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Updated 57m ago • Verified 58m ago
FRESH ANALYSISHIGH PRIORITYCONF ●●● (HIGH)
The third round of US-brokered Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Geneva concluded its first day with tense discussions on territorial issues including Donbas, set to resume on February 18 amid ongoing mutual strikes. Russian missile and drone attacks targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure, causing blackouts in Odesa, Kyiv, and Dnipro, while Ukrainian special operations forces destroyed an Iskander missile storage site in occupied Crimea and a chemicals plant in Perm.
📍 Geneva, Switzerland📍 Odesa, Ukraine📍 Crimea, Ukraine📍 Perm, Russia📍 Strait of Hormuz
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Delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the US met in Geneva for the opening session of the third round of talks, described as 'very tense' by sources, with Russia pressing maximalist demands and facing US pressure on Ukraine to concede on eastern territories; no breakthroughs reported. Overnight, Russian forces launched missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, severely damaging power networks in Odesa leaving tens of thousands without heat or water, and other cities like Kyiv and Dnipro. Ukrainian Special Operations Forces struck an Iskander missile depot in Pasichne, Crimea, and a Rubikon drone control center, while SBU hit a chemicals plant producing explosives in Perm, Russia.
Iran, Russia, and China deployed naval vessels for 'Maritime Security Belt 2026' joint exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, featuring live-fire drills by IRGC amid a US military buildup including two aircraft carriers, repositioned Patriot systems, and surges of F-35 fighters, tankers, and AWACS over the past 24 hours. These developments maintain high operational tempo in two key theaters, with strikes undermining diplomatic momentum in Ukraine and naval posturing risking miscalculation in the Gulf.
Talks are scheduled to resume February 18; intelligence gaps include exact units involved in strikes and full scope of US deployments. Monitor for escalation in Hormuz or intensified Russian offensives.