It’s been another long day today and I’m a bit fried. More air fried than deep fried. But I’m going to just try to keep this to the basics.
I want to start with just a brief bit on the news of the day, which is that Trump may or may not order some sort of invasion or war or military campaign against Iran. For those interested, here is, once again, the link to my 2018 professional publication on why going to war with Iran would be galactically stupid.
My February 2026 bottom line up front (BLUF): Despite all sorts of changes since 2018, if CENTCOM and SOCOM are ordered to stick an arm in there, they’re going to pull back a bloody stump. We don’t have the ground forces, we don’t have a defense industrial base (DIB) that can handle what will become a protracted regime backed insurgency against our entry, we don’t have the popular will to support it, Trump and his team have done nothing to actually generate support, and we no longer really have soft power or allies. A US war against Iran to bring down the Islamic Republic/current government doesn’t actually help the Iranians, including those protesting. No one on Trump’s team really cares about the Iranians themselves. And an attack would lead to lots of civilian casualties/civilian harm. I guarantee Trump and his team will not have even a workable plan about how to reconstruct Iran should we invade and somehow manage to be successful. Not least because Trump, Hegseth, Gabbard, Rubio, etc don’t have any real strategic objectives here other than kill the religious leaders, the Quds force, etc.
GEN (ret) Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian ambassador to the Court of St. James, spilled some English breakfast tea today.
“I will repel this attack, because I know how to fight,” – General Zaluzhnyi told Zelensky’s chief of staff at the time Yermak over the phone when dozens of agents from Ukraine’s security service entered his office.
The search of Zaluzhnyi’s office took place in mid-September 2022…
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 1:42 PM
…at the very moment Ukraine was conducting its successful counteroffensive in the northeast.
SBU officers did not say what they were looking for. The search was carried out in front of more than a dozen British officers present at the time.
Details from @apnews.com : apnews.com/article/ukra…
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 1:42 PM
From the AP:
LONDON (AP) — Ever since he was ousted as the head of Ukraine’s army in 2024 and appointed as the country’s ambassador to Britain, Valerii Zaluzhnyi has widely been seen as the top political rival to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zaluzhnyi, 52, refuses to discuss his political ambitions, saying he doesn’t want to risk harming national unity during a war with Russia that is approaching its fourth anniversary. Yet in a sign of his possible desire to run for the presidency – after the war is over – Zaluzhnyi spoke publicly for the first time about a deep rift between himself and Zelenskyy in a recent interview with The Associated Press.
Tensions emerged soon after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, and tempers often flared between the two men over how best to defend the country, Zaluzhnyi said. The strained relationship reached a boiling point later that year, when dozens of agents from Ukraine’s domestic intelligence service raided Zaluzhnyi’s office, he told the AP.
Zaluzhnyi alleges that the previously unreported incident was an act of intimidation. It risked exposing their rivalry at a time when national unity was paramount.
Ukraine’s security service, known as the SBU, said that no search was ever carried out at Zaluzhnyi’s office, though it acknowledged that the address was part of an investigation unrelated to him. Zelenskyy’s office declined to comment for this story. The AP could not independently confirm Zaluzhnyi’s account of the raid.
Even years later, the revelation threatens to polarize public opinion in Ukraine at a critical moment in the war. Russian forces are making slow, steady gains across Ukraine’s eastern front, and both sides are clinging to incompatible demands as the U.S. presses them to reach a peace deal.
Zaluzhnyi said that during the 2022 raid on his office he called Zelenskyy’s chief of staff warning him he was prepared to call in the military to stop it and protect the command center: “I will fight with you and have already called in reinforcements to the center of Kyiv for support.”
While that near crisis early in the war passed, disagreements between Zaluzhnyi and Zelenskyy over how to defend their country persisted, according to Zaluzhnyi, who said he often challenged the president’s military strategy.
A dispute over a counteroffensive in 2023 that ultimately failed was particularly contentious, the former general said. Although Zaluzhnyi’s popularity with the public had been cemented by several successes on the battlefield, Zelenskyy dismissed him as army chief in February 2024, and later announced he would be headed to London.
The move was widely seen by political analysts as an effort by Zelenskyy to limit Zaluzhnyi’s potential as a political rival by distancing him from day-to-day affairs in Ukraine.
Polls consistently give Zaluzhnyi a slight lead over Zelenskyy in a hypothetical race. Zelenskyy’s once-robust popularity has waned as the war drags on. A corruption scandal implicating several of Zelenskyy’s top officials has eroded public trust, according to lawmakers and activists. Zelenskyy recently reshuffled his leadership team in an effort to restore confidence.
