Ukraine war latest: 'Ukraine's defense forces have regained positions in Kupiansk'
This is Chris York reporting from Kyiv on day 1,441 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Today's top story so far:
Ukraine's Armed Forces have regained positions in the embattled city of Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukrainian open-source mapping project DeepState said on Feb. 3.
Russia has been trying to push across the front by launching heavy offensive operations on multiple axes, including in the Kupiansk sector, to recapture the city it lost to a 2022 Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Russian troops had attempted to close in on Kupiansk from the north and east, aiming to solidify their presence on the western side of the Oskil River.
On Nov. 20, Russia’s chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, said Russia had captured Kupiansk, a claim that Ukraine’s Armed Forces refuted, which was followed by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Dec. 12 recording a video from the city.
DeepState also reported Russian forces have advanced near the settlements of Udachne, Hryshyne, and Pryvillia in Donetsk Oblast.
Denmark, Sweden to help Kyiv 'develop an air defense battalion'
Last updated 4:34 p.m. Kyiv time.
Denmark and Sweden announced on Feb. 3 they will procure and supply Ukraine with additional air defense systems in the face of Russia's devastating winter bombing campaign.
Speaking jointly at a press conference, the countries' defense ministers said the military aid supplied will total $290 million and be spent on Tridon air defense systems developed by BAE Systems Bofors.
The Tridon is a self-propelled and remotely controlled 40 mm anti-aircraft artillery gun, which its manufacturer says can combat "drones and cruise missiles, to aircraft and armoured vehicles."
"This means that Ukraine can develop an air defense battalion if they so wish," Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said.
"The purchase doesn't just support Ukraine on the battlefield with more material, but also strengthens our production capacity in Sweden."
A shortage of air defense missiles has left some Ukrainian air defense systems empty at times amid the threat of further Russian attacks, Yurii Ihnat, head of the Air Force's communications department, said in an interview with RBC Ukraine published on Feb. 2.
With the onset of winter, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in an effort to plunge the country into a nationwide blackout. Meanwhile, Ukraine's air defense forces lack sufficient resources to intercept all Russian missiles and drones.
Ihnat said that Ukrainian authorities, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, have repeatedly stressed the shortage of missiles for air defense systems, noting that some of them are depleted and not ready to repel Russian attacks.
"Indeed, before one such attack, we were provided with the necessary means a day in advance," Ihnat said. "Ukrainian forces repelled that massive strike quite successfully, thanks to missiles for F-16s, NASAMS, IRIS-T, and Patriot."
"There were moments when there was a serious shortage of these missiles. I won't reveal any secrets. For example, there is a NASAMS system, but instead of six missiles in the launcher, there are only two."
Russian FPV drone training center hit, General Staff says
Last updated 2:20 p.m. Kyiv time.
A Russian first-person view (FPV) drone training center was among several targets hit by Ukrainian forces over the past day, the General Staff reported on Feb. 3.
"In the temporarily occupied territory of the Zaporizhia region, near the settlement of Komysh-Zorya, the enemy's pilot training and FPV drone production training center was hit" it said in a post on Telegram.
The General Staff also reported successful strikes on a TOS-1A Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower system, an electronic warfare station, and a "manpower concentration near the settlement of Terebreno, Belgorod region, Russia."
No further details were reported. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims.
In largest missile attack of winter, Russia targets Ukraine's power plants amid brutal freeze
Last updated 1:07 p.m. Kyiv time.
Russian forces launched a mass ballistic missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight on Feb. 3, the largest this winter and involving the highest number of missiles launched in a single attack this season.
The strikes came amid a larger attack on Ukrainian cities, including those located hundreds of kilometers from the front line, with dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones reported over Ukraine's night sky.
Russia's latest assault signals the end of a brief energy ceasefire, under which Moscow had agreed to temporarily pause strikes on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure. The resumed attacks on the capital come days after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Jan. 29 that he personally asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to refrain from attacking Kyiv.
