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Russia offers U.S. access to oil and Arctic resources
According to the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, American oil companies previously engaged in "very successful business" in Russia. Due to sanctions, they have incurred losses of around $300 billion, reports The Moscow Times.
The Kremlin has proposed a deal to President Donald Trump’s administration involving access to Russian natural resources. Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, stated that Russia is interested in joint projects with Americans in the …
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EU approves 16th sanctions package against Russia: targeting banks, media, and 'shadow fleet'
EU nations have greenlit a new wave of sanctions against Russia amid its ongoing military invasion of Ukraine. This marks the 16th sanctions package, set to take effect on February 24, 2025, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine, according to Poland, the current holder of the EU Council presidency.
This latest round introduces more stringent measures: 13 additional Russian banks are set to be cut off from the SWIFT system. Furthermore, eight Russian …
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Ukraine-U.S. negotiations on $500 billion critical minerals deal in limbo amid U.S. Administration transition
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishina provided updates on discussions between Ukraine and the United States regarding critical mineral resources. During a briefing in Warsaw, Stefanishina explained that delays in formalizing an agreement with the U.S. are due to the ongoing transition of the U.S. presidential administration
Contrary to reports, Ukraine has not outright rejected the agreement proposed by new U.S. President Donald Trump. The negotiations are simply paused as both …
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Russian offensive fizzles near Pokrovsk as Ukrainian defense holds firm
Despite a year of preparations and redeployment of fresh troops, Russian efforts to isolate Pokrovsk have fallen short. The Russian troops failed to establish reliable flanks for encirclement, while Ukrainian defenses inflicted catastrophic losses. Military expert Alexander Kovalenko reports on the situation. Moscow's initial strategy to encircle Pokrovsk hinged on two critical goals: severing the Kurakhove salient and forming a resilient line of contact with sturdy flanks, yet neither …
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Russia's Khmeimim air base attacked by drones amid Syrian regime change
In a late-night assault stretching from Monday into Tuesday, drones targeted Russia’s Khmeimim Air Base. This attack has been reported by local Telegram channel Sabereen News and OSINT researcher SyrianOSINT.
According to a Russian war correspondent Oleg Blokhin, alarms went off at the Russian base around 2:30 AM local time.
"It was described as an 'assault by a ground enemy.' Pantsir systems immediately engaged. Gunfire and explosions were heard. By 3:30 AM, the intensity of shooting had …
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Ukrainian Forces strike key Russian military and energy infrastructure in Krasnodar region
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed successful precision strikes by Ukrainian Forces on fuel-energy and military infrastructure in Russia's Krasnodar region yesterday.
The Ukrainian Forces targeted the Ilsky Oil Refinery, which has an annual processing capacity of 6.6 million tons of oil. The facility experienced a major fire outbreak.
Additionally, two oil pumping stations, "Andreapol" and "Kropotkinskaya," were hit. The latter is the largest oil pumping station in the …
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Explosions rock Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker Seajewel at Italy's port of Savona
The Seajewel, a tanker under the Maltese flag known for transporting Russian oil to Europe evading sanctions, faced two powerful explosions while docked at the Port of Savona in northwest Italy. According to Newsweek, the blasts occurred during the vessel's unloading process, causing damage below the waterline. Remarkably, no crew members were harmed, and there have been no reports of oil leakage. The Seajewel has been identified as part of Russia's "shadow fleet," a term for vessels …
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Putin signals openness to talks with Zelensky
Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to engage in discussions with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. However, the legal aspects concerning Zelensky's legitimacy as Ukraine’s head of state are crucial, Peskov emphasized while addressing reporters on Tuesday, February 18. "Putin has repeatedly stated that he would be ready to negotiate with Zelensky if necessary. Nonetheless, the legal formalization of agreements requires serious …
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Drone strike on Russian pump station disrupts oil flow to Kazakhstan
A drone strike targeting the Kropotkinskaya oil pump station in Russia's Krasnodar region could trim the flow of Kazakh oil by up to 30%, according to Transneft statement. Experts fear the station's recovery will take between 1.5 to 2 months.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) revealed details about the assault, stating that the station was struck by seven drones packed with explosives and shrapnel. The attack has rendered Kropotkinskaya non-operational, shifting oil transport through the …
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Kellogg's visit to Ukraine: Russian media accuses Ukraine of ‘provocation’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the upcoming visit of Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, to Kyiv. Kellogg is expected to arrive on February 20. However, Russian media has already claimed that the potential visit of Kellogg to the frontlines will be a provocation by Kyiv, alleging that an "accidental shot or shelling" could derail negotiations between the U.S. and Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump’s special …