negotiations,” and only then it would be possible to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.
ICC prosecutor who oversaw arrest order for Putin over Ukrainian children deportation included in Trump’s nonpublic sanction list, Reuters reports. British national Khan is the first to be targeted under the sanctions authorized by newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump that “target the war crimes tribunal over investigations of U.S. citizens or U.S. allies,” Reuters reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
In other news
Ukraine sending Ziferblat to 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. The band Ziferblat was selected to represent Ukraine at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest following their victory at the national selection process on Feb. 8.
Team Ukraine to compete in 2025 Invictus Games with largest-ever delegation. Ukraine will face Colombia in the Group C Preliminary Round of wheelchair basketball, the first sport of the competition.
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