Key updates on the Russia-Ukraine conflict: Day 1,082

On Monday, February 10, the situation in Ukraine remained tense as fighting continued across several regions. Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported the destruction of 35 Ukrainian drones, with a majority of them intercepted over Russia's Kursk region, which borders Ukraine. In response, Ukraine’s military downed 70 of the 151 Russian drones launched overnight, with 74 others failing to reach their intended targets. Kyiv's Mayor confirmed a drone strike on the capital, which caused a fire at a non-residential building, though no injuries were reported.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new offensive in Kursk, asserting that North Korean forces were assisting Russian troops there. He claimed a significant number of enemy soldiers were killed, indicating possible casualties in the hundreds. Additionally, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed the capture of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, a village in eastern Ukraine near the strategic town of Chasiv Yar, which is reportedly a key military target for Moscow.

In the political realm, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized a proposal by US President Donald Trump, demanding Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for US aid, calling it selfish and self-interested. Scholz emphasized that nations offering help should do so without seeking compensation. President Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine would not offer its valuable resources for free, instead urging international partners to invest in the country’s mineral sector.

Zelenskyy also accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of seeking to prolong the conflict rather than pursue ceasefire talks, citing intelligence suggesting expanded cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Meanwhile, Trump claimed to have spoken with Putin about ending the war, although details of their conversation were not disclosed.

In diplomatic exchanges, Russia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that Russia was waiting for “appropriate signals” from Washington and was open to talks with the US on Ukraine, emphasizing equal footing. In another development, the Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia achieved energy independence by disconnecting from Russia’s power grid and joining the European network, with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda celebrating the milestone.