EU's lending arm is up to invest around 1 billion euros in Ukraine as the US cuts Ukraine's funding

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced nearly €1 billion ($1.03 billion) in investments to support Ukraine’s public and private sectors as the U.S., under President Donald Trump, moves to cut foreign aid. This funding will focus on rebuilding critical infrastructure and supporting small and medium-sized businesses, especially in frontline regions.

Key points of the EIB's investment strategy include:

Public Sector Support: €420 million ($433 million) to restore essential services like energy, heating, water supply, hospitals, schools, and social housing.

Private Sector Financing: Nearly €500 million ($515 million) for small and medium-sized enterprises across Ukraine.

Renewable Energy Projects: €16.5 million ($17 million) from Germany for climate initiatives.

Nadia Calvino, EIB President, emphasized the bank’s role in accelerating Ukraine's reconstruction amid Russia's ongoing attacks. Since the 2022 invasion, the EIB has delivered over €2.2 billion ($2.26 billion) for municipal repairs and modernization.

These investments align with the EU's €50 billion Ukraine Facility program to support the country’s recovery. With reconstruction costs nearing $500 billion, the EIB aims to play a pivotal role in mobilizing public and private funding to rebuild Ukraine's infrastructure.

As European member states push for increased EIB involvement in defense, Calvino highlighted the bank's intention to double its defense investments to €2 billion by 2025 to bolster Europe’s security.

Russian forces dropped a bomb on Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast, killing 1 and injuring 9 people

A Russian attack on the city of Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast on the night of February 9 claimed one life and left nine others injured, according to Oleksandr Honcharenko, Head of the Kramatorsk City Military Administration.

Honcharenko confirmed that the strike, involving a FAB-500 bomb with a guidance system, targeted a densely populated residential area. The blast damaged seven houses, several apartment blocks, a family medicine clinic, an educational institution, and local businesses.

Emergency responders reported that the body of the deceased man was recovered from beneath the rubble. The attack also ignited a vehicle, but firefighters quickly brought the fire under control. In total, seven residential buildings and two vehicles sustained damage. Authorities are continuing efforts to address the aftermath of the assault.

Ukraine returned 17 people from Russian occupation since the beginning of the year - Ukraine's human rights commissioner

Since the beginning of 2025, Ukraine has successfully evacuated 17 individuals from Russian-occupied territories, according to Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights.

The list of people that have been brought back to Ukraine includes:

• A homeless family from Kherson Oblast, displaced by a Russian strike, was rescued.
• Four women with limited mobility were evacuated with ambulance and medical support.
• An 87-year-old woman, forcibly deported to Russia and denied vital care, was brought back.
• A guardian and child facing persecution due to the mother's captivity in Russia were able to leave after her release.
• A 19-year-old girl relocated to Ukraine-controlled territory to continue her education.
• An elderly couple, too fearful to flee independently due to filtration measures, was assisted.
• Three women, including one without proper documents, were evacuated.

Lubinets emphasized that leaving Russian-occupied areas is critical for safeguarding lives. "Citizens often face persecution, pressure, and restrictions imposed by the occupation authorities," he said. He highlighted the active involvement of his office in providing legal support and coordinating efforts with government agencies and international partners for these evacuations.

Russian forces are making an attempt to bypass Pokrovsk from the West

The Pokrovsk front is currently the most intense battleground on Ukraine’s eastern front. Russian forces are attempting to bypass the city from the west. Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group, described it as the hottest spot in the region. He reported 33 assaults in a single day.

Russian troops are focusing their efforts on bypassing Pokrovsk and are deploying large numbers of personnel. They are suffering heavy losses despite their push.

Trehubov explained that their only advantage is the number of infantry. They are trying to hold onto small settlements and advance but are facing severe setbacks.

The pressure remains high, and the threat continues. However, Ukrainian forces are managing the situation and recording significant enemy losses.