Summary of the Day:
Russian forces struck a dormitory in Sudzha, Kursk Oblast on February 1, killing four and wounding four others. The facility, a former boarding school, housed 84 Russian civilians and four Ukrainian police officers who were preparing to evacuate. While Ukrainian President Zelensky attributed the guided glide bomb strike to Russian forces, Russian officials and media claimed Ukraine was responsible for the attack.
Russian forces advanced across multiple fronts, gaining ground near Lyman, Siversk, Chasiv Yar, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka, while Ukrainian forces made progress near Toretsk. The ongoing offensive operations continue to reshape territorial control in these contested areas.
In occupied territories, Russia intensified its illegal deportation of Ukrainian children, with at least 20,000 children transferred since 2022. Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Daria Herasymchuk reported that Russia operates at least 13 “rehabilitation” camps in occupied Crimea alone, where children are indoctrinated before being sent to Russia. Ukraine has managed to repatriate 1,189 children with international support. Additionally, Russian forces continue to violate the Geneva Convention by forcibly mobilizing Ukrainian civilians into their military ranks.
Picture of the Day:
Rescuers conduct search and rescue operation at a residential building damaged by Russian shelling in Poltava, Ukraine. (Bohdan Kazyrid / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA: PBC” / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Beyond Ukraine – The March Towards World War
EU leaders are gathering in Brussels on February 3 to discuss defense strategy and U.S. trade relations. The meeting, framed as a retreat by European Council President Antonio Costa, will include NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and British PM Keir Starmer. Key topics include Trump’s recent tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China, with concerns about potential European targets, and his demands for increased NATO defense spending to 5% of GDP. The talks will also address Trump’s call for Denmark to surrender Greenland. While EU defense spending rose 30% to 326 billion euros following Russia’s Ukraine invasion, members remain divided on joint borrowing for further military funding, with France supporting the initiative and Germany opposing it.
Georgia’s political tensions escalated as police arrested opposition leaders Gigi Ugulava (former Tbilisi Mayor) and Nika Melia during protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party near Tbilisi Mall. The arrests occurred as thousands attempted to block a major highway, now classified as a strategic object under recent legislation. These protests follow disputed October elections won by the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party and Prime Minister Kobakhidze’s announcement delaying EU integration until 2028. The situation threatens regional stability, as Georgia’s drift toward Russian influence and away from EU integration could shift the balance of power in the Caucasus region. The government’s harsh response to protesters and controversial foreign agents law has already damaged relations with the EU, potentially impacting peace and democratic development in the region.
The Path to Peace
U.S. President Trump has revealed his administration is engaging in discussions with Russian officials about ending the Ukraine war, though specific participants weren’t identified. While Russian President Putin praised Trump and suggested the war could have been avoided under his presidency, Trump has threatened Russia with high tariffs and sanctions if they don’t reach a peace deal. Trump’s special envoy Keith Kellogg suggested both nations would need to make concessions, claiming Zelensky would “soften his position on land” despite Zelensky’s firm stance against ceding any of the 20% of Ukrainian territory under Russian occupation.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has warned against any talks excluding Ukraine, calling for a direct meeting with Trump before broader negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, the U.S., and European Union. He emphasized that security guarantees would be essential to prevent future Russian aggression and maintained that NATO membership remains Ukraine’s priority. Zelensky confirmed discussions with French President Macron about potentially deploying European forces to Ukraine. NATO Chief Mark Rutte revealed undisclosed plans for future Ukraine-Russia peace talks aimed at deterring Russian aggression, while emphasizing NATO’s current priority is supporting Ukraine with weapons and training. Rutte noted that although Russia is advancing in the Donbas region, they’re suffering heavy casualties of 1,000-1,500 personnel daily. The situation remains uncertain, particularly regarding future U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
A Russian military blogger criticized Russian command failures in the 20th Combined Arms Army, particularly regarding premature claims of capturing Novoyehorivka. The blogger reported that one company in the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division was down to just 30 soldiers and lacked ammunition, while the division’s 252nd Motorized Rifle Regiment suffered heavy losses in what were described as “stupid” assaults. The blogger also noted that Russian military leadership delayed addressing systemic problems following Ukraine’s August 2024 incursion into Kursk Oblast.
Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation – Initiative Russia
Russian forces launched attacks in Ukraine’s Kursk Oblast targeting several settlements including Kositsa, Kurilovka, Plekhovo, Guyevo, and Sverdlikovo near the city of Sudzha. Russian military units failed to make any confirmed territorial gains. Russian Vice-Governor Sergei Yefremov, commander of the Tiger military unit, was killed when his vehicle hit a mine in Kursk Oblast.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
No Russian or Ukrainian military activity was reported along the Kharkiv front.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Kupyansk
Russian forces attacked multiple settlements near Kupyansk including areas near Topoli, Dvorichna, Petropavlivka, Pishchane, Hlushkivka, and Stepova Novoselivka, but made no confirmed advances. After losing vehicles in previous mechanized assaults, Russian forces switched to using infantry, ATVs, and cars in their attacks.
Borova
Russian forces made advances west of Makiivka in the Borova area, confirmed by video evidence. They also conducted attacks on several nearby settlements including Zahryzove, Lozova, Novoyehorivka, and Novomykhailivka.
Lyman
Russian forces attacked several settlements northeast of Lyman, including Kolodyazi, Terny, Yampolivka, and Torske, but failed to advance. Ukrainian forces reported destroying two Russian armored personnel carriers during an attack near Yampolivka.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
Russian forces achieved advances near Siversk with confirmed progress southeast and north of Hryhorivka. They continued attacks on multiple settlements in the area, including Serebryanka, Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamyanske, and Ivano-Darivka. During a mechanized assault near Verkhnokamyanske, Ukrainian forces destroyed two Russian armored fighting vehicles and a buggy.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces attacked Chasiv Yar and nearby settlements of Stupochky and Bila Hora. Ukrainian military maps confirmed Russian advances south of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, northeast of Chasiv Yar.
Toretsk
Ukrainian forces advanced in southern Shcherbynivka near Toretsk, while Russian forces attacked Toretsk itself and nearby Krymske. A Ukrainian officer reported that Russian forces typically conduct mechanized assaults once or twice weekly, using a mix of armored vehicles at one location while simultaneously attacking nearby areas with buggies and motorcycles.
Pokrovsk
Russian forces advanced along the Donetska railway line near Kotlyne and reportedly attacked multiple settlements in the Pokrovsk area. Their offensive operations targeted numerous locations including Vodyane Druhe, Baranivka, Berezivka, Nadiivka, Sribne, and Preobrazhenka. Russian forces also conducted attacks on settlements east of Pokrovsk (Zelene Pole, Tarasivka, Myrolyubivka, Promin) and southwest of Pokrovsk (Kotlyarivka, Yelyzavetivka, Zvirove, Udachne, Uspenivka, Novooleksandrivka).
Andriivka
Russian forces attacked several settlements near Kurakhove but made no confirmed advances. They conducted operations at Dachne, Andriivka, Ulakly, Kostiantynopil, Oleksiivka, Zelenivka, and Rozdolne. While Russian sources claimed control of central Dachne and one-third of Andriivka, evidence suggests they control less than one percent of Andriivka.
Velyka Novosilka
Russian forces advanced near Velyka Novosilka with Ukrainian military maps confirming Russian progress west of Rivnopil, in southern Novodarivka, and south of Novosilka. Russian forces continued attacks on Novopil and Novosilka.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
No Russian or Ukrainian military activity was reported in the Polohy direction.
Russian forces attacked near the settlements of Shcherbaky and Nesteryanka in the Zaporizhia region but failed to make any advances. Russian airborne troops in the area are reportedly salvaging parts from captured Ukrainian drones to use in their own operations.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces conducted limited attacks along the Dnipro River but did not gain any territory.
