MSM Geopolitical Reporting for 2026-02-26

Year 4: Why the U.S. needed the Russian invasion

In a moment of candor in March 2022, Joe Biden revealed why the U.S. needed the Russian invasion to launch its three-pronged, pre-meditated war on Russia, writes Joe Lauria.

Strategic Culture Foundation

Feb 25, 2026 - strategic-culture.su

F-16s Arrive To Protect Diego Garcia, F-22s Forward Deploy To Israel

It appears that much will depend on the result of the next round of nuclear talks in Geneva as U.S. combat capabilities continue to amass. The post F-16s Arrive To Protect Diego Garcia, F-22s Forward ...

The War Zone

Feb 25, 2026 - twz.com

This is a bomb, a dirty bomb!

The European leadership is a clear, obvious, and unequivocal concrete threat to global security.

Strategic Culture Foundation

Feb 25, 2026 - strategic-culture.su

Ukraine’s cleanup operation is now recapturing villages Russia once firmly held

Penetrating the Russian line, Ukrainian assault troopers liberated a village that was once under firm Russian control.

Russo-Ukrainian war 2022-2026 news - Euromaidan Press

Feb 25, 2026 - euromaidanpress.com

Number Of Nuclear Warheads New Sentinel ICBMs Will Carry Now An Open Question

We now know much more about the USAF's sprawling plans for new Sentinel ICBM silos with features not found on Minuteman III. The post Number Of Nuclear Warheads New Sentinel ICBMs Will Carry Now An Op...

The War Zone

Feb 25, 2026 - twz.com

France warns against risk of nuclear proliferation

Arms control treaties are expiring and countries are looking to develop their own arsenals in the face of geopolitical uncertainty, a French official tells reporters.

War in Ukraine – POLITICO

Feb 25, 2026 - politico.eu

France and United Kingdom move the nuclear clock closer to midnight

Russia will not tolerate this type of maneuver and may respond against any of the actors involved.

Strategic Culture Foundation

Feb 25, 2026 - strategic-culture.su

KC-390 With A Refueling Boom Seems Like A Perfect Fit For The USAF’s Agile Tanker Needs, But Will It Bite?

The idea of a KC-390 with a boom has gotten a new breath of life, and could be ideal for bringing fuel to far-flung edges of the battlespace. The post KC-390 With A Refueling Boom Seems Like A Perfect...

The War Zone

Feb 25, 2026 - twz.com

Airborne LiDAR in Defense: Revolutionizing Modern Military Operations

Airborne LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, represents one of the most transformative technologies in contemporary defense strategies. Mounted on aircraft, helicopters, drones, or unmanned aerial ...

Aviation and Defense Market Reports

Feb 25, 2026 - aviationanddefensemarketreports.com

General Running Air Force Reserve Wants Surplus F-15E Strike Eagles, New F-15EX Eagle IIs

The chief of the Air Force Reserve Command wants to overturn the depressing trend of aircraft divestments without getting new planes to replace them. The post General Running Air Force Reserve Wants S...

The War Zone

Feb 25, 2026 - twz.com

Ukraine targets Russian army command post using ATACMS missiles

Ukraine’s Armed Forces carried out a strike using U.S.-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles overnight on Feb. 24, targeting a Russian military command facility near Novopetrivka in the occupied...

War in Ukraine – Defence Blog – Military and Defense News

Feb 25, 2026 - defence-blog.com

National Guardsmen awarded French valor medal for rescue of allied special forces

Six New York National Guard soldiers flew an all-night rescue mission in 2023 to reach an ambushed team of French commandos. They just received valor awards from the French army. The post National Gua...

Task & Purpose

Feb 25, 2026 - taskandpurpose.com

Trump awards Medals of Honor to Maduro raid and Korean War pilots

President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover and retired Navy Capt. Royce Williams on Tuesday. The post Trump awards Medals of Honor to Maduro raid and...

Task & Purpose

Feb 25, 2026 - taskandpurpose.com

Ukraine eyes gap between Hungarian and French elections to secure EU membership

Kyiv wants to get a mention of EU accession in 2027 into any peace deal negotiated by Donald Trump.

War in Ukraine – POLITICO

Feb 25, 2026 - politico.eu

Explainer: Russia disrupts Ukraine peace talks with timed false accusations

Every time negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. appear to gain momentum, Moscow introduces a new allegation — drone attacks, assassination attempts, nuclear plots, sabotage — that threat...

The Kyiv Independent

Feb 25, 2026 - kyivindependent.com

The Digital Flight Control Computer: The Brain of Modern Fly-by-Wire Aircraft

In contemporary aviation, the digital flight control computer (DFCC), often referred to as the flight control computer (FCC), stands as the central intelligence behind fly-by-wire (FBW) systems. This ...

Aviation and Defense Market Reports

Feb 25, 2026 - aviationanddefensemarketreports.com

Ukraine war latest: Claiming Ukraine threat, Orban deploys troops to 'protect energy infrastructure'

Key developments on Feb. 25:Claiming Ukraine threat, Orban deploys troops to 'protect energy infrastructure'Corruption exposed in aircraft shelter project, Ukrainian military officials detainedZelensk...

The Kyiv Independent

Feb 25, 2026 - kyivindependent.com

Who showed up — and who didn’t — for Kyiv’s big day

Presented by Amazon

War in Ukraine – POLITICO

Feb 25, 2026 - politico.eu

Ukrainian SOF struck an enemy S-400 “Triumf” air defense system and destroyed a Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile and gun system in Crimea. 25.02.2026

submitted by /u/GermanDronePilot

Reddit : Welcome to Ukraine - Ласкаво просимо в Україну!

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

Russian Logistics Hub Hit by FPV Drones

submitted by /u/No-Meal2561

Reddit : News & Events Surrounding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

Trump, Zelenskyy Speak By Phone Ahead Of Geneva Talks As Pressure Mounts For Tougher Line On Russia

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke by phone on February 25, a high-stakes conversation confirmed by both the White House and Kyiv as diplomatic efforts intensi...

Russia Invades Ukraine - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Feb 25, 2026 - rferl.org

Chi può arrestare l’ambizione dell’“America First” che si sta diffondendo in tutto il mondo? – La Cina può farlo.

La Russia da sola potrebbe non essere in grado di far scoppiare la bolla di Trump, ma Cina, Russia e Iran insieme potrebbero riuscirci.

Strategic Culture Foundation

Feb 25, 2026 - strategic-culture.su

No bro this war will be completely different, bro

No no, this is nothing like all those other times. This time military interventionism to topple an oil-rich government in west Asia will lead to peace and democracy. Our soldiers will be greeted as li...

Strategic Culture Foundation

Feb 25, 2026 - strategic-culture.su

The problem with counting military losses in Russia's war

The Kyiv Independent’s Chris York speaks with Olha Polishchuk, a conflict data analyst who tracks military and civilian deaths in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The