More at the link.
Now we wait to see what the fallout from this is.
Something tells me that after this interview, certain offices in Kyiv might force General Zaluzhny to leave his position as Ambassador.
And this is probably not even one percent of what he could actually say.
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
It Is the Courage of Our Warriors That Ensures the Humanitarian Results and, Overall, Our Diplomatic Capacity, Our Strong Diplomatic Positions – Address by the President
18 February 2026 – 20:10
Dear Ukrainians!
Today, our state has made a decision to impose sanctions against Alexander Lukashenko. We are responding with this decision to Belarus’s clearly increasing involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Lukashenko is accustomed to trading away his country’s sovereignty, having sacrificed many of Belarus’s interests to the Russians. Russia even brought its full-scale war to Ukraine, partly using Belarusian territory – and that is a fact. For a long time, however, Lukashenko refrained from taking personal, direct, harsh actions in Russia’s favor. But since last autumn, Ukraine has been documenting relay stations on Belarusian territory that support Russian attack drones. Thanks to these relays, Russia has been striking our northern regions – from Kyiv and Kyiv region to Volyn. These strikes targeted our energy infrastructure and our railways. Unfortunately, Lukashenko also continues to play along with Putin in his dangerous geopolitical game with Oreshnik, which poses a threat to all of Europe. Belarus is also still being used as a base to supply components, equipment, and hardware to the Russian army. Considering all of this, we are also adjusting our policy and will respond appropriately to the threat. Minsk must understand this. These sanctions send a political signal. I have also instructed a careful review of all of Lukashenko’s schemes and those of his accomplices. We will counter them more tangibly. And we will work with our partners in the region and in all of Europe, as well as global partners, to ensure they fully understand what they are dealing with when it comes to the Belarusian regime. Belarus – the country, its people – cannot be lost for Europe. But this individual, who puts Belarus at Russia’s service, must definitely be “lost.”
Today, we had several detailed discussions with our negotiating team in Geneva. It was the second day of meetings: a trilateral format and other formats as well. Ukraine is determined to achieve results. As of today, we cannot say that the outcome is sufficient. The military representatives discussed certain issues seriously and substantively. However, sensitive political matters, issues of possible compromises, and the necessary meeting of leaders have not yet been sufficiently worked through. We are counting on the next meeting, and it would be right for it to take place still in February. It is important to note the presence of Europeans – France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland as the host. It is we, in Ukraine, who always push the position that Europe must be part of the process. I want to thank the United States for taking this position into account. I also tasked our delegation with discussing the humanitarian track – we need POW exchanges and the release of civilians. We track information on every person and work constantly to bring our people back – bring Ukrainians home. Every exchange matters. I am also grateful to our warriors on the frontline, who carry out active operations and replenish the exchange fund for us, for Ukraine. And it is the courage of our warriors that ensures all this – the humanitarian results and, overall, our diplomatic capacity, our strong diplomatic positions. The key is when these positions are shared. When all of us in Ukraine work together for Ukraine to endure, defend itself, and achieve a dignified peace. There is no room for any other politics in Ukraine right now. This is a time of war. A time to defend our state, to protect our people. Personal matters come later. Therefore, I want to thank everyone defending Ukraine, Ukrainian interests specifically, as if they were defending themselves, in every role, every job, every position. Care for Ukraine. Care for the people.
Glory to Ukraine!
First Lady Zelenska was in Khmelnytskyi today. She visited a 12-21 youth space.
Olena Zelenska Visited the “12–21” Youth Space in Khmelnytskyi
18 February 2026 – 21:10
The First Lady of Ukraine, together with the team of the Olena Zelenska Foundation, visited the “12–21” youth space in Khmelnytskyi. This is one of the first spaces in the network that the Foundation is developing for teenagers and young people aged 12 to 21.
The President’s wife spoke with the team and the young people who had come to the space. In the two months since it opened, the Khmelnytskyi space has hosted dozens of events, including creative workshops, training sessions, film evenings, and board game clubs. The team also shared early results and talked about the challenges they face in creating a supportive environment.
“For us, it is important not only to open new spaces but also to return to them, to hear from the youth and the team. The most valuable thing is the words of the teenagers themselves – that here, they can exhale, not over-explain, and simply be themselves. That was exactly our goal with ‘12–21’: to establish a sense of support and acceptance here,” said Olena Zelenska.
Joining the First Lady, the Head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration, Serhii Tiurin, also visited the space. They discussed cooperation in supporting teenagers and young people and the importance of developing such initiatives across the region.
