A couple of quick housekeeping notes. First, Rosie had her monthly post-chemo check in yesterday. She got a clean bill of health. The biggest issue is she’s got fourteen year old back hips, but the vet has her on a treatment that seems to be working. Thank you all again for the good thoughts, well wishes, prayers, and donations.

Second, Ohio Mom: I have seen your question. I need to think about how best to answer it. I am not ignoring you or it. Though I was asleep the last two nights when you reposed the question in the comments.

Third, I’ve been offline almost all of the day reading or watching 6 Nations Rugby. I’m going to just run through the basics tonight because I’m sure everyone is either watching the Super Bowl or watching something instead of the Super Bowl or hanging out by the food and drinks at a Super Bowl party.

But I do want to cover this up front:

⚡️Ukraine to launch ‘Drone Line’ project to enhance battlefield operations.

The project seeks to enhance combat effectiveness by expanding the use of drones within elite units of the Ground Forces and the State Border Guard Service.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) February 9, 2025 at 3:45 PM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry announced on Feb. 9 the launch of the “Drone Line,” a new military initiative aimed at integrating unmanned aerial systems into frontline operations.

The project seeks to enhance combat effectiveness by expanding the use of drones within elite units of the Ground Forces and the State Border Guard Service.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov described the initiative as a transformative step in modern warfare, emphasizing that unmanned systems will play a central role in combat. “This is the new standard of war, where unmanned systems become a key element of combat, helping our defenders carry out the most complex missions,” Umerov said.

The first phase of the project will focus on five elite regiments and brigades: the 20th Separate Regiment “K-2,” the 429th Regiment “Achilles,” the 427th Regiment “RAROH,” the 414th Brigade “Magyar’s Birds,” and the “Phoenix” Regiment, which is part of the “Pomsta” Brigade. These units have already demonstrated effectiveness in drone warfare and will now see their capabilities significantly scaled up, according to the minister.

By integrating infantry and UAVs into a unified strike system, the Drone Line aims to create a 10-15 kilometer deep kill zone, ensuring that enemy forces cannot move without sustaining heavy losses. “This will fundamentally change battlefield tactics, giving our warriors a decisive advantage,” Umerov said in his post on Facebook.

The initiative will also provide constant aerial support for infantry and enhance target detection and destruction before adversaries reach Ukrainian positions.

The Defense Ministry credited President Volodymyr Zelensky for spearheading the initiative and highlighted the ongoing work of Ukraine’s defense industry in advancing drone technology.

I’ve written here a few times about how over the past 11 years the Ukrainians have been developing, revising, adjusting, and innovating the Ukrainian way of war. Which is why some of the standardized training we and our NATO allies have tried to provide has often not worked. Because it fit the US’s and NATO’s way of war, not Ukraine’s. This is not completely new, the Ukrainians have been integrating their UAV ops with their other maneuver operations for a while, but what they Ukrainians are attempting with their Drone Line UAV-Infantry scheme of maneuver is an attempt to formalize the concept of operations. We will get to watch this experiment in real time as the Ukrainians change the characteristics of war even as its nature remains unchanged.

Here’s Ukraine’s air defense tally from last night:

70 deadly Russian drones downed tonight, 67 on Saturday. Doesn’t exactly read as “Putin just wants people to stop dying”—more like he wants to kill more Ukrainians and has zero interest in ending the war.

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— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 4:56 AM

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

The Less Dependent Europeans Are on Russia, the Sooner We Can Ensure Security in Europe – Address by the President

9 February 2025 – 19:59

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today marks an important event for our region and for Europe as a whole. The Baltic states – good friends of Ukraine – have disconnected from the Russian energy grid. Their energy systems are now fully synchronized with the European continental system.

Ukraine had already done this in 2022, and now the Baltic states have also freed themselves from dependency. Moscow will no longer be able to use energy as a weapon against the Baltic states. This also means that Europe has become even more cohesive. This is exactly the course all of us in Europe should continue to follow across the continent. This is in particular relevant for Central European countries – those that still have agreements with Russia. We need to work more closely with America – LNG gas, oil. We need to work more closely with our partners in countries neighboring the European Union, in this region, to import the necessary energy. The Caucasus, the Middle East, North Africa. The less dependent Europeans are on Russia, the sooner we can ensure reliable security for everyone in Europe. I congratulate our friends – Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia – on today’s achievement. It’s important that Poland is helping, proving once again that cooperation among us all means the independence of each of us. I am grateful to the European Union for supporting our region and our common security. In the same way, we need to put pressure on Russia’s attempts to use its tankers and its fleet against us, against all of Europe. In Ukraine, we have recently expanded the sanctions so that not only Russian tankers are sanctioned, not only the companies they are registered under, but also so that the captains of these vessels, the people who work for this war, feel this pressure. This needs to be upheld at the European level – the European Union must join these sanctions in the energy sector.

