Russia launched a major overnight attack on Ukraine with around 50 missiles and nearly 300 drones, targeting energy infrastructure, railways, and water facilities across seven regions including Kyiv, Odesa, and Mykolaiv, killing at least one person and injuring 15 (including four children), while leaving 16,000 without power in Mykolaiv amid freezing temperatures.[1][2] Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reported over 1,300 drone attacks that week alone, with Russia also claiming to have downed seven HIMARS rockets, five guided bombs, and 326 Ukrainian drones in the prior 24 hours.[1][2]
Hungary is blocking the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia and threatening to withhold Ukraine aid until Kyiv restores Russian crude oil flows via the damaged Druzhba pipeline; Slovakia warns of cutting emergency electricity imports if unresolved by Monday.[1][2][4] Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó cited energy security risks from the January 27 interruption, blamed on Russian drones by Ukraine, prompting late-night EU diplomat talks.[1][2][4]
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to visit China February 25-26 at Premier Li Qiang’s invitation, amid reports of U.S. President Trump raising global tariffs to 15% after a Supreme Court ruling struck down reciprocal levies, potentially boosting Xi Jinping’s leverage ahead of a Trump summit in Beijing.[1][3]
In the Middle East, U.S. forces began withdrawing from Syria’s Qasrak base toward Iraq; Iran’s FM and IAEA chief stressed dialogue for a nuclear deal, with talks resuming Thursday; Iraq’s PM met U.S. Syria envoy Tom Barrack; Palestinian factions and Yemen condemned U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s remarks on Israel’s Middle East control claims.[1][3]
Other notable developments include Russia’s Putin prioritizing nuclear triad development for security; Greenland rejecting a U.S. hospital ship offer from Trump; Pakistan killing over 80 terrorists in Afghanistan border strikes; a Nepal bus crash killing 18; severe flooding on Greece’s Lemnos island; and Canada raising Mexico travel advisory due to violence.[1]
Economic highlights: South Korea’s exports rose 23.5% in early February on semiconductor demand; Myanmar drew $398M in FDI; Cambodia cut malaria cases 84% in 2025.[1]