The “12–21” spaces also operate in Bila Tserkva and Chernihiv. The network is expanding so that teenagers and young people in different regions of Ukraine have access to safe spaces where they can feel supported and accepted.
She also visited psychosocial and rehabilitation facilities while there.
Olena Zelenska Visited Psychosocial and Rehabilitation Facilities in Khmelnytskyi Region
18 February 2026 – 22:09
The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, visited the Krasyliv Community Resilience Center in the Khmelnytskyi region, as well as a hospital in Khmelnytskyi.
The center has already provided around 10,000 individual and group psychosocial support services to 3,500 people. More than 60% of them are veterans and family members of veterans and military personnel. All services at the center are free, and activities are tailored to the needs and requests of community residents.
A coordinated system has been established in the community among all providers of psychosocial services. It operates through a referral system that ensures people are informed promptly about the relevant specialist and supported until they actually receive the service.
“Another distinctive feature of the center is that both the city budget and charitable business sponsors contributed to its construction and setup, while a local NGO provides psychological support. The whole project is implemented by the Ministry of Social Policy as part of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program ‘How Are You?’ It is precisely this joint effort of all parts of society – community, public sector, businesses, and the state – that delivers the best results and supports the resilience of the entire country,” emphasized the First Lady.
Olena Zelenska also visited the Khmelnytskyi hospital, one of the country’s key facilities treating wounded defenders. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, over 12,000 warriors have undergone rehabilitation there.
The hospital houses the RECOVERY Rehabilitation Center and a Mental Health Center, which operates under a public-private partnership through the Return project. This is a modern space for patients in need of psychological, psychosocial, and psychiatric support.
“Through the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program ‘How Are You?’ I sincerely support initiatives that help people care for their mental well-being. Today, I once again see how many lives these initiatives truly change and improve,” concluded the President’s wife.
Georgia:
1/ Former Director of Bidzina Ivanishvii’s co-Investment Fund, Giorgi Bachiashvili, has been released after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors. The Ministry of Justice confirmed the information to Publika.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 2:02 PM
2/ According to a statement circulated by the Prosecutor’s Office and reported by Rustavi 2, Bachiashvili “fully admitted guilt in all criminal cases and fully cooperated with the investigation – he compensated the damage”.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 2:02 PM
3/ His lawyer, Levan Makharashvili, said plea agreements were reached in all criminal cases against Bachiashvili, while criminal proceedings against his parents have been discontinued. Prosecutors had accused them of assisting in the legalisation of illicit income.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 2:02 PM
4/ In the so-called “Bitcoin case”, Bachiashvili had been charged with the misappropriation of a particularly large amount – 8,253.13 bitcoins – and with money laundering. He had previously been sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 2:02 PM
5/ Prosecutors claimed that his investor was Bidzina Ivanishvili and alleged that Bachiashvili concealed profits from him
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Former Minister of Economy Levan Davitashvili has fled Georgia, according to TV Pirveli.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 1:17 PM
CPT has published its report on Georgia, documenting a pattern of police violence against protesters — including beatings by masked officers, often while handcuffed.
www.coe.int/ka/web/cpt/-/council-of-europe-anti-torture-committee-cpt-publishes-report-on-its-2024/2025-visit-to-georgia
— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 5:39 AM
Three of the democratic leaders in the picture have recently been released from jail (but they all face further prosecution).
They posted a picture together from #GeorgiaProtests Day 448, humorously saying they didn’t get a chance to take a group photo at Rustavi [prison].
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Sweden:
🚨Sweden: Russia’s increasingly risky behaviour could trigger a dangerous escalation.
This warning comes as Russia threatens war with NATO over shadow fleet tanker boardings, and Wagner mercenaries are preparing sabotage operations in Europe.
But sure, Russia wants peace.🙄
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 2:05 AM
Germany:
Oh, how the tables have turned.
Ukrainian soldiers will be instructing NATO troops now.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 9:47 AM
The Vatican:
🇻🇦❗️🇺🇸 Vatican refuses to participate in Trump’s Peace Council in favor of the UN
Cardinal Parolin said that one of the problems is that “at the international level, it is the United Nations, first of all, that should manage such crisis situations.”
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 4:44 PM
The US:
Yes, it is not fair that thousands of Ukrainians are losing their lives in this deadly war that the Russians started and continue every day for four years.
It would be cool if they fucked off back to Russia. They would instantly stop dying after that too.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Hillary Clinton: “To achieve a just, lasting settlement in Ukraine, we must better equip Ukraine with long-range missiles and adequate air defense systems.