And one more thing.

Today, Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi delivered a report. The Donetsk region – Pokrovsk, Vremivka, and other heavily contested areas. Our troops are demonstrating extraordinary bravery. The 33rd, 225th, and 425th separate assault regiments – thank you very much, guys! Also, the 82nd and 95th brigades in the Kursk direction demonstrate highly effective enemy destruction. We must hold all our positions firmly. The stronger we stand on the front lines, the stronger our diplomacy – our work with partners – will be. Thank you to everyone standing with Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!

Yesterday President Zelenskyy sat for an interview with Reuters. Here’s the video:

Lithuania:

🇱🇹🚀 Lithuania raises nearly €900,000 in one week to buy drones for Ukraine

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— Ukrainska Pravda 🇺🇦 (@pravda.ua) February 9, 2025 at 7:21 PM

From Ukrainska Pravda:

Ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Lithuania is once again holding the solidarity campaign Radarom!, raising nearly €900,000 in just one week.

Source: Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The campaign’s organisers reported that Lithuanian citizens and businesses had donated €887,225 by Sunday morning on 9 February.

Two-thirds of the funds raised will be used to purchase drones and anti-drone systems produced in Lithuania, while the remaining third will be allocated for equipment manufactured in Ukraine.

The solidarity campaign will continue until 24 February.

Background:

• In 2023, the first Radarom! campaign raised over €14 million, which was used to buy 17 radars.
• In 2024, Radarom! raised €8.6 million, which was used to purchase 1,141 safe soldier kits.
• Lithuanian company NT Service made a significant contribution to the campaign Radarom! by donating 50 SkyWiper-MOTO anti-drone systems, designed to protect vehicles and soldiers from drone attacks.

This should help with the drone line initiative.

The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania:

“Goodbye, Russia. Goodbye, Lenin,” said Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda after the Baltic states disconnected from Russia’s energy system. “This is a historic moment, marking the end of a long journey. We’ve achieved full energy independence. The era of pressure and blackmail is over.”

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 11:24 AM

Georgia:

On the 74th day of continuous protests, Rustaveli Avenue was blocked again, despite heavy police presence on Rustaveli and nearby streets.

Initially police tried to stop the demonstrators, but as the crowd grew, they retreated through the surrounding streets.

#GeorgiaProtests

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM

📸 Natia Leverashvili/Publika

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM

It’s freezing, 0 degrees. Day 74 continuous, day 104 overall.
The electoral fraud, the U-turn in foreign policy, the mass torture… The crisis will only deepen without free and fair elections. And without the release of the political prisoners! #GeorgiaProtests
📷 Mautskebeli

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 2:38 PM

Despite the mobilization of masked policemen, protesters once again blocked Rustaveli Avenue.

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 74

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 12:36 PM

Day 74. There was an abundance of regime police (look at the end of the video), but for Georgians, it’s important to close Rustaveli every night, so they proceed with it quite fearlessly. It seems like they want to intimidate us with their presence these last two days, but eventually 1/

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM

they will most likely either have to try to disperse the Rustaveli protest, or fail to act on their own newest dictatorial law that outlaws “spontaneous” protests (protests without officially notifying the authorities).
Let me just say, while Rustaveli is a logistical and tactical disaster 2/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM

for protesters because it is THE one location where the regime has profoundly mastered dispersals, it is nevertheless a sacred place for Georgians who have fought for independence and freedom precisely on Rustaveli (in front of the Parliament) for almost 40 years now. 3/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM

Any clash or arrest on Rustaveli gets more attention, and, I’m saying it humorously, but it almost feels like protests can be outlawed everywhere “BUT NOT ON RUSTAVELI!” It’s our default, our home.
#terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests 4/4.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM

All of this is very logical and will only get worse as long as the menace known as the Georgian Dream is in power.
#terrorinGeorgia

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 4:38 PM

On top of everything, central Tbilisi has no gas/heating, and it’s freezing outside. We will be sleeping with everything we’ve got. Welcome back, 1990s.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM

Alongside virtually all protests being outlawed, indoor protests were also outlawed, and the police concentrated around university sit-ins yesterday. Here the students discuss their plans in case they get arrested for sit-in protests.
#GeorgiaProtests
📷 Archil Gochitashvili

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 4:26 AM

Back to Ukraine.

“Lowpass” performed by 🇺🇦 F-16. The aircraft carries a full set of air-to-air missiles, AIM-120 and AIM-9. The aircraft also has 2 additional 370-gallon (~1400 liters) fuel tanks. The AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasure system is installed on the central point of the suspension. t.me/TyskNIP/15089

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 2:22 PM

Russian recon drone had an explosive flight thanks to a Ukrainian FPV interceptor.

