Ukraine Breaking News Today Live on 02-14-2024

For Valentine's Day, Kyiv Post delves into matters of the heart and looks at the love stories of five of Ukraine’s most influential leaders, past and present.

St. Valentine's Day is celebrated today, Feb. 14, across the world, including Ukraine. But in Ukraine, all relationships have been tested by war.

Kyiv Post takes a look at the love stories of five prominent Ukrainians leaders to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

The good news is that the US Senate has passed a new foreign supplemental aid package. But the House is controlled by Trump Republicans who oppose any Ukrainian aid backed by Democrats.

After four long months, the United States Senate finally passed a new foreign supplemental aid package. The legislation, which includes $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, $14 billion to Israel, and $4.83 billion in support of other partners, including Taiwan, had strong bipartisan support. The Senate voted 70-29 to pass the bill.

This is a significant milestone for the Senate. In November 2023, the supplemental aid package was introduced to Republican and Democratic members of the Senate. Initially, many Republican members stated that the foreign aid package needed to be tied to border security. As a result, Republican and Democratic members debated what should and should not be included in the bill. Multiple revisions were made, and the legislation was in advanced talks. Some members of the Senate, however, determined that they would be unable to reach a deal during the holiday period, and the bill was stalled in December and early January.

Russian radio communications confirm the destruction of the Cesar Kunikov assault ship, with Ukrainian intelligence intercepting transmissions detailing visual inspections of the sunken vessel.

The Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense intercepted Russian radio communications from the site of the destroyed sizeable amphibious assault ship Cesar Kunikov, cofirming its demise, according to a report via Telegram from the HUR.

Russian Ka-52 and Mi-8 helicopters conducted a visual inspection of the location where the ship sank, with an An-26 military transport aircraft of the Russian Air Force serving as a relay for information.

The world in focus, as seen by a Canadian leading global affairs analyst, writer and speaker, in his review of international media.

The House of Representatives has narrowly voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, making him the first cabinet member to face impeachment in nearly 150 years. Many Republicans blame Mr. Mayorkas for an unprecedented influx of migrants at the US-Mexico border. The issue now heads to the Democratic-led Senate, where it is likely to fail - BBC

Panic is soaring in Rafah as desperate Palestinians decide whether to flee the last refuge in Gaza as Israel draws up plans for a ground offensive that the United Nations aid chief has warned could lead to “a slaughter.” A growing number of countries and international organizations are now scrambling to convince Israel to halt its planned offensive, with Ireland’s Taoiseach (or prime minister) Leo Varadkar accusing the country of becoming “blinded by rage.” The South African government made an “urgent request” to the International Court of Justice Tuesday to determine if Israel’s extended military actions in the southern Gazan city require it to “use its power to prevent further imminent breach of the rights of Palestinians in Gaza.” - CNN

Europe needs to build its own security capabilities in preparation for a possible withdrawal by the United States.

As it seems more than likely that Donald Trump will become the republican presidential candidate, he has in effect already sounded the death knell of US participation in NATO and other US international alliances.

On Feb. 10, Trump surpassed his previous most outrageous comments, by claiming that “one of the presidents of a big country” had asked him whether the US would still defend the country if they were invaded by Russia even if they didn’t pay. Trump recalled that he told that leader: “No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them [Russia] to do whatever the hell they want,” apparently encouraging Moscow to attack a US ally.

The 4,000-ton amphibious assault ship went down offshore next to a densely populated seaside resort. It was the fifth Russian warship – of that type – sunk by Kyiv.

A swarm of Ukrainian robot drones on Wednesday morning sank one of the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s heaviest warships still afloat, in another blow to Kremlin naval power in the region.

At least three attack boats loaded with explosives and remotely controlled by operators from Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Directorate for Intelligence (HUR), struck the heavy assault ship Caesar Kunikov as the vessel was close offshore from the Crimean resort town of Alupka.

The Republican White House frontrunner was widely rebuked after saying he would not defend NATO members who had not met their financial obligations

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday 18 of the alliance's 31 countries are set to hit its defence spending target this year, after Donald Trump threatened to encourage Russia to attack members not coughing up enough.

The Republican White House frontrunner was widely rebuked after saying he would not defend NATO members who had not met their financial obligations, in his most extreme broadside yet against the organisation.

Syrsky highlights the ever-increasing role of drones as Ukraine’s war shifts into a defensive phase against Russia's aggressive attempts to advance along the front lines.

The newly-appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky, asserted in an interview with the German TV channel ZDF that Ukraine has transitioned into a defensive operation, marking a new phase in the war characterized by the growing use of drones.

This interview was recorded a few days before Syrsky was appointed to his new position.

Russia seeks not just territory but extermination: Kremlin spokespersons regularly call for the destruction of Ukraine and its people, denying the existence of Ukraine’s identity and sovereignty.

Russia’s war on Ukraine could work to mask the genocide it is in reality waging against the Ukrainian people – and hinder Ukraine’s allies from fulfilling their responsibility to prevent further atrocities.

“If most people understand there’s a war going on, do they also understand that there is a genocide going on?” said Kristina Hook, an expert on Ukraine-Russia relations and mass atrocity prevention, as well as assistant professor of conflict management at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia (US).

Russian officials claimed that Putin relayed ceasefire wishes to the US through intermediaries, but the US rejected the discussions and said they wouldn’t take place without Kyiv.

Russian officials, speaking on the basis of anonymity to Reuters, said Russian President Vladimir Putin has reached out to the US through intermediaries – to no avail – with a ceasefire proposal that would allow Moscow to freeze the conflict and retain occupied territories. Washington denied the claim.

Reuters said the information came from “three Russian sources with knowledge of the discussions.”