That’s the only language Putin understands. Strong support for Ukraine will force him to negotiate a better deal.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Trump’s withdrawal of U.S. support for Ukraine is disgraceful and a complete abandonment of Western and human values.
If Trump thinks he can dominate the Western hemisphere and give Europe to Putin, he’s mistaken. Europeans must be the first to prove him wrong.”
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 11:34 AM
🇺🇸❗️On the eve of the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska, the Russian Security Council developed instructions on how to “sell” Trump the “greatest deal.” — The Economist
The document describes a “treasure trove of Arctic and northern resources”…
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 4:41 PM
…that “dozens of sovereign and private funds from the US and other enemy countries” will rush to develop.
The document claims that everyone will make a lot of money, and Putin and Trump could potentially win the Nobel Prize.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 4:41 PM
As we suspected.
👀👀👀👀
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 4:50 AM
Ouch.
Back to Ukraine:
Day 1455 of my 3 day war. We gained negative 200sq km of land that Ukraine retracted forwards into in a panic.
I remain a master strategist.
— Darth Putin (@darthputinkgb.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 7:09 AM
OTD in 2022 i denied any invasion would happen.
So you can believe my promises about peace now.
— Darth Putin (@darthputinkgb.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 11:28 AM
Zelensky: “I don’t need to waste time on historic issues, reasons why he began, all this bullshit he’s raising with Americans, things about Peter the First, etc. I don’t need it. Because to end this war and to go to a diplomatic
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 7:04 PM
way, I don’t need all this historical shit.” – on Putin’s pseudo-historical lectures
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 7:04 PM
🇺🇦❗️I’m not interested in listening to all this historical crap from Putin. I’m sure I read as many history books as he does, — Zelensky.
▪️I know Russia much better than Putin knows Ukraine. What’s important to me is ending war quickly;
▪️I’m not thinking about killing Putin. That won’t stop the war;— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 6:17 PM
▪️Even if I’m gone, that won’t break Ukraine;
▪️Russia wants elections in Ukraine to remove me. If there’s a two-month ceasefire, I’ll raise the issue of elections. People don’t want them during a war;— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 6:17 PM
▪️No one in Ukraine will support the surrender of territory because tens of thousands of Ukrainians died defending this land;
▪️I make mistakes, like anyone who tries to do something. Ukraine talks about corruption, but this confirms that we’re fighting it.— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 6:17 PM
🇺🇦🇺🇸 Zelensky on talks with the US: it was unfair to Ukraine.
Zelensky said that he had “absolutely different” conversations with the American side – both with the Joe Biden administration and this year with President Donald Trump and his team.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 6:13 PM
💬Some were very constructive, some were emotional.
Commenting on the issue of the alleged “humiliation” in the Oval Office, Zelensky stressed that it was not about him personally.
💬Not me. I felt that it was unfair to Ukraine, to our people – after all the pain and these years of war.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 6:13 PM
He was counting on stronger support from the US, given that he considers Trump a “strong man”.
💬I came to the partners and wanted to hear more support. But this is the decision of a sovereign country. I didn’t want to hear any support to the Russians. That’s why my reaction was like this.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Here’s the full interview:
Anhelina Brykina, a Ukrainian freestyle skier, is the daughter of a fallen hero.
At the Olympics today, she took to the slopes with ‘Glory to the AFU’ inscribed on her skis ❤️🩹
Her father, Pavlo Brykin, had been a defender of Ukraine since 2015, serving in the east. Though
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 10:33 AM
he worked as a rescuer in civilian life, he didn’t hesitate to rejoin the defense forces in the first days of the full-scale invasion.
Tragically, Pavlo was killed on August 6, 2022. He is survived by his wife and five children, including Anhelina, who now carries his legacy onto the world stage.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 10:33 AM
🫡🇺🇦 Fighters from the mobile firing group successfully hit an enemy Shahed drone flying at super low altitude!
Got it! Yes! Yes! 🔥— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 7:17 AM
Adviser to the Minister of Defense Beskrestnov (Flash) reported that Russian military forces are transporting FPV drones using Shahed drones. According to him, there is the first video confirmation.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 5:57 AM
“I already know that a Shahed is carrying two FPVs. I ask all AFU units to take the information about the new risks into account.” – he noted.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 5:57 AM
A conversation with a prisoner from Africa who ended up in the ranks of the Russian army – and on the eve of the winter holidays found himself being interrogated by Battalion Commander Datsyk from the Third Assault Brigade.
youtu.be/nwl2e9-8s0Q?…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Ukrainian illustrator Margaryta Winkler won the 67th Annual Illustration Competition by Communication Arts with her book “Homebound”. It shows a stork returning home to witness horrendous atrocities of the russian aggression 💔
— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast:
WARNING!! WARNING!! GRAPHIC IMAGERY!! WARNING!! WARNING!!
