February saw the Ukraine war enter its third year, battlefield stalemates, diplomatic tensions, and geopolitical shifts, ranging from Russian strikes and espionage to Baltic states cutting ties with Moscow’s power grid.
February 1: Four dead after Russian strike on Kursk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russia bombed a boarding school in Sudzha, Kursk. Civilians were sheltering in the boarding school and preparing to evacuate.
Ukraine reports the bombing resulted in four deaths and dozens of other injuries. The majority of the injuries were elderly, and 84 people were rescued.
Zelensky condemned Russia as “devoid of civility,” calling it a deliberate attack.
Moscow denied responsibility, blaming Ukraine for a missile strike.
Kyiv previously seized Kursk territory as a bargaining tool but did not intend to hold it.
February 9: Baltic states unplug from Russia’s electricity network
The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have unplugged from Russia’s electricity network and now joined the European Union’s network.
The decision had been planned as far back as 2007 and was seen as vital for European security, especially after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The power grid, which stands for Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, is controlled almost entirely by Moscow. The grid has long been seen as a vulnerability for the three Baltic states.
“This is freedom, freedom from threats, freedom from blackmail” said EU chief Ursula von der Leyen at a ceremony in Lithuania’s capital.
February 12: Senior figure in Ukraine Security intelligence suspected to be a Russian agent
A senior Ukrainian intelligence officer, reportedly Colonel Dmytro Kozyura, has been arrested on suspicion of being a Russian agent.
The Ukraine Intelligence Service (SBU) said he transmitted information to Russia at least 14 times and was recruited by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) in Vienna in 2018 but reactivated in December 2023.
SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk personally led the operation and reported to President Zelensky. The agency also used the suspect to feed Moscow disinformation. Malyuk vowed continued efforts to root out Russian infiltration within Ukraine’s security services.
February 16: Secretary of State goes to Saudia Arabia for talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian officials in Saudi Arabia for talks on ending the Ukraine war. Alongside Rubio were national security adviser Mike Waltz and envoy Steve Witkoff.
Ukraine and Europe were not invited, raising concerns among Kyiv and its allies.
The talks follow a call between recently inaugurated US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Trump pushed for immediate negotiations. European nations held an emergency summit in Paris in response.
At the Munich Security Conference, US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, urged Europe to take more responsibility for its defence.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signalled Ukraine may not join NATO or reclaim all its territory, heightening European fears of US concessions to Russia. In response, Ukrainian President Zelensky called for an “army of Europe” to ensure the continent’s security.
February 24: Ukraine war hits its third year
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, has seen slow but steady Russian advances in the east.
This is particularly so near Avdiivka and Pokrovsk, despite strong Ukrainian resistance using drones and ground forces.
Russia also launched an incursion north of Kharkiv in May 2024, briefly seizing villages before being pushed back. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops made gains in Russia’s Kursk region, leading to discussions of a potential territory swap, which Moscow dismissed.
Diplomatic efforts continue, with US President Donald Trump claiming Putin has agreed to talks, though Ukraine, the US, and European allies differ on terms. Zelensky suggested he would step down for peace.
Since the war began, Ukraine has fought off early Russian advances, recapturing territory in 2022, but the conflict has since ground into a prolonged battle.
The war has largely reached a stalemate. Recent diplomatic efforts, including potential peace talks led by the US, remain uncertain. There are still key disagreements over territorial concessions and Ukraine’s future security.
As Western military aid fluctuates and both sides suffer heavy casualties, this then begs the question: Will the war continue as a stalemate or is a negotiated settlement, potentially involving territorial compromises, the only path to ending the conflict?
Featured Image Credit: Edward Jewsbury
I am a third-year Politics and Journalism Studies student at the University of Stirling (2022-) and a writer and sub-editor for the Brig for over a year (Nov. 2023-), focusing mainly on political topics.
