Ukraine struck 8 areas of concentration of the Russian army
Category
Ukraine
Publication date

Ukraine struck 8 areas of concentration of the Russian army

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Losses of the Russian army as of February 19, 2025

The situation on the front remains difficult: 156 combat clashes took place over the past 24 hours. Ukrainian soldiers eliminated 1,300 Russian soldiers, and also destroyed 19 tanks, 23 armored combat vehicles, and 72 enemy artillery systems.

Points of attention

  • Russia launched multiple missile strikes and air attacks on Ukrainian positions and settlements, as Ukrainian Defense Forces retaliated with targeted strikes on key areas of the Russian army.
  • The ongoing conflict showcases the determination and resilience of Ukrainian defenders in the face of relentless attacks by the Russian army, with significant losses reported on the Russian side.

Losses of the Russian army as of February 19, 2025

The total combat losses of the Russians from 02/24/22 to 02/19/25 were approximately:

  • personnel — about 862,390 (+1,300) people,

  • tanks — 10,120 (+19) units,

  • armored combat vehicles — 21,098 (+23) units,

  • artillery systems — 23,347 (+72) units,

  • MLRS — 1,288 (+3) units,

  • air defense systems — 1,072 (+4) units,

  • Operational-tactical level UAVs — 25,861 (+175) units,

  • automotive equipment and tank trucks — 37,825 (+146) units,

  • special equipment — 3,752 (+1) units.

Photo: facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports that Russia launched three missile and 94 air strikes on the positions of Ukrainian units and settlements, used 4 missiles and dropped 144 guided bombs.

Moreover, the enemy carried out over 5,600 attacks, 89 of which were from multiple rocket launchers. The Russians used 2,386 kamikaze drones for the attacks.

Over the past day, the Defense Forces' aviation, missile troops, and artillery struck eight areas of concentration of personnel, weapons, and military equipment, five artillery systems, four command posts, one air defense system, and two other important facilities of the Russian invaders.

Category
Politics
Publication date

White House discusses lifting energy sanctions on Russia

Rubio
Source:  Politico

Controversy has arisen within Donald Trump's administration regarding the possible lifting of energy sanctions on Russia, despite public denials of such discussions by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US President's envoy Steve Witkoff.

Points of attention

  • Controversy has emerged within the White House over discussions to lift energy sanctions on Russia, despite public denials by US officials.
  • Key figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Special Representative Steve Witkoff are at odds over the approach to the sanctions policy.
  • Internal discussions in the White House involve considering lifting sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and certain Russian assets in Europe amidst efforts to cease hostilities between Russia and Ukraine.

White House considers lifting energy sanctions on Russia

Five informed interlocutors of Politico told the publication that internal discussions are ongoing in the White House regarding the possible lifting of sanctions, in particular against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, as well as certain Russian assets in Europe.

This is being considered in the context of potential agreements to cease hostilities between Russia and Ukraine.

According to sources close to the negotiation process, US Special Representative Steve Witkoff plays a key role in promoting the idea of lifting restrictions.

He allegedly instructed his team to compile a complete list of energy sanctions that Washington had imposed against Moscow.

At the same time, in a joint statement released by the White House, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Witkoff himself denied that there were any discussions about easing sanctions pressure on Russia.

This is not true. None of us had any conversations about lifting sanctions against Russia as part of a peace agreement with Ukraine. This is completely fabricated and irresponsible information from Politico, a top-notch publication. If they have even a shred of journalistic integrity, they would completely refute this fabrication.

One source said that while Steve Witkoff has proposed lifting energy sanctions against Russia, the initiative has not yet gained significant support among White House officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is actively opposing its implementation, trying to stop the advancement of such an approach.

According to informed sources, among the opponents of the idea are not only Rubio, but also Secretary of the Interior Doug Bergham, who also heads the White House Council on Energy Dominance. Their position indicates serious internal disagreements on the approach to sanctions policy.

In addition, some American officials believe that Witkoff may have been misinformed by Russia about the possible economic impact for the United States of resuming commercial ties with Moscow, another source familiar with the situation reported.

An internal debate is underway in the White House between supporters of energy dominance — Bergamo, who wants to open markets for American LNG — and Witkoff, who seeks to get closer to Russia, one of the sources told the publication.

Russia's restoration of its status as the main supplier of energy to Europe would be "a bloodbath for American producers (of oil and gas — ed.)," he added.

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