Instagram begins labeling accounts of Russian state-controlled media, which promulgate propaganda and disinformation.

9:18 AM

Reported drone strike against Russian oil refinery in Samara Oblast causes fire.

Residents posted videos on social media purportedly showing a large blaze at the refinery. Sounds of explosions were reported at around 2:45 a.m. local time.

8:32 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 862,390 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,300 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

8:16 AM

Russian strike on Odesa injures 4, causes massive power outages.

A children's clinic, a kindergarten, high-rise buildings, and cars were damaged in the attack, according to Governor Oleh Kiper.

6:48 AM

Ukraine and Moldova sign cooperation memorandum on EU accession.

Ukraine and Moldova have signed a memorandum of cooperation to strengthen their efforts toward European Union integration and accession, Ukraine’s government press service reported.

5:10 AM

Russian Shahed drones more dangerous after modifications, military intelligence reports.

Significant modifications have been observed in the Shahed-136 drones that Russia mass produces, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) reported on Feb. 18.

3:17 AM

Macron rules out sending French combat troops to Ukraine's front line.

France will not send its soldiers to the frontline in Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron said in a television interview on Feb. 18.

2:13 AM

Canada wants to participate in talks on Ukraine's security guarantees, official says.

"We want to be part of conversations linked to more Canadians being involved in protecting Ukraine," Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on Feb. 18.

1:03 AM

Western intelligence shows Putin not ready for 'real peace,' NBC News reports.

Russian President Vladimir Putin still wants to occupy all of Ukraine and thinks he can outlast Ukraine and Europe in its armed aggression, unnamed intelligence officials said.

12:44 AM

Trump blames Ukraine for war while pressing Zelensky to hold elections.

Trump alleged without evidence that Zelensky holds a "4% approval rating" in Ukraine and blamed his leadership, not Putin's, for "allow(ing) the war to go on."

12:09 AM

Trump 'much more confident' in peace deal after 'very good' US-Russia talks.

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Feb. 18 that Russia was prepared to end the "barbarianism" in Ukraine.

11:48 PM

Smaller Western force could guarantee security in Ukraine, Guardian reports.

Such a force could number in the tens of thousands, or even fewer — a number far below President Zelensky's suggestion of 100,000 to 150,000 peacekeepers.

10:39 PM

Saudi Arabia wanted Ukraine represented at US-Russia talks, Bloomberg reports.

U.S. and Russian officials reportedly insisted to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that they wanted to hold the meeting without Ukrainians.

10:32 PM

Book reviews

Plokhy argues in Chornobyl occupation book that Russia’s nuclear blackmail is ‘warning for the future’

10:23 PM

Trump & Russia

US-Russia talks on Ukraine peace — why Putin will be ‘very happy’

10:10 PM

Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 13

9:58 PM

Ukraine war latest: Russia, US conclude Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia, Kremlin advisor calls them 'not bad'

9:49 PM

Ukraine summit in Paris exposes divisions, lack of coherent plan, experts say

9:33 PM

EU plans $6.2 billion military aid package for Ukraine ahead of US-Russia talks, Politico reports.

The package is expected to include 1.5 million artillery shells, air defense systems, and equipment for military brigades. According to Politico, the value of the aid could increase to 10 billion euros ($10.8 billion) depending on individual EU member states' contributions.

9:25 PM

‘Russians didn’t like him’ — Why Trump's envoy Kellogg was sidelined from Russia talks

8:41 PM

France to host second summit on Ukraine, European security, Reuters reports.

Paris has now invited additional European countries and Canada to join the upcoming meeting, either in person or via video link, according to Reuters

8:30 PM

Opinion

Trump is trading Ukraine’s future for a quick win

8:09 PM

EU must take Russia sanctions into 'its own hands,' commissioner says.

The European Union must take greater control of its sanctions policy against Russia as U.S. priorities shift, EU Economy and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said on Feb. 18.

6:59 PM

Turkey 'ideal host' for peace talks on Russia-Ukraine war, Erdogan says.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted Turkey's previous mediation efforts, including the Black Sea grain deal, which enabled Ukrainian agricultural exports until Russia withdrew in 2023.

6:15 PM

Russia's Lavrov denies 3-point peace plan, warns against Western peacekeepers in Ukraine.

The alleged plan, which reportedly includes a ceasefire, elections in Ukraine, and a final peace agreement, was revealed by Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich on X.

5:42 PM

Video

US-Russia talks is 'the last warning for Europe,' Gabrielius Landsbergis says.

The Kyiv Independent’s Martin Fornusek speaks with former Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, at the 2025 Munich Security Conference as U.S. officials undermine Ukraine’s NATO prospects and territorial integrity ahead of peace negotiations with Russia.