Australia to impose sanctions and travel ban on 16 more Russian ministers, oligarchs.

4:10 PM

Russia's Lavrov rules out territorial concessions as part of Ukraine peace talks.

Russia illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in 2014, as well as the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts in 2022.

4:07 PM

Film 'Rock, Scissors, Paper' about war in Ukraine wins BAFTA award.

The film "Rock, Paper, Scissors" won the Best British Short Film nomination at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) on Feb. 16.

3:13 PM

Zelensky to visit Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18, Reuters reports.

The Ukrainian president's visit coincides with the U.S.-Russia talks on ending the war in Ukraine, which will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

2:55 PM

Zelensky hopes Kellogg will visit front lines during trip to Ukraine.

In comments reported by Interfax-Ukraine, Zelensky said Kellogg will arrive in Kyiv on Feb. 20 and could stay for "two days and maybe more."

2:19 PM

KI Insights

Ukraine calendar: Events to look out for this week

1:30 PM

'Drone sanctions' — Ukraine strikes Ilsky Oil Refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, SBU source says.

Residents earlier posted videos on social media purportedly showing explosions at the refinery in the Seversky district of Krasnodar Krai.

1:23 PM

Russia's Lavrov to meet US delegation in Saudi Arabia for Ukraine peace talks, Kremlin says.

The U.S. delegation will be led by State Secretary Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

12:56 PM

Macron hosts summit of European powers to discuss plan for Ukraine's 'automatic NATO membership'.

The summit will be held on the same day a U.S. delegation arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for talks with Russian officials on ending the war in Ukraine.

12:44 PM

'23 invaders destroyed' — Ukraine's special forces release video of operation behind Russian lines.

Ukrainian troops reportedly held their positions for two days amid "intense fighting," during which 23 Russian soldiers were killed.

10:00 PM  (Updated:  February 17, 2025 11:46 am)

War analysis

A ‘very bloody war:' What is the death toll of Russia’s war in Ukraine?

10:14 AM

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 3, injure 8 over past day.

Russian forces launched 147 drones from the Russian cities of Orel, Bryansk, Kursk, Shatalovo, Millerovo, and Primosk-Akhtarsk at Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

9:41 AM

Over 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed since start of Russia's full-scale war, Zelensky says.

Nearly 380,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been injured since the start of the all-out war, President Volodymyr Zelensky told NBC.

8:14 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 859,920 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,530 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:09 AM

Ukraine will 'never accept' outcome of peace negotiations without Ukraine's participation, Zelensky says.

Ukraine will "never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia" regarding the outcome of peace negotiation without Ukraine's participation, President Volodymyr Zelensky told NBC News in an interview published Feb. 16.

6:12 AM

Fire reported at oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai following 'massive' drone attack.

A large fire reportedly erupted at the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight on Feb. 17, following large-scale Ukrainian drone attacks on the region, Russian Telegram media channels reported.

5:32 AM

Putin 'wants to stop fighting,' Trump says, dismisses Russia's territorial ambitions.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Feb. 16 that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin "wants to stop fighting" Russia's war in Ukraine, dismissing Moscow's territorial ambitions in the embattled country.

4:27 AM

US, Russian officials to meet on Feb. 18 in Saudi Arabia, Axios reports.

The delegation, led by State Secretary Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, is set to begin negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

2:35 AM

Trump confirms Zelensky will take part in Ukraine peace talks as US, Russia prepare Saudi meeting.

U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed that Zelensky would have a say in the process and mentioned the possibility of allowing European nations to purchase U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine.

1:38 AM

Starmer open to deploying British troops for Ukraine peacekeeping effort.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on Feb. 16. that he did not take lightly the idea of placing British servicemen and women in harm’s way. "But any role in helping to guarantee Ukraine’s security is helping to guarantee the security of our continent, and the security of this country," he added.

1:23 AM

Ukraine’s place in EU, NATO non-negotiable, Finnish president says.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Finnish President Alexander Stubb has emphasized that Ukraine’s membership in the European Union and NATO is non-negotiable, adding that these alliances are essential for ensuring the country’s sovereignty and security.

11:54 PM

Zelensky arrives in UAE, hints at humanitarian, economic cooperation.

Zelensky's arrival in the UAE kicks off a regional tour that includes official visits to Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

11:21 PM

'A colonial agreement' — former Ukrainian official slams US minerals deal, AP reports.

The U.S. delegates in Munich did not offer any security guarantees in exchange for Ukraine's rare earth minerals, current and former senior Ukrainian officials said.

10:35 PM

Trump wants ceasefire in Ukraine by Easter, Bloomberg reports.

The U.S administration has told European officials that it hopes to achieve a ceasefire agreement by Easter, which falls on April 20, sources told Bloomberg.

10:12 PM

Ukraine preparing for Zelensky to visit Saudi Arabia.

Delegations from Saudi Arabia and Ukraine met on Feb. 16 to discuss increased economic ties, ahead of a planned visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

9:12 PM

One year following Navalny's death, West, Navalnaya condemn Putin's Russia.

"Russia is increasingly waging an illegal war of aggression against Ukraine while continuing its domestic repression, persecuting those who advocate for democracy," EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said.