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) February 9, 2025 at 9:18 AM

Prince Harry, the best of the British royals, embraces members of the Ukrainian team after the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 in Canada.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 9:07 AM

Sumy:

Sumy these minutes. Russian drone struck a residential neighborhood, hitting a parking lot and shattering windows in nearby apartment buildings. According to preliminary information, there are no reported casualties.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 4:41 PM

Sumy tonight after the russian drone strike

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 5:23 PM

The parking lot is on fire in Sumy after the russian drone strike.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM

The Kursk cross border offensive:

⚡️Kursk incursion stopped Russian invasion of Zaporizhzhia, Zelensky claims.

The president said the cross-border offensive was “one of our most successful operations” and that it forced Russia “to give up their military units from the Zaporizhzhia direction.”

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) February 9, 2025 at 6:33 PM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Ukraine’s offensive into Russia’s Kursk Oblast prevented Russian forces from carrying out large-scale operations in northeastern and southern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with ITV News on Feb. 7.

Kyiv launched a surprise cross-border incursion into Kursk in August 2024, initially capturing about 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory. While Ukrainian forces have lost roughly half that area since, they recently advanced 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) in the region in a new offensive.

Speaking during an interview with the British outlet ITV News on the six-month anniversary of the incursion, Zelensky called the Kursk operation “one of our most successful operations.”

The aim of the incursion was to create “a buffer zone” that would protect Ukraine’s major northeastern cities, Kharkiv and Sumy, from another Russian offensive, Zelensky said. Russia launched a new assault against Kharkiv Oblast in May 2024, advancing as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) before Ukrainian troops halted the advance at the first line of defense.

“(T)he idea was to preventatively carry out an attack and create a buffer zone not on Ukrainian territory, but on Russia’s territory in those regions,” Zelensky said.

“And that’s what happened.”

The Kursk incursion prevented Russia from fulfilling its operational goals in Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts, while also providing Ukraine with nearly 1,000 Russian soldiers to replenish Kyiv’s prisoner exchange fund, Zelensky said.

It also prevented Russia from a southern offensive, he claimed.

“(T)hey withdrew their operational forces from the south of our country, because they were planning to attack Zaporizhzhia, this was their next operation after Kharkiv and Sumy, they were going to Zaporizhzhia,” Zelensky said.

“So they were forced to give up their military units from the Zaporizhzhia direction and parts from the East.”

Russia redirected troops in these regions to Kursk Oblast, Zelensky alleged.

More at the link.

Ukrainian fighters of the 82nd Separate Airborne Assault Bukovinian Brigade in Kursk once again demonstrated their professionalism. They first destroyed Russian military equipment and then took on the infantry. The enemy tried to hide, but the Ukrainian fighters tracked them down and eliminated them

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 3:16 PM

Kharkiv:

More russian drones over Kharkiv ‼️they just refuse to fuck off today

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 4:08 PM

Volydane, Kharkiv Oblast:

russia attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure in the Kharkiv region.

Overnight, between February 8th and 9th, enemy drones completely destroyed a gas and condensate processing plant near the village of Vodyane in the Kharkiv region.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 12:54 PM

Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast:

⚡️ Russian drone strike injures 2 in Nikopol, governor says.

A Russian kamikaze drone injured two men in Nikopol, Governor Serhii Lysak reported on Telegram. The victims, ages 41 and 39, reportedly suffered varying degrees of injuries.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) February 9, 2025 at 8:30 AM

The Kyiv Independent has the details:

A Russian kamikaze drone injured two men in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, on Feb. 9, Governor Serhii Lysak reported on Telegram.

The victims, ages 41 and 39, suffered varying degrees of injuries, according to Lysak.

“One of them sustained an explosive mine injury and a shrapnel wound to the face. He will be treated as an outpatient. The other is hospitalized in serious condition,” he wrote.

A gas station and a car were also damaged in the attack, Lysak said.

Nikopol, located on the banks of the destroyed Kakhovka Reservoir, just across from Russian-occupied Enerhodar and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, is a regular target of Russian attacks.

Since the end of last year, Russia has sharply escalated the number of drones attacks launched at Ukraine.

Donetsk Oblast:

🇺🇦 A concentration of Russian infantry was destroyed. Intelligence revealed Russian positions in the Donetsk sector. Two Ukrainian tanks struck at the coordinates provided. There were up to 10 occupants in the building. They are now classified as ‘200’ (killed in action).

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 8:31 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos tonight. Here is some adjacent material.

Winter Hachiko food & medicine deliveries this weekend to displaced dogs in the eastern Ukrainian city of Izium—where Russia recently launched a major missile attack killing many civilians. Natalia takes care of dozens of pets here, including these puppies.

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— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) February 9, 2025 at 9:24 AM

Open thread!