Russia's army recorded its slowest advance on the frontline in Ukraine in nearly two years in February, according to an analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War conducted by Agence France-Presse. Moscow's forces advanced by a total of 123 square kilometres, the lowest since April 2024, as Kyiv's troops scored several localised breakthroughs. The slowdown came as Russian forces struggled after Elon Musk cut their access to Starlink internet terminals.
Ukrainian troops achieved several localised advances during February, including a 61 sq km gain on 15 February and gains of more than 50 sq km on 21 and 23 February. Kyiv's forces saw most success along the southern frontline, pushing Russia's army back in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Meanwhile, Moscow continued grinding forward in the east, moving closer towards the key hubs of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in Donetsk region. Russia occupies just over 19% of Ukraine.
In other developments, Russia's Sheskharis oil terminal near Novorossiysk suspended oil loadings on Monday following a Ukrainian drone attack that injured five, damaged 20 buildings and set a fuel terminal on fire. An SBU official said Ukrainian drones struck six of the terminal's seven loading facilities and also hit Russian warships, while Ukraine's general staff reported strikes on a naval base and an S-400 air defence system. Russia did not confirm damage to military assets.
US-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine expected later this week may take place in Switzerland or Turkey if a planned meeting in Abu Dhabi is not possible, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. He noted that western countries have given no indication that delivery of vital air defence missiles to Kyiv could be disrupted by Middle East commitments. Peace talks have stalled over Russia's insistence that Ukraine cede the remaining part of Donbas it does not control.
Russian strikes killed at least eight people on Monday, including three in Kramatorsk and two in Druzhkivka. An attack on a civilian passenger train was also reported. Separately, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called for a meeting with the EU Commission president, Ukraine, and Hungary to restart oil flows along the Druzhba pipeline, which Ukraine has blamed on a Russian attack on pumping stations.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine will complete technical work to open negotiations on all topics for EU accession within days, urging the bloc to set a firm date for membership. Ukraine became a formal candidate in February 2022, but progress has been blocked by Hungary, which has prevented unanimous approval of the first accession cluster.
