Focus on the BIG picture.
Saturday, Feb 21, 2026

Ukraine Conflict Intensifies with Drone Strikes and Diplomatic Tensions

Ukraine Conflict Intensifies with Drone Strikes and Diplomatic Tensions

Ukrainian Forces Target Russian Oil Depot and Aircraft Plant; Trump Discusses Potential Sanctions on Russia
The conflict in Ukraine saw an escalation recently as Ukrainian military forces launched a series of drone strikes against strategic locations in Russia.

On Tuesday, the Ukrainian military claimed responsibility for attacks on an oil depot in the Voronezh region, near the town of Liski, and an aviation plant in Smolensk, both crucial for Russian military logistics.

Kyiv authorities reported that the strikes led to fuel fires and explosions at these sites.

Russian officials confirmed the events, noting that debris from downed drones caused roof fires in Smolensk.

In response, Russia's defense ministry stated they intercepted 55 Ukrainian drones overnight, primarily targeting regions bordering Ukraine.

Concurrently, Ukraine reported enduring an attack involving 131 Russian drones, decoys, and missiles aimed at their territory.

Amidst these developments, former U.S. President Donald Trump remarked on potential new sanctions against Russia.

Trump suggested that additional economic measures could be implemented if Russian President Vladimir Putin fails to engage in negotiations to halt the conflict.

While Trump provided no specifics on potential sanctions, he indicated ongoing communications with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and plans to speak with President Putin.

Trump also highlighted a recent conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, urging China to leverage its influence to end the conflict.

The Kremlin acknowledged discussions between President Putin and President Xi, which included mentions of Trump's involvement and the broader outlook for peace talks.

Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, emphasized the necessity of a strong international force—estimated at 200,000 troops—to ensure the enforcement of any peace deal in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy urged European nations to bolster their defense strategies independently of U.S. policy shifts under Trump's leadership.

In eastern Ukraine, the hostilities continue with over 200 civilians, including vulnerable groups, trapped in Chasiv Yar due to relentless Russian attacks that have disrupted humanitarian support.

Ukrainian forces retain control over certain positions, such as a former brick factory, despite Russian advances.

The Russian defense ministry announced capturing the settlement of Volkove in the Donetsk region.

Further north, a Russian drone assault in Kupiansk injured several Ukrainian individuals, according to local police reports.

Additionally, railway infrastructure in the southern part of the Donetsk region suffered damage from recent attacks, wounding railway staff.

These developments underscore the ongoing volatility of the Ukraine conflict, marked by military confrontations and complex international diplomatic efforts.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Majority of Americans Say Trump’s Deportation Effort Has Gone Too Far
Concerns Mount Over Potential Saudi Uranium Enrichment in Prospective US Nuclear Accord
UK Confirms Preferential U.S. Trading Terms Will Continue After Supreme Court Tariff Ruling
U.S. and U.K. to Hold Talks on Diego Garcia as Iran Objects to Potential Military Use
Justice Department Faces Strain as White House Intensifies Focus on Voter Integrity
Trump Executive Order on Glyphosate Sparks Sharp Backlash From MAHA Health Coalition
Bipartisan Governors Highlight Productive Dialogue Despite White House Meeting Rift
Washington State Gas Prices Climb Sharply to Become Among the Nation’s Highest
Washington Commanders Face Defensive Reckoning as Offseason Begins
Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Urges Dialogue and Shared Commitment Amid Internal Disagreements
Washington Marks George Washington’s Birthday With National Mall Commemorations
United Kingdom Denies U.S. Access to Military Base for Potential Iran Strike
UK Government Considers Law to Remove Prince Andrew from Royal Line of Succession
UK ‘Working Closely with US’ to Assess Impact of Supreme Court Tariff Ruling
Two teens arrested in France for alleged terror plot.
United States Signals Preference for Streamlined NATO Summit Format, Questions Expanded Indo-Pacific Participation
Australia Grants Alcoa Forest-Clearing Exemption Linked to U.S. Critical Minerals Partnership
US Supreme Court Voids Trump’s Emergency Tariff Plan, Reshaping Trade Power and Fiscal Risk
Trump’s Evolving Stance on UK Chagos Islands Deal Draws Renewed Scrutiny
UK Has Not Granted US Approval to Launch Iran Strikes from RAF Bases, Government Confirms
AI Pricing Pressure Mounts as Chinese Models Undercut US Rivals and Margin Risks Grow
Federal Reserve Acknowledges Unusual ‘Rate Check’ After White House Contact, Dollar Slides
High-Profile Guest List Fuels Speculation Ahead of White House State Dinner
Global Counsel, Advisory Firm Co-Founded by Lord Mandelson, Enters Administration After Client Exodus
White House Authorizes Expanded ICE Detentions for Refugee ‘Rescreening’ Effort
Trump-Allied Commission Fast-Tracks Approval of Controversial White House Ballroom Expansion
US Office of Personnel Management launches ‘Tech Force’ with tech leaders to train elite coders
London High Court dispute over Ricardo Salinas’s $400mn Elektra share-backed bitcoin loan
U.S. Bolsters Military Presence as President Trump Signals Readiness to Confront Iran
U.S. Posts Record Goods Trade Deficit Even as Trump’s Tariff Strategy Reshapes Supply Chains
Trump Administration Unveils Plan for New Global Health Body Following WHO Withdrawal
New Homeland Security Memo Details Expanded Refugee Detention for Additional Security Screening
Dean Philip Parker Meets Wisconsin Lawmakers in Washington to Advance Academic and Policy Partnerships
Tech Giants Build Parallel Power Networks to Sustain Explosive Growth of U.S. Data Centers
Qatar and Saudi Arabia Each Commit One Billion Dollars to President Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Initiative
Trump Reasserts Opposition to UK Chagos Islands Proposal, Urges Stronger Strategic Alignment
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis advocates for a ban on minors using social media.
Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash Accuses Prime Minister of Lying to Australians
Nine police forces in the UK investigate evidence from the Epstein Files regarding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Meanwhile in Time Square, NYC One of the most famous landmarks
Jensen Huang just told the story of how Elon Musk became NVIDIA’s very first customer for their powerful AI supercomputer
A Lunar New Year event in Taiwan briefly came to a halt after a temple official standing beside President Lai Ching‑te suddenly vomited, splashing Lai’s clothing
Jillian Michaels reveals Bill Gates’ $55 million investment in mRNA vaccines turned into over $1 billion.
Ex-Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrested
Former British Prince Andrew Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office
Four Chagos Islanders Establish Permanent Settlement on Atoll
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to Life in Prison for Abuse of Authority
Unitree Robotics founder Wang Xingxing showcases future robot deployment during Spring Festival Gala.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls for real name use on social media.
D.C. resident who lost her grandson to violence speaks at the White House: Thank God for this President...
×