In our weekly digest, you will learn about the latest Ukrainian news, key events and international support for Ukraine provided by partners to strengthen the country’s economy and defense capabilities. We will also talk about the war in Ukraine and its impact on the international situation, as well as events that are changing the world and affecting our future.
Ukraine returns 12 children from Russian occupation
On February 3, Ukraine returned twelve children from the Russian occupation as part of the Bring Kids Back initiative. This was announced by the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak.
According to him, among those returned: A 16-year-old girl who lost her mother “due to the negligence of occupation medicine”, a 17-year-old teenager who was issued a call-up to the Russian army.
They also managed to release children who had been subjected to attempts at Russification through “educational camps” and an 8-year-old girl who was tried to be taken away from her father because she refused to obtain Russian citizenship.
Ukraine receives first French Mirage 2000 fighters
On February 6, the first French Mirage 2000 aircraft arrived in Ukraine. This was reported by French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu on social networking site X.
He did not name the number of fighter jets delivered, but noted that they arrived with “Ukrainian pilots on board” who had undergone several months of training in France.
On June 6, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the delivery of French Mirage 2000s to Ukraine. “Now they will participate in the defense of the Ukrainian sky, – the minister added.
The US has delivered only half of the promised military aid to Ukraine
The United States has delivered only half of the promised military aid to Ukraine from its own stocks by November 2024. Reuters reports this with reference to its own sources.
By December 2024, the United States had delivered only 30% of the promised armored vehicles to Ukraine, the publication notes.
The US delayed aid to Ukraine the most in early 2024. In April 2024, the US Congress voted to allocate $60 billion in aid to Ukraine. From April to September 2024, the administration of former US President Joe Biden allocated about $500 million in military aid to Ukraine.
From October to the day of Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the value of the aid increased to $1.1 billion. The United States provided military aid to Ukraine for this amount back in 2023.
The majority of the weapons supplies are short-range missiles for air defense, armored vehicles to replace damaged ones, and artillery. The Pentagon has held back on giving Ukraine longer-range missiles because of fears that the US will run out of them.
The Pentagon told Reuters that as of January 10, the United States had delivered 89% of critical ammunition and 94% of anti-tank systems.
Kellogg officially becomes US Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia
On February 3, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a decree appointing Keith Kellogg as Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia. This was reported by Voice of America journalist Kateryna Lisunova.
We have made significant progress on Russia and Ukraine, – Trump said, without going into details.
Ukraine has received F-16s from the Netherlands – Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Ukraine has received additional F-16 aircraft from the Netherlands. Zelenskyy said this during a conversation with media representatives together with EBRD President Audrey Renaud-Basso, Suspilne reports.
Yes, Mirage appeared, but to be honest, we were waiting for them to appear together. That is, additional F-16s and Mirages, – Zelenskyy said.
He noted that he had no right to speak about the number of aircraft that had arrived in Ukraine.
On February 6, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov also confirmed that Ukraine had received F-16 fighters from the Netherlands and French Mirage 2000 aircraft.
We continue to work systematically with our partners to increase the number of modern combat aircraft in Ukraine, – Umerov said.
The Defense Minister did not disclose the number of aircraft received by Ukraine.
In 2025, Britain will provide Ukraine with more military assistance than ever before – Starmer
This year, the UK will provide Ukraine with more military support than ever before. This was stated by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
We are all working to end this war. But let’s be clear – peace will come through strength. And we must do everything we can to support Ukraine’s defense. This means stabilizing the front line, providing the necessary equipment and training. That is why this year the UK will provide more military support to Ukraine than ever before, – he said.
Starmer emphasized that it is important to see that all allies are stepping up, especially in Europe.
The Prime Minister reminded us that US President Donald Trump had threatened new sanctions against Russia.
It is clear that this worries Putin. We know that he is concerned about the state of the Russian economy. That is why I am here to work with our European partners to continue the pressure. Targeting energy revenues and the companies that equip his missile factories to disrupt Putin’s military machine. Because in the end, along with our military support, that’s what will bring peace, – he said.
Starmer also said that the allies should work to strengthen NATO to counter Russia’s spying campaigns, sabotage in Europe, cyber attacks, election interference and assassination attempts.
Azerbaijan allocates $1 million for humanitarian aid to Ukraine
Azerbaijan has allocated $1 million for humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The corresponding decree was signed by President Aliyev.
This is stated in the decree of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
The President ordered to allocate $1 million from the reserve fund to the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan for the supply of electrical equipment to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine and Poland agree on arms production: memorandum signed
Ukroboronprom and the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) have signed a memorandum outlining the framework agreements on defense cooperation between Ukraine and Poland. This was reported by the Ministry of Strategic Industries.
In particular, it concerns the production of ammunition, maintenance of armored vehicles and artillery, as well as strengthening air defense.
It also provides for the development of financial mechanisms to attract the tools and funds provided by the European Defense Strategy (EDIS) and the European Defense Industrial Program (EDIP).
The Ministry of Strategic Industries said that the memorandum was signed on February 3 by representatives of Ukroboronprom and PGZ in the presence of the Minister of Defense Herman Smetanin and State Secretary of the Polish Ministry of Defense Cezary Tomczyk.
Ukraine returns 150 more soldiers from Russian captivity
Another prisoner exchange took place – 150 Ukrainian defenders returned home on February 5. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
These are soldiers, sergeants, officers, navy men who were taken prisoner in Mariupol and Zaporizhzhia region, Air Force, Air Assault and Land Forces, National Guard, border guards, terrorist fighters and a police officer.
According to the President of Ukraine, some of the released defenders had been in captivity for more than two years. Zelenskyy thanked the exchange partners, in particular the United Arab Emirates.
Kateryna Yashchuk
