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Historical Intelligence

Situation Report

Archived operational intelligence briefing

Report Time
2026-02-23 11:08:13Z
1 day ago
Previous (2026-02-23 10:38:10Z)

Situation Update (UTC)

Mon Feb 23 11:07:52 2026

Key updates since last sitrep

  • UAF Counter-Offensive Success (10:48, RBK-Ukraine, HIGH): Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi reported that Ukrainian Airborne Assault Forces (DSHV) and adjacent units have regained control of 400 sq. km and eight settlements in the Oleksandrivskyi direction since late January.
  • Deep Strike on Russian Energy Infrastructure (11:01, ASTRA, HIGH): A drone attack struck the "Kaleykino" NPS in Almetyevsk (Tatarstan, Russia) at approximately 03:50 AM, igniting two 50,000 m³ storage tanks; witnesses report ongoing explosions.
  • Intense Defense of Myrnohrad (11:04, 79th Air Assault Brigade, HIGH): The 79th Brigade reports defending against Russian "pincer" maneuvers and small-group tactics in Myrnohrad (Donetsk sector), noting Russian efforts to upgrade drone capabilities.
  • Active UAV Threat in Central Ukraine (11:05, UAF Air Force, HIGH): A Russian UAV (Shahed/Geran type) was detected in the Kryvyi Rih district (Dnipropetrovsk), moving on a south-western course.
  • Druzhba Pipeline Status Dispute (10:43, TASS, MEDIUM): Hungary reports that Russia has repaired the Druzhba pipeline; Hungarian FM Szijjarto claims Ukraine is blocking transit for political reasons (Note: uncorroborated by Ukrainian energy authorities).
  • Krasnohorivka Degradation (11:06, Butusov Plus, HIGH): Frontline reporting indicates the near-total destruction of Krasnohorivka, with only 50-80 residents remaining in a single habitable multi-story building.

Operational picture (by sector)

1. Northern Sector (Kharkiv/Luhansk):

  • Kinetic Status: Stable but high tension. Russian MoD claims tactical advances in the "Sever" (North) and "Zapad" (West) operational areas (10:50, UNCONFIRMED).
  • Weather: Kharkiv/Vovchansk is currently -2.1°C with 87% cloud cover; Luhansk/Svatove is -2.1°C with 86% cloud cover. Visibility is restricted by heavy overcast.

2. Eastern Sector (Donetsk/Pokrovsk):

  • Oleksandrivskyi Direction: UAF DSHV units have consolidated control over 400 sq. km and eight settlements since late January, marking a significant operational-level recovery of territory (10:48, Syrskyi).
  • Myrnohrad/Pokrovsk: Russian forces are attempting to encircle 79th Brigade positions using small-group infantry tactics. UAF units are prioritizing counter-drone operations (11:04).
  • Krasnohorivka: The settlement is assessed as largely untenable for civilian life following Russian assaults; combat is centered around the last remaining urban high-rise (11:06).
  • Weather: Pokrovsk is currently -0.3°C, 93% cloud cover, wind 1.8 m/s. Overcast conditions continue to degrade optical ISR.

3. Southern Sector (Zaporizhzhia/Kherson/Crimea):

  • Kinetic Status: UAF confirmed strikes on "important objects" in occupied Crimea and Donbas (11:06, Tsaplienko). Russian UAV activity noted moving toward the SW from Kryvyi Rih (11:05).
  • Weather: Orikhiv (3.3°C, 100% cloud) and Kherson (4.7°C, 94% cloud). Ground conditions remain soft; 80% probability of light rain (0.3mm) in Kherson will likely maintain high levels of mud, restricting off-road maneuver.

4. Rear Areas (Dnipropetrovsk/Russia):

  • Deep Strike: The strike on Almetyevsk (Tatarstan) represents a significant UAF reach (approx. 1,000+ km from the border), targeting high-capacity strategic fuel reserves (11:01).

Enemy analysis (threat assessment)

  • Tactical Adaptations: In the Myrnohrad sector, Russian forces are increasingly employing "pincer" movements with small, highly mobile infantry groups to bypass UAF strongpoints (11:04).
  • Information/Psychological Ops: Russian state media and pro-war channels are heavily saturated with "Defender of the Fatherland Day" content (Feb 23), emphasizing national unity and military-industrial progress to bolster domestic morale (10:46, 10:50).
  • Capabilities: Continued ability to launch lone UAVs into the Ukrainian rear (Kryvyi Rih) suggests persistent gaps in low-altitude air defense coverage or the use of complex flight paths (11:05).

Friendly activity (UAF)

  • Offensive Operations: The successful recapture of 400 sq. km in the Oleksandrivskyi direction indicates a high level of coordination between DSHV and supporting arms, likely exploiting gaps in Russian rotations.
  • Anti-Corruption Measures: NABU is investigating bribery allegations involving the Prosecutor General's office, indicating continued institutional oversight despite the operational tempo (10:44).
  • Strategic Communication: President Zelensky asserted that Ukraine now has high-fidelity awareness of military activities on Belarusian territory, aiming to deter future northern incursions (11:06).

Information environment / disinformation

  • Smear Campaigns: Pro-Russian channels are disseminating edited videos of President Zelensky to falsely claim he "admitted" to living in a bunker due to cowardice (10:52, Alex Parker Returns).
  • Hybrid Pressure: The Hungarian narrative regarding the Druzhba pipeline (10:43) serves to pressure Ukraine via EU energy security concerns.
  • Hybrid/External Narratives: Russian channels are amplifying reports of Polish border defense reforms and Mexican cartel violence to distract from frontline developments (10:41, 11:03).

Outlook (next 6-12h)

  • MLCOA (Most Likely Course of Action): Russian forces will maintain high-intensity small-group pressure in the Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk sectors to disrupt UAF logistics.
  • MDCOA (Most Dangerous Course of Action): A large-scale retaliatory missile/UAV strike on Ukrainian energy or C2 nodes in response to the Tatarstan oil depot strike.
  • Aviation/ISR: Low cloud cover across the entire contact line (86-100%) will continue to limit the effectiveness of high-altitude reconnaissance and TB2-class UAVs, favoring FPV and low-altitude tactical drones.

Intelligence gaps & collection requirements

  1. [BATTLE DAMAGE]: Identify the specific number of functional storage tanks remaining at the Almetyevsk NPS following the ongoing fire.
  2. [ORDER OF BATTLE]: Confirm which eight settlements were liberated in the Oleksandrivskyi direction to update the control-of-terrain map.
  3. [LOGISTICS]: Verify the status of the Druzhba pipeline transit within Ukrainian-controlled territory to counter Hungarian diplomatic claims.
Previous (2026-02-23 10:38:10Z)

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