For today, links to 15 reports: from Agence France-Presse, Tass, Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, the Anadolu Agency, the New York Post, Reuters, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA, SYRIA and WEST BANK entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE. UKRAINE 2-7-25 entry is HERE.) — MCM
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Russia claims east Ukraine village near strategic town. From AFP. Russia said today its forces had captured the eastern Ukrainian village of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, near the strategic military hub of Chasiv Yar that Moscow is attempting to seize. READ MORE . . .
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Kiev forces lost a tank, over 140 soldiers in Battlegroup East zone of responsibility. From Tass. MOSCOW — The losses of the Ukrainian armed forces in the zone of responsibility of the Battlegroup East in one day amounted to a tank, an armored combat vehicle and more than 140 soldiers, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .
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Baltic states switch to European power grid, ending Russia ties. From Reuters. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania said today they had successfully synchronized their electricity systems to the European continental power grid, one day after severing decades-old energy ties to Russia and Belarus. READ MORE . . .
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Trump confirms call with Putin, says Russian leader wants Ukraine war to end: report, by Gizem Nisa Cebi | Anadolu Agency ISTANBUL — U.S. President Donald Trump said he had held a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, discussing efforts to end the Moscow-Kyiv war, according to the New York Post. READ MORE . . . Click HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from the New York Post, Reuters and Tass.
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AFU crush Russian elite tank division in Kharkiv region, repels breakthrough attempt: brigade. From Kyiv Post. Ukrainian forces eliminated a column of Russian tanks and infantry fighting vehicles attempting to breach their defensive lines in the Kharkiv region, according to the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, which led the operation on Saturday. READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 8 Ukraine says it downed Russian Su-25 warplane in Donetsk Oblast. From the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine’s military said on Saturday it had downed a Russian Su-25 attack aircraft near the town of Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast. READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 7 Russia says captured key mining town of Toretsk in east Ukraine. From AFP. Russia said Friday its forces had seized the mining town of Toretsk in east Ukraine after months of heavy fighting. Kyiv denied Russia had full control of the industrial hub. READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine’s military says it shot down 70 out of 151 drones launched by Russia overnight. From Reuters. Ukraine’s military said on Sunday that it shot down 70 drones out of the 151 that Russia launched to attack the country overnight. READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 8 Zelenskyy confirms a new Ukrainian offensive in Russia’s Kursk region. From AP. KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday confirmed a new Ukrainian offensive in Russia’s Kurskregion and said North Korean troops were fighting alongside Russian forces there. READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 8 Trump says he wants to negotiate about Ukraine. It’s not clear if Putin really does, by Emma Burrows | AP Nearly three years after President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, his troops are making steady progress on the battlefield. Kyiv is grappling with shortages of men and weapons. And the new U.S. president could soon . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 8 Zelensky offers Trump mineral partnership, seeks security. From Reuters. KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pored over a once-classified map of vast deposits of rare earths and other critical minerals during an interview on Friday, part of a push to appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump’s penchant for a deal. READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 8 Trump says he may meet Ukraine’s Zelenskiy next week, by Steve Holland | Reuters WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said he would probably meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy next week to discuss Ukraine’s war to repel Russian invaders. READ MORE . . .