The law enables authorities to seize money, property, assets and valuables from those convicted of criticising the offensive.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed into force a law allowing authorities to confiscate assets from those convicted of speaking out against the Kremlin's Ukraine offensive.

Moscow has banned criticism of its grinding offensive and harshly punishes those who publicly oppose it, having adopted a range of strict laws after sending troops to Ukraine in February 2022.

On Valentine’s Day in Ukraine, 700 couples are planning to tie the knot despite, or perhaps because of, the ongoing war; the number in Kyiv – 111.

In Ukraine, 700 couples plan to get married on Valentine’s Day, writes Ukrinform, citing information from Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice.

“Today the hearts of 700 couples will beat in unison. Despite the war, newlyweds decided to officially combine [their] good luck on everyone’s day [for] lovers,” said the Ministry.

Russian forces have been intensifying their efforts to seize control of the eastern industrial hub of Avdiivka in recent months, claiming gradual progress in what has become a costly battle.

Oleksandr Syrsky, the newly appointed head of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, expressed concerns on Wednesday about the precarious situation on the front lines during his visit to eastern Ukraine alongside Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

Russian forces have been intensifying their efforts to seize control of the eastern industrial hub of Avdiivka in recent months, claiming gradual progress in what has become a costly battle.

Military Intelligence said the special operation used Ukraine's own MAGURA V5 maritime drones to sink the Russian amphibious assault ship Cesar Kunikov in the Black Sea in the pre-dawn attack.

Naval drones from the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense launched an attack on the Russian amphibious assault ship Cesar Kunikov in the Black Sea off the coast of Crimea on the morning of Feb. 14, as disclosed by a source in the HUR to Kyiv Post.

According to the source, Ukrainian naval drones, specifically MAGURA V5s, were deployed during the operation. Initial battle damage assessment indicated the attack sank the Russian warship.

“If your enemy is facing a problem, you need to help turn it into a catastrophe,” said one Russian lawmaker about Texas seceding. Moscow is reverting to its tried and true playbook.

Does the Kremlin really use psychological operations to sow chaos in America, or is that just the stuff of conspiracy theorists? Russia’s recent reaction to the crisis at the Texas border suggests the threat is real and growing. Rather than debate whether Russian efforts to inflame debates exist, it is time to flip the script and proactively apply Putin’s strategy to Russia itself.

Certainly, the immigration crisis is complex and decades in its formation. There is no magic formula. The southern border made headlines last month as Texas Governor Greg Abbott placed razor wire and other barriers at the 47-acre Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, along the banks of the Rio Grande that marks the border with Mexico. Abbott’s goal was to stem the flow of migrants crossing from Mexico and highlight Biden administration non-enforcement. President Biden then took the matter to the Supreme Court, which voted 5-4 to allow federal officers to remove the concertina wire.

NATO countries last year reiterated a long-standing position that Kyiv will one day become a member of the US-led military alliance, but did not set a clear timeframe.

The US ambassador to NATO said Tuesday she does not expect Ukraine will be invited to join the alliance at a July summit despite its urgent membership bid following Russia's invasion.

"As for the summit this summer, I do not expect the alliance to issue an invitation," US envoy Julianne Smith told journalists.

This marks a significant increase from the previous estimate of nearly $2.6 billion in damage reported by the Paris-based organization last year.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has caused around $3.5 billion worth of damage to the country's heritage and cultural sites, a United Nations agency said on Tuesday.

Since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, the sectors of culture, tourism, and entertainment have suffered a combined loss of around $19 billion in revenues, UNESCO stated.

Speaker Mike Johnson, who works closely with Biden's likely challenger in the November election Donald Trump, told reporters he has no intention even of allowing a vote on the bill.

The Republican leader of the US House of Representatives on Tuesday blocked war aid for Ukraine, ignoring President Joe Biden's plea that passing the bill was vital for standing up to "Russian dictator" Vladimir Putin.

Speaker Mike Johnson, who works closely with Biden's likely challenger in the November election Donald Trump, told reporters he has no intention even of allowing a vote on the bill.

Latest from the Institute for the Study of War.

Key Takeaways from the ISW:

• The US Senate passed a supplemental appropriations bill that would provide roughly $60 billion of security assistance to Ukraine, the vast majority of which would go to US companies and personnel.
• Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported that Russian forces are attempting to restore maneuver to the battlefield through Soviet deep battle theory but are struggling with implementing Soviet deep battle so far due to current Ukrainian capabilities.
• The current Ukrainian battlefield capabilities that are denying Russian forces the ability to restore maneuver to the battlefield on Russian terms largely depend on the provision of Western military assistance in key systems, many of which only the US can provide at scale.
• Ukrainian forces will not be able to retain these advantages and deny Russian forces the ability to restore maneuver to the battlefield on Russian terms without further assistance from the United States and its partner countries in the near and medium term.
• Russian sources are purposefully exaggerating Ukrainian casualties in a Russian strike near Selydove, Donetsk Oblast on February 13.
• The Kremlin appears to be asserting the right to enforce Russian Federation law on officials of governments in NATO member states over actions taken in the performance of their official duties within the territories of their own countries.
• US sanctions are reportedly constraining Russian efforts to skirt the G7 oil cap amid continued indications that India may be rethinking its growing position as a customer of Russian oil.
• Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Kreminna and in western Zaporizhia Oblast amid continued positional engagements along the entire frontline.
• The British International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) think tank stated on February 12 that Russia is likely able to sustain its current rate of vehicle losses for at least two to three years by producing new vehicles and reactivating vehicles from storage.
• The Kremlin continues efforts to solidify control of occupied Ukraine through institutionalizing social benefits and services.