Ukraine News
Russia launched 55 Shahed drones from multiple sites, with Ukrainian forces intercepting 40 across several regions and disabling 13 through electronic warfare, though some drones successfully struck targets in Kharkiv City, damaging a production facility and warehouse, and hit infrastructure in Sumy Oblast. President Zelensky reported that between January 24 and February 2, Russia launched approximately 50 missiles, 660 drones, and 760 guided bombs against Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia’s ability to conduct these attacks relies on foreign-made components obtained through sanctions evasion, with parts coming from European countries, China, and America, as he called for stricter enforcement of sanctions and accountability for those who help supply Russia with military components.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has rejected Vladimir Putin’s claims about President Zelensky’s legitimacy as “absurd.” Responding to Putin’s statement that Zelensky has no right to sign peace negotiation documents, Sybiha pointed out that Ukraine has seen three democratic presidential transitions during Putin’s 25-year rule. He criticized Putin for undermining Russia’s constitution, suppressing opposition and media, and conducting sham elections to maintain power longer than Stalin, stating that Putin’s claims are meant to mislead international audiences.
Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has strongly opposed holding elections in Ukraine during wartime, despite calls from Trump’s special envoy Keith Kellogg for new elections as a condition for peace talks with Russia. Poroshenko warned that elections would destroy national unity and benefit Putin, who claims Zelensky is “illegitimate” and refuses to negotiate with him. While Ukraine’s normal election cycle would have ended in 2024, martial law currently prevents both presidential and parliamentary elections from being held.
President Zelensky has backed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in the conflict with the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA), stating that the minister has the right to take necessary actions to prevent supply interruptions to the military. The dispute emerged after Umerov suspended DPA head Maryna Bezrukova and appointed Arsen Zhumadilov as acting head, citing issues with delivery failures and poor procurement planning. The decision has faced criticism from the Anti-Corruption Action Center, which claims the Defense Ministry overstepped its authority, as only supervisory boards can legally dismiss state enterprise heads.
An explosion at a military recruitment center in Rivne, western Ukraine, killed one person and injured six others. Police have not revealed the cause of the explosion.
Innocent Victims Of War
The casualty count of civilians in the past 24 hours: (Russian War Crimes)
DEATHS: 3 INJURIES: 5
A Russian missile attack on a residential building in Poltava, Ukraine on February 1 killed 14 people, including two children, and injured 17 others – an increase of two deaths from yesterday’s count as more bodies were recovered from the debris. The strike destroyed part of the five-story building and damaged nearby structures. Rescue teams have saved 22 people, with emergency operations continuing as over 400 municipal workers respond to the disaster.
An 18-year-old resident of Sumy, Denys Zhurba, died from injuries sustained in a Russian drone attack on January 30. The strike, which hit a multistory building, was part of a larger assault involving 81 drones. Despite his classmates raising funds for his medical treatment, Zhurba did not survive. His father was also wounded in the attack and remains hospitalized.
A Russian drone strike on a minibus in Kherson Oblast injured five people, including a 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl. Three adult women were also hurt. All victims suffered concussions and are receiving medical treatment.
Life in Russian Occupied Ukraine
Russia has illegally deported at least 20,000 Ukrainian children since 2022 according to Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Daria Herasymchuk. The children are being sent to “rehabilitation” or “evacuation” camps in occupied Crimea and Russia, with 13 such camps identified in Crimea alone. While Ukraine has managed to repatriate 1,189 children with international help, Russian authorities continue to separate children from their families, indoctrinate them, and in some cases, attempt to mobilize Ukrainian teenage boys into the Russian military. The UN Genocide Convention classifies such forced transfer of children as an act of genocide.
Russian forces illegally forced around 300 Ukrainian civilians from occupied Kherson and Zaporizhia regions into the Russian military between October and December 2024, according to Ukraine’s Military Intelligence. Thirty of these civilians were sent to serve in occupied Crimea. The civilians reportedly face abuse and poor conditions, and these forced mobilizations violate Article 51 of the Geneva Convention, which prohibits occupying powers from compelling occupied populations to serve in their military.
