News
Drones attacked Crimea and rear facilities of the Russian Federation: explosions in Belbek, strikes by the Special Operations Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine, and fires in Mariupol and at a chemical plant.
On the night of 17 February, the temporarily occupied Crimea was subjected to a massive drone attack, while the Defence Forces continued to strike military and energy infrastructure belonging to the Russian Federation and the occupiers in the captured territories. There were reports of explosions at airfields, fires at Russian bases, and strikes on facilities that provide logistics and revenue for the Russian budget.
Western intelligence: Wagner network recruits Europeans for sabotage in NATO countries
Former recruiters and propagandists for Russia's Wagner Group have become one of the Kremlin's key tools for organising sabotage in Europe. Western intelligence agencies say this is a systematic campaign of sabotage aimed at undermining support for Ukraine and destabilising NATO societies.
The third round of negotiations between Ukraine, the United States and Russia has begun in Geneva: security, humanitarian issues and territories are being discussed.
On 17 February, the third round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia began in Geneva. The meetings are being held behind closed doors, and the parties are preparing to continue their work on 18 February.
"The man completely fails to understand the nature of the crime," social media users criticised the director of the BEB for his idea of pre-trial settlement of tax crimes.
Social media users criticised Oleksandr Tsyvinsky, director of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, who suggested commenting on his idea of pre-trial settlement of tax crimes. In particular, the head of the Economic Security Bureau was reminded of the mechanisms already existing in the legislation and accused of attempting to distract public attention from the bureau's low efficiency with yet another round of "talk."
The second round of negotiations between the US and Iran on the nuclear programme has begun in Geneva.
On 17 February, the second round of indirect talks between the US and Iran began in Geneva, mediated by Oman. The parties are discussing restrictions on Tehran's nuclear programme and the possible lifting of US sanctions amid growing military tensions in the Middle East.
Germany has provided Ukraine with €94 billion in support since the start of the full-scale war.
The German government has stated that it considers a strong, democratic and sovereign Ukraine to be key to the security of Germany itself, and therefore continues to consistently support Kyiv. According to Berlin's estimates, since 24 February 2022, Germany has provided or secured approximately €39 billion in bilateral civilian aid and approximately €55 billion in military support to Ukraine.
Rubio supported Orbán in Budapest ahead of the elections and announced deeper energy cooperation
During his visit to Budapest, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that President Donald Trump is counting on Viktor Orbán's victory in the parliamentary elections on 12 April. The parties also agreed to expand their energy partnership, including the supply of American LNG and cooperation in civil nuclear energy.
Western pressure may force Russia to cut oil production due to falling exports
Tighter sanctions from the US and the EU, reduced purchases by India, and the accumulation of stocks at sea may force Russia to reduce oil production in the coming months. Against the backdrop of the war against Ukraine, this puts additional pressure on the Kremlin's budget, where oil and gas revenues account for about a quarter of its income.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards begin training in the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with the US
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has begun naval exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, considered a key route for global oil supplies. The manoeuvres began on the eve of a new round of US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva.
German and British army chiefs call for rearmament of Europe amid threats from Russia
The commanders-in-chief of the German and British armed forces have stated that rearmament is a morally justified step to protect peace. In their opinion, strengthening Europe's defence capabilities has become a necessity due to Russia's change in military strategy following its invasion of Ukraine.
The US military operation in the Caribbean region has already cost nearly $3 billion.
The US operation around Venezuela, which ended with the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, was accompanied by a large-scale deployment of the navy and air force. According to Bloomberg's estimates, since August 2025, the cost of the deployment has approached $3 billion, reaching over $20 million per day at its peak.
Turkey has sent the drilling vessel Çağrı Bey to Somalia for deep-sea oil and gas exploration.
Turkey is launching its first-ever deep-sea drilling mission outside its own maritime zones. The state-of-the-art vessel Çağrı Bey set sail from the port of Taşucu in Mersin to the coast of Somalia, where, after a 45-day voyage, it will begin drilling based on previously collected seismic data.