In Dnipropetrovsk region, a man was killed in russian shelling‼️
A private residential house was completely destroyed in an airstrike. Rescuers later found the body of a 61‑year‑old man under the rubble.
Killed in his own home. Why? There is no military reason, only terrorism❗️
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 12:18 PM
ALL CLEAR!!!!
Kharkiv:
Russian drones over Kharkiv right now ‼️
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast:
Footage of the clearing of Kupyansk by the 41st Separate Mechanized Brigade. A Russian soldier made an unsuccessful attempt to escape through a window.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Hyryshne, Donetsk Oblast:
🇺🇦❗️Ukrainian forces cleared the eastern part of Hryshyne in the Donetsk region of Russian occupiers, — 7th Corps of DSHV
Ukrainian defenders eliminated about ten Russian soldiers who were attempting to gain a foothold in private houses and shelters.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Russia:
Russian economic collapse: more companies are defaulting on loans as profits keep falling and costs keep rising.
Reminder: at the beginning of 2026, 11% of ALL corporate loans were “nonperforming”.
And oil companies have started going bankrupt too. Watch this space.🛢️📉🔥👀
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Bloomberg reports that Russia is reducing drilling and production volumes due to a lack of financing. Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, drilling activity in Russia has fallen to a record low.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Pskov Oblast, Russia:
Another large candle lit for Chinese New Year by successfully-intercepted drone debris, this time at an oil depot in Velikiye Luki, Pskov oblast. 🔥
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Oil depot in Pskov region of russia is opening marshmallow season early 🔥
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Huge anti-drone structure over Russian oil storage facility in Velikiye Luki that didn’t help much
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Belgorod Oblast, Russia:
Again, russian Belgorod turns the light off in a blackout🖤
Probably out of shame for bombing Kharkiv all the time
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Also, last night Belgorod was once again under attack. It is reported that a missile strike hit the “Energo” thermal power plant. Russian channels write that the local authorities are complaining about a “large scale of damage to the energy infrastructure”.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 4:53 AM
Since the beginning of February, the energy infrastructure of Russian Belgorod has reportedly come under missile strikes by the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the fifth time.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 4:53 AM
The Autonomous Republic of Chuvasia/The Chuvash Republic, Russia:
It is reported that drones attacked the “VNIIR-Progress” plant in Cheboksary, Russia. The facility manufactures antennas, including those used for drones, guided aerial bombs, and other types of weaponry.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 18, 2026 at 4:36 AM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos today.
Here is some adjacent material.
This is the village of Mykolaivka in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine. Russian invading forces are just a few miles away, so it’s under regular attack. Olha from the Hachiko team was able to get food in for the many dogs and cats who are stuck here & we will set up feeding stations.
— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) February 15, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Open thread!
Westyny
Thank you, Adam.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
Adam L Silverman
@Westyny: @AlaskaReader: You’re welcome.
Parfigliano
Thank you Adam.
Adam L Silverman
@Parfigliano: You’re welcome.
Traveller
Dear Adam: Thank you for the link to the Modern War Institute. I have been unfamiliar with term, human geography, but I see clearly now its importance. Also, the terms Cultural Advisor and Human Terrain Team, the last two from your bio note.
I have been arguing, in apparent total ignorance, for something like this for…maybe decades, and even at an After Party at the Getty last weekend (these are topics that seem to naturally come up in conversations)…I can only take a deep breath and Acknowledge my total lack of knowledge on a topic that is important to me, on which I innocently fein some competence from time to time…a competence that I obviously do not possess…
Sigh, this is not what I set out to write, a maybe smart little insight here, a comment on that…well, writings have their compulsions and go where they will…In any case, Thanks again, Best Wishes, Traveller
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
Jay
nitter.poast.org/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/2024086660762226890#m
Jay
bsky.app/profile/antongerashchenko.bsky.social/post/3mf5vwsxkxc2e
Jay
nitter.poast.org/SariArhoHavren/status/2024195006815199312#m
sab
Jay
According to my Canadian niece I might be able to be Canadian because I had a great grandmother Canadian if we can only prove it.
I am beyond excited.
Jay
@sab:
Come North
youtube.com/watch?v=zWSKlYjD8vU
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
@Jay: 😂😂😂🍿🍿🍿
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
Thank you Adam.