A 29-year-old woman in Russian-occupied Sevastopol was fined $500 under Russia’s new law banning “childfree propaganda,” marking the first case under legislation signed by Putin in November. The fine was imposed for social media posts, including a Quentin Tarantino meme about choosing not to have children. This law comes as Russia faces a severe demographic crisis, with fertility rates dropping from 1.79 in 2015 to 1.46 in 2024. The situation is further complicated by significant military losses in Ukraine, with nearly 89,000 Russian soldiers killed and over 840,000 injured or killed since 2022. Experts warn these factors could halve Russia’s population by century’s end, threatening the country’s long-term viability regardless of the war’s outcome.
Russia News
Russian forces reportedly struck a dormitory in Sudzha, Kursk Oblast on February 1, hitting a former boarding school that housed 84 Russian civilians and four Ukrainian police officers, resulting in four deaths and four injuries from a guided glide bomb strike. While Ukrainian authorities, including President Zelensky, attributed the attack to Russian forces and Ukraine’s Air Force provided evidence showing the strike was carried out by Russian tactical aviation, Russian officials and media claimed Ukraine was responsible and launched a terrorism probe, asserting Ukraine conducted a missile attack from Sumy Oblast. Zelensky condemned the attack on the civilian shelter, comparing it to Russia’s tactics during the 1990s Chechen wars, as Russia attempts to portray Ukraine as an aggressor while continuing its daily attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Russia allegedly evaded sanctions by channeling over $5 billion through U.S. banks JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup to Turkey in 2022, using the Akkuyu nuclear power plant project as cover. While U.S. authorities froze $2 billion, the Biden administration halted legal action in 2024 to preserve diplomatic relations with Turkey, a strategic NATO ally that has maintained trade with Russia while supplying weapons to Ukraine. The complex scheme, reportedly orchestrated by Moscow and involving Turkish officials, aimed to create an offshore dollar reserve for Russian state initiatives. This situation highlights growing tensions between maintaining international sanctions and preserving diplomatic relationships crucial for regional stability and global peace efforts.
Independent Russian media outlet Meduza and German PR agency Lure have apologized for using photos of Ukrainian war victims without permission in their promotional campaign. The campaign featured images from the funeral of Yaroslav Bazylevich’s family, who were killed by a Russian missile strike in Lviv on September 4. His wife Yevhenia (43) and three daughters – Emilia (7), Daryna (18), and Yaryna (21) – died while seeking shelter. After swift criticism from Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry and the public, both companies removed the campaign, which was intended to expand Meduza’s reach to English-speaking audiences. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemned the use of Ukrainian tragedy to generate sympathy for Russians.
Russian War Losses (Today/Total)
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that in January alone, Ukrainian forces neutralized approximately 15,000 Russian soldiers in the Pokrovsk direction of Donetsk Oblast, with about 7,000 killed. While Russian assault intensity is declining overall, they’ve concentrated 44% of their attacks in the Pokrovsk sector, a key Ukrainian logistics hub. According to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, total Russian casualties since 2022 have reached 841,660. Experts, including Georgetown University’s Harley Balzer, warn these losses are contributing to a demographic crisis that could significantly reduce Russia’s population by century’s end.
Troops +1300 841660 |
Tanks +12 9920 |
Artillery +51 22589 |
Arm. Veh. +18 20685 |
Aircraft  369 |
Heli 331 |
Ships 28 |
Russia Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
Russian forces have developed a new drone control system that can operate multiple drones simultaneously through a single remote control. The system, created by the Hermes Design Bureau, reportedly allows operation of unlimited drones on different frequencies to counter electronic warfare measures.
Russia’s Allies
President Zelensky warned of a dangerous new alliance between Russia, Iran, and North Korea that threatens global stability. The partnership has evolved from previous weapons and technology cooperation into active participation in the war against Ukraine, with Iran supplying weapons and North Korea providing both military equipment and troops. Zelensky emphasized that these nuclear-capable nations have merged their defense industries to increase weapons production. He specifically warned that North Korean troops gaining combat experience in Russia’s Kursk region could pose future threats to U.S. interests and regional stability. This formal alliance of these three nations marks a significant shift in global power dynamics and represents a direct challenge to Western security interests.
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com