RUSSIAN DRONE ATTACKS ON KYIV AND OTHER REGIONS (REPORTED, RUSSIAN SOURCE):
- Rybar reports at least 50 Russian attack drones targeted Kyiv overnight, with damage to civilian objects due to Ukrainian air defense activity. Explosions were also reported in Cherkasy and Kirovohrad Oblasts.
- Assessment: This CONTRADICTS earlier reports of 19 Shahed drones shot down in Sumy Oblast and 4 elsewhere, indicating a MUCH LARGER-SCALE DRONE ATTACK than previously understood. The claim of damage due to Ukrainian air defense is a common Russian narrative to deflect blame. EXTREME PRIORITY to VERIFY the scale of the attack and the extent of damage.
RUSSIAN ADVANCES IN KURSK OBLAST (REPORTED, RUSSIAN SOURCE):
- Rybar reports that Russian forces, after securing Sverdlikovo, have advanced towards Sudzha, pushing Ukrainian forces out of several strongpoints. Fighting continues in Pohrebky, with Ukrainian reinforcements arriving and attempting counterattacks. Russian naval infantry is reportedly advancing on the western outskirts of Kurilovka.
- Assessment: This indicates CONTINUED RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS in KURSK OBLAST, with CONFIRMED ADVANCES towards SUDZHA. The fighting in POHREBKY and KURILOVKA suggests ONGOING, CONTESTED BATTLES. HIGH PRIORITY to VERIFY the extent of Russian gains and the current control of these settlements.
RUSSIAN ADVANCES ON THE WESTERN BANK OF THE OSKOL RIVER (REPORTED, RUSSIAN SOURCE):
- Rybar reports that Russian forces are expanding their success on the western bank of the Oskol River near Zapadnoye, Dvurechnaya, and Figolevka.
- Assessment: This indicates CONTINUED RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS in this area, potentially aiming to secure a larger bridgehead across the river. HIGH PRIORITY to VERIFY the extent of these advances.
RUSSIAN ADVANCES ON THE KONSTANTINOPOL DIRECTION (REPORTED, RUSSIAN SOURCE):
* Rybar reports Russian advances towards Konstantinovopol, with Ukrainian forces acknowledging Russian gains in Ulakly. A large "pocket" of Ukrainian-controlled territory is claimed to have been eliminated.
* WarGonzo echoes these claims, reporting Russian advances near Novoselka and tactical successes near Ulakly.
* Assessment: These reports, from multiple pro-Russian sources, STRONGLY SUGGEST SIGNIFICANT RUSSIAN ADVANCES in this area. The elimination of a "pocket" of Ukrainian territory, if confirmed, would be a MAJOR TACTICAL SUCCESS for Russian forces. EXTREME PRIORITY to VERIFY these claims and assess the current situation on the ground.
FIGHTING IN CHASOV YAR DIRECTION (REPORTED, RUSSIAN SOURCE):
- WarGonzo reports continued fighting in Chasov Yar, with Russian forces advancing on the flank near Stupochki.
- Assessment: This suggests ONGOING RUSSIAN EFFORTS to advance towards CHASOV YAR, a strategically important location. HIGH PRIORITY to MONITOR the situation and assess the potential for a breakthrough.
UKRAINIAN STRIKES IN BELGOROD AND DONETSK OBLASTS (REPORTED, RUSSIAN SOURCE):
- Rybar reports Ukrainian strikes in Belgorod and Donetsk Oblasts:
* In Shebekino (Belgorod), a Ukrainian FPV drone struck a private house.
* In Tserkovny (Belgorod), a drone detonated on the territory of an agricultural enterprise.
* In Mokraya Orlovka (Belgorod), a drone explosion damaged a private house.
* In Horlivka (Donetsk), three civilians were wounded by Ukrainian artillery strikes.
* In Nikolskoye (Donetsk), a woman was injured by a previously unexploded cluster submunition.
- Assessment: These reports confirm CONTINUED UKRAINIAN STRIKES inside RUSSIAN-CONTROLLED TERRITORY, including BELGOROD OBLAST. The use of FPV drones indicates a CONTINUED EFFORT to target infrastructure and potentially disrupt Russian operations.
UKRAINIAN STRIKE ON "POST OFFICE" IN VASILIVKA (REPORTED, RUSSIAN SOURCE):
- Rybar states that Ukrainian forces struck a "Post Office" with cluster munitions in Vasilivka.
- Assessment: Requires investigation, to confirm the building was used by civilians.
AN-24 AIRCRAFT INCIDENT IN YAKUTIA (CONFIRMED, RUSSIAN SOURCE):
- TASS reports that an An-24 aircraft on a flight from Olekminsk to Yakutsk cannot land due to a chassis malfunction. Emergency services are responding.
- Assessment: This is NOT DIRECTLY RELATED to the military situation in Ukraine, but highlights potential logistical challenges within Russia. LOW PRIORITY.
UKRAINIAN GENERAL STAFF REPORT ON NAVAL ACTIVITY (CONFIRMED, UKRAINIAN SOURCE):
- The Ukrainian General Staff reports the following naval activity as of 06:00 on February 18, 2025:
- Black Sea: 1 Russian warship, carrying up to 4 Kalibr missiles.
- Azov Sea: No Russian warships.
- Mediterranean Sea: 4 Russian warships, 3 carrying up to 26 Kalibr missiles.
- Reports Russian violations of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) by switching off automatic identification systems.
- Assessment: This confirms a CONTINUED RUSSIAN NAVAL PRESENCE in the BLACK SEA and MEDITERRANEAN SEA, posing a POTENTIAL THREAT of missile strikes. The concentration of Kalibr missiles in the MEDITERRANEAN is NOTABLE. The reported SOLAS violations are a recurring issue.
RUSSIAN ATTEMPTS TO MAINTAIN MILITARY PRESENCE IN SYRIA (REPORTED, UKRAINIAN SOURCE):
- RBC-Ukraine, citing Bloomberg, reports that Russia is seeking to maintain a limited military presence in Syria, attempting to counter the resurgence of ISIS. The report notes that Russian involvement in the anti-ISIS campaign has been ineffective.
- Assessment: This is NOT DIRECTLY RELATED to the military situation in Ukraine, but highlights Russia's broader geopolitical interests and potential resource constraints. LOW PRIORITY.
DRONE STRIKE ON APARTMENT BUILDING IN DOLINSKAYA, KIROVOHRAD OBLAST (CONFIRMED, MULTIPLE SOURCES):
- ASTRA, Operativnyi ZSU, and RBC-Ukraine report that a Russian drone struck an apartment building in Dolinskaya, Kirovohrad Oblast, injuring a woman and her two children. Residents of 38 apartments were evacuated.
- Assessment: This confirms a RUSSIAN DRONE STRIKE on a CIVILIAN TARGET, resulting in CIVILIAN CASUALTIES. This is a SERIOUS INCIDENT and highlights the INDISCRIMINATE NATURE of the Russian drone campaign. EXTREME PRIORITY to DOCUMENT the incident and PROVIDE SUPPORT to the affected civilians.
RUSSIAN AIR DEFENSE CLAIMS (CONFIRMED, RUSSIAN SOURCE):
- Dnevnik Desantnika reiterates the Russian Ministry of Defense claim of intercepting and destroying five Ukrainian UAVs overnight: 4 over Voronezh Oblast and 1 over Belgorod Oblast.
- Assessment: This REINFORCES previous reports, but DOES NOT RESOLVE the discrepancy with Ukrainian reports on the number and type of drones shot down.
UKRAINIAN SPECIAL FORCES DRONE STRIKES (REPORTED, UKRAINIAN SOURCE):
- DeepState reports that FPV drones of the 23rd Separate Mechanized Brigade are destroying Russian personnel, equipment, and shelters south of Rozlyv.
* Assessment: Likely propaganda, requires corroboration.
T-90MS TANK AT IDEX 2025 (REPORTED, RUSSIAN SOURCE):
- Colonelcassad reports that the T-90MS "Proryv" tank is being presented at IDEX 2025, highlighting improvements based on combat experience, including new armor-piercing, high-explosive fragmentation shells with remote detonation, and guided missiles.
- Assessment: This is aimed at boosting sales and international interest.
ZAPORIZHZHIA OBLAST SHELLING (CONFIRMED, UKRAINIAN SOURCE):
- The Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration reports 398 Russian strikes on 9 settlements in the region over the past 24 hours, including airstrikes, drone attacks, MLRS shelling, and artillery fire. 29 reports of damage to apartments and private houses were received, with no civilian casualties reported.
- Assessment: This confirms CONTINUED, INTENSE RUSSIAN SHELLING in ZAPORIZHZHIA OBLAST, targeting CIVILIAN INFRASTRUCTURE. The high number of drone attacks (230) is NOTABLE.
WARGONZO FRONTLINE SUMMARY (REPORTED, RUSSIAN SOURCE):
- WarGonzo provides a frontline summary:
- Zaporizhzhia Front: No significant changes, positional battles with long-range weapons.
- Donetsk Front: Russian advances near Novoselka, continued offensive towards Konstantinovopol, tactical successes near Ulakly, heavy fighting in the Pokrovsk direction.
- Chasov Yar Direction: Fighting in Chasov Yar, Russian advances near Stupochki.
- Kursk Oblast: Russian pressure on Ukrainian defenses, Ukrainian counterattacks, ongoing clearing in Sverdlikovo, active use of long-range weapons.
- Assessment: This summary REINFORCES previous reports of RUSSIAN ADVANCES in several areas, particularly on the DONETSK FRONT and in KURSK OBLAST. The emphasis on long-range weapons suggests a CONTINUED FOCUS on attrition.
