Mirage 2000 fighter jets from France have arrived in Ukraine, coinciding with reports of over 900 Russian soldiers being captured during the Kursk offensive. Russia seeks clarification on Trump’s Ukraine strategy, while a Russian man faces 17 years for alleged treason. Slovakia has shifted to receiving gas from Turkey, and Ukraine has launched a new offensive near Kursk. Additionally, discussions of a potential Putin-Trump meeting and casualties from a Ukrainian drone strike in Belgorod have emerged.
Arrival of Mirage 2000 Fighter Jets in Ukraine
The first batch of Mirage 2000 fighter jets from France has officially landed in Ukraine. According to Ukrainian officials, over 900 Russian soldiers have been taken captive since the launch of the Kursk offensive. For ongoing updates, check out our live blog.
Russia Seeks Clarity on Trump’s Ukraine Strategy
The Russian Foreign Ministry is calling on the United States to provide more information regarding President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia would assess its position based on the details of the American strategy. Both Trump and his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, have indicated they are developing a concept, but specifics remain undisclosed.
Severe Sentencing for Alleged Treason
A resident from the Bryansk region of Russia has been sentenced to 17 years in a penal colony for purportedly committing ‘high treason’ in favor of Ukraine. Prosecutors claim the 52-year-old monitored the movements of Russian armed forces and shared this intelligence with Ukraine. The individual, hailing from Klinzi, located approximately 45 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, faces strict prison conditions and has also been fined 20,000 rubles (around 200 euros). The accusations span from March 2022 to August 2023, and he had previously been convicted for arms trafficking.
Slovakia Transitions to Turkish Gas Supply
With the cessation of gas supplies via Ukraine, Slovakia has begun receiving Russian natural gas through Turkey. The Slovak gas network operator SPP confirmed that since February 1, the nation has been utilizing the Turkstream pipeline for its gas supply, with expectations for the volume to double by April. Gazprom, the Russian gas company, has reportedly ‘partially renewed’ its supply for SPP, according to a company representative.
New Ukrainian Offensive Reported in Kursk
Ukrainian forces are said to have initiated a second offensive in the Kursk border area this year, as per reports from Russian sources. The Russian Telegram channel Shot indicated that Ukrainian troops are attempting to advance from the occupied town of Sudscha through Machnowka towards Ulanok. The Ukrainian army has deployed armored vehicles and around 400 soldiers for this operation.
Potential Meeting Between Putin and Trump
Russian sources suggest that a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump could take place in February or March. Leonid Sluzky, chairman of the Duma’s international relations committee, mentioned that preparations for this summit are progressing well, according to the state news agency RIA.
Merz Sets Conditions for Talks with Putin
Union chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has outlined specific conditions for a conversation with President Vladimir Putin, stating he would only engage if there is a tangible opportunity for a peace resolution. Merz criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his recent phone call with Putin, labeling it as ‘well staged.’
Casualties in Belgorod Region
Reports indicate that three individuals lost their lives due to a Ukrainian drone strike in the Belgorod region of Russia. The drone dropped a grenade that struck a civilian vehicle, as detailed by Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Telegram.
Update on Prisoner Captures in Kursk
Ukraine claims to have captured a total of 909 Russian soldiers since the commencement of its offensive in the Kursk border area. The Ukrainian army reported that numerous Ukrainian defenders held in Russian custody have successfully returned home through prisoner exchanges, highlighting one of the few areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Stay updated on the latest developments in the Ukraine conflict through our live blog.