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Ukraine Gains 300 sq km, Russia Expands FSB Internet Block, Strikes Missile Plant

Updated (2 articles)
  • In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, soldiers fire an anti-tank missile system during a drill close to the frontline on the site of heavy battles with the Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
    In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, soldiers fire an anti-tank missile system during a drill close to the frontline on the site of heavy battles with the Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, soldiers fire an anti-tank missile system during a drill close to the frontline on the site of heavy battles with the Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. Source Full size
  • In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, soldiers fire an anti-tank missile system during a drill close to the frontline on the site of heavy battles with the Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
    In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, soldiers fire an anti-tank missile system during a drill close to the frontline on the site of heavy battles with the Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, soldiers fire an anti-tank missile system during a drill close to the frontline on the site of heavy battles with the Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. Source Full size

Ukraine’s Recent Territorial Gains Reach Up to 300 sq km Zelensky said on Feb 20 that Ukrainian forces liberated roughly 300 square kilometers in the south [1]. ISW analysis confirms at least 168.9 sq km have been retaken since Jan 1, noting villages east of Novopavlivka, central Ternove, and northwest of Verbove [1]. Newsweek reports a 201‑sq km surge between Feb 11‑15, the fastest advance since mid‑2023, pushing Russian‑held land below 18 % of Ukraine’s territory [2].

Russian Legal Move Expands FSB Power Over Online Services On Feb 20 President Putin signed a decree obligating mobile operators to cut communications on FSB request, removing “emerging security threat” language and allowing nationwide or regional blocks, including Telegram [1]. The FSB alleged Ukrainian intelligence harvests Telegram data for military use, while the Russian Ministry of Defence promoted a secret encrypted “military messenger” as a replacement, prompting skepticism among milbloggers [1].

Ukrainian FP‑5 Missiles Strike Key Russian Defense Facilities The Ukrainian General Staff reported FP‑5 Flamingo cruise missiles hit the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant, a producer of Yars ICBMs, Bulava SLBMs, Iskander‑M and Kinzhal missiles, and set fire to the Neftegorsk gas‑processing plant in Samara [1]. Satellite heat signatures and official acknowledgments confirmed the attacks, marking a direct strike on Russia’s strategic weapons industry [1].

Russian Drones Depend on Belarusian Cellular Infrastructure Pro‑Ukrainian hacker groups disclosed a six‑month operation that accessed hacked Russian accounts to reveal Russian drones rely on civilian cellular towers in Belarus for navigation [1]. The data showed routes crossing Polish NATO airspace, underscoring Belarus’s de‑facto partnership in Russia’s war effort [1].

Pre‑Geneva Massive Russian Drone‑Missile Barrage Ahead of the U.S.-brokered Geneva talks, Moscow launched roughly 400 drones and 29 missiles against energy and military‑industrial sites across twelve regions, injuring nine people, according to President Zelensky and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha [2]. The strike was described as “massive” and timed to pressure negotiations [2].

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Timeline

2014 – Russia annexes Crimea, adding 7 % of Ukraine’s territory to its control, a move that later underpins Moscow’s claims in the 2022 invasion [1].

Feb 2022 – Russia launches a full‑scale invasion, seizing just under 27 % of Ukraine’s land area and setting the stage for a protracted conflict [1].

Mid‑2023 – Ukrainian forces achieve their last rapid territorial gain before 2026, establishing a benchmark for future offensives [1].

Aug 2025 – Feb 2026 – Pro‑Ukrainian hackers run a six‑month operation that taps Russian drone‑monitoring systems via Belarusian cellular towers, revealing routes that cross Polish NATO airspace and highlighting Belarus’s de‑facto partnership with Russia [2].

Jan 1, 2026 – The Institute for the Study of War begins tracking Ukrainian liberations, later confirming at least 168.9 sq km reclaimed across the Dnipropetrovsk‑Zaporizhia front [2].

Early Feb 2026 – Elon Musk announces SpaceX restrictions on “unauthorized use” of Starlink by Russian forces, a policy Ukrainian officials say yields “real results” on the battlefield [1].

Feb 11‑15, 2026 – Ukraine recaptures 201 sq km in a five‑day surge, the fastest advance since mid‑2023, and pushes Russian‑held territory below 18 % of Ukraine’s total area [1].

Feb 16, 2026 – Russia launches a massive drone‑missile strike, deploying roughly 400 drones and 29 missiles against energy and military‑industrial sites across twelve regions, timing the attack ahead of upcoming peace talks [1].

Feb 20, 2026 – President Volodymyr Zelensky tells AFP that Ukrainian forces have liberated roughly 300 sq km in southern Ukraine, citing recent disruptions to Russian Starlink use [2].

Feb 20, 2026 – President Vladimir Putin signs a decree granting the FSB authority to block Telegram and other internet services nationwide, removing “emerging security threat” language and expanding censorship powers [2].

Feb 20‑21, 2026 – Russian and Ukrainian delegations meet in Geneva for U.S.‑brokered talks, with Russia demanding retention of large parts of Donetsk and southern regions while Kyiv insists any concession would be illegal and unpopular [1].

Mid‑Feb 2026 – The Ukrainian General Staff reports FP‑5 Flamingo cruise missiles strike the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant—producer of Yars ICBMs, Bulava SLBMs, Iskander‑M and Kinzhal missiles—and set fire to the Neftegorsk gas‑processing plant in Samara, marking a deep strike into Russian strategic industry [2].

Feb 22, 2026 – ISW confirms at least 168.9 sq km liberated since Jan 1, highlighting village gains east of Novopavlivka, central Ternove, and north‑west of Verbove along the Dnipropetrovsk‑Zaporizhia border [2].

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