The Kremlin previously said it would pause strikes on energy facilities, but only until Feb. 1.
Russian strike on Kharkiv injures 7
Seven people have been injured after a Russian strike on a "dense residential development," Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.
NATO chief confident allies will commit $15 billion in US arms for Ukraine in 2026
Last updated 3:21 p.m. Kyiv time.
NATO Secretary Mark Rutte said on Feb. 3 that he is confident the allies would allocate $15 billion this year under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL).
"I'm absolutely confident that the money will be there," Rutte said during a press conference alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv when asked about the figure requested by Ukraine.
Kyiv was set to receive around $4-$5 billion by the end of 2025 under the initiative, which allows NATO members to buy air defenses, ammunition, and other hardware for Ukraine from the U.S.
"I know that more is urgently needed," Rutte said, urging allies to "dig in their stockpiles to offer whatever they can to meet Ukraine's needs, particularly air defense."
The NATO chief underscored that two-thirds of NATO allies are now participating in the initiative. He also called for fairer burden-sharing while underscoring contributions from the Nordic nations, the Baltic countries, the Netherlands, Canada, and Germany.
Russian attack shows Moscow is not serious about peace, NATO chief says during Kyiv visit
Last updated 12:05 p.m. Kyiv time.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arrived in Kyiv on Feb. 3 as Russia launched a large-scale strike on Ukraine overnight.
The news comes as Ukraine and Russia prepare for another round of talks this week aimed at ending Russia's full-scale invasion. Representatives of Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia are set to meet in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 4-5.
Rutte and President Volodymyr Zelensky placed candles and paid tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers at a memorial on Maidan Nezalezhnosti, according to the President's Office.
Rutte also spoke at a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament.
"Direct talks are now underway, and this is important progress," he said at the Rada. "But Russian attacks, like those last night, do not signal seriousness about peace."
Rutte also said that strong security guarantees must be provided to Ukraine as part of a peace deal.
At least 4 killed, 32 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day
At least four people have been killed and 32 others injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day, local authorities said on Feb. 3.
Russia launched 71 missiles and 450 drones, including nearly 300 Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), at Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said.
Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 38 missiles and 412 drones. At least 27 missiles and 31 drones made it through, striking 27 locations. The fall of debris was recorded at 17 locations, with information on other aerial targets still being clarified.
Russian forces struck thermal power plants operated by DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, marking the ninth mass attack on its thermal facilities since October 2025. The attack caused significant damage to equipment, DTEK said.
Following the strikes, Kyiv introduced emergency power outages on the left bank of the Dnipro River in the city's eastern districts, according to the company.
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said Russia attacked eight regions overnight, launching drones and missiles at high-rise residential buildings as well as thermal power plants and combined heat and power facilities supplying Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro.
No casualties were reported in Odesa Oblast but Russian attacks left 50,000 residents without power, Governor Oleh Kiper reported.
At least five people were injured in the attack against Kyiv, the National Police said.
In Kharkiv Oblast, one person died and five others were injured, Governor Oleh Syniehubov wrote on Telegram.
One person was killed and three others injured in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Governor Ivan Fedorov said.
In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Russian strikes killed a 67-year-old man in the Synelnykove district and injured two others in the Nikopol district, Governor Oleksandr Hanzha said.
In Donetsk Oblast, one person was killed and another injured, local Governor Vadym Filaskin reported.
In Kherson Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported nine people were injured in Russian attacks.
In Sumy Oblast, four people were injured, Governor Oleh Hryhorov reported.
In Kyiv Oblast, three people suffered injuries due to the Feb. 3 mass strike on Ukraine, Governor Mykola Kalashnyk said.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,242,290 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost around 1,242,290 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Feb. 3
The number includes 760 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
According to the report, Russia has also lost 11,633 tanks, 23,985 armored fighting vehicles, 76,738 vehicles and fuel tanks, 36,855 artillery systems, 1,633 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,292 air defense systems, 435 airplanes, 347 helicopters, 122,388 drones, 28 ships and boats, and two submarines.
