Russia hit Odessa with drones, injuring four and causing massive power outages

A large-scale Russian drone strike targeted the southern city of Odesa and Odesa Oblast overnight on February 19, injuring at least four people, including a child, according to Governor Oleh Kiper.

All the victims were hospitalized and are reported to be in moderate condition. The attack caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including a children's clinic, a kindergarten, high-rise buildings, and multiple vehicles.

The strike also led to widespread power outages across the city, affecting 14 schools, 13 kindergartens, and over 500 residential buildings, Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov reported. Emergency power shutdowns were implemented in other parts of Odesa Oblast as authorities worked to restore electricity and heating.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that at least 160,000 residents of Odesa were left without power or heat due to the attack. He also responded to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent claim in Riyadh that Moscow does not target energy infrastructure, calling Russian officials "pathological liars" who cannot be trusted.

Odesa, a key port city on Ukraine’s Black Sea coast with a population of around one million, has been a frequent target of Russian attacks throughout the full-scale war.

Zelensky responded to Trump's statements that the USA gave Ukraine $350 billion in aid

Ukraine's wartime military expenses have reached $320 billion, with the United States and the European Union contributing $200 billion in defense aid, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on February 19.

Zelensky explained that Ukraine itself covered $120 billion, while the remaining $200 billion came from U.S. and EU military assistance. "We are talking about arms, this is a weapons package worth $320 billion," he said during a press conference in Kyiv.

His remarks followed U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that Kyiv had "essentially" agreed to a deal exchanging $500 billion worth of Ukraine's natural resources for Washington's support. Trump has also repeatedly made inconsistent claims about the total amount of aid the U.S. has provided to Ukraine since 2022, most recently estimating it at $350 billion.

Zelensky clarified that the U.S. had provided approximately $67 billion in military aid and $31.5 billion in direct budget support. He expressed gratitude for the assistance but dismissed the claim of a $500 billion exchange, stating, "One cannot count up to $500 billion and say, 'give us back $500 billion in minerals,' that's not a serious discussion."

He reiterated that Ukraine remains open to discussing the proposed resource deal with the U.S., but only if it includes concrete security guarantees. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent presented a draft of the agreement to Zelensky on February 12, but Ukraine declined to sign it without clear security commitments.

Trump's special envoy Kellogg arrives in Kyiv

Keith Kellogg, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, arrived in Kyiv on February 19 as part of Washington's efforts to find a resolution to Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

Upon his arrival, Kellogg emphasized that his primary objective was to listen to Ukraine's concerns and communicate his findings back to the White House. He acknowledged the significance of security guarantees and Ukraine’s sovereignty, stating, "We understand the need for security guarantees. We understand... the importance of the sovereignty of this nation." He added that his mission was to gather Ukraine’s perspectives and relay them to Washington.

President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that Kellogg’s three-day visit could include an inspection of the front lines, though this proposal has not been officially confirmed by the envoy.

Kellogg’s visit follows recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia regarding a potential end to the war—discussions that took place without Ukraine’s participation. Zelensky has repeatedly stressed that Ukraine will not accept any agreements made without its direct involvement.

The envoy had previously met with Zelensky and other top Ukrainian officials during the Munich Security Conference, where they discussed the ongoing war and a U.S.-proposed memorandum concerning Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.

However, recent developments suggest that Kellogg may be increasingly sidelined in Trump’s diplomatic efforts. He was notably absent from the Saudi Arabia negotiations, which some experts attribute to his pro-Ukraine stance and potential objections from Russia regarding his involvement.

The Kremlin offers US economic agreements, perhaps in exchange for concessions about Ukraine - ISW

Russia, through negotiations in Saudi Arabia, is pushing for the U.S. to lift sanctions by highlighting mutual economic benefits, according to the ISW. Kirill Dmitriev, from the Russian Direct Investment Fund, met with U.S. delegates, denying that sanctions relief was Russia's primary goal but emphasizing potential economic cooperation. He claimed U.S. firms lost $300 billion by leaving Russia and suggested their return, presenting economic proposals for U.S. review, expecting progress soon. Proposals include joint projects in the Arctic. The Kremlin aims for favorable economic conditions unrelated to the Ukraine conflict, potentially at the cost of U.S. leverage needed for a beneficial peace deal. Despite these efforts, ISW notes Russia's urgent need for economic relief to avert future crises. Ukraine was absent from these talks, with Trump stating they had "three years to end the war."

Russian forces launched glide bombs on Kostiantynivka; two people were killed, and two injured

Russian forces dropped four guided aerial bombs on Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, killing two people and injuring two others, according to Vadym Filashkin, Head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration.

Filashkin reported that the attack damaged 34 residential buildings, three power lines, three gas pipelines, and an administrative building. Initial reports indicated one person was killed and seven wounded, but the State Emergency Service later confirmed two fatalities after recovering bodies from the rubble. Firefighters also extinguished the blaze caused by the strikes.

Authorities fear that one more person may still be trapped under the debris as rescue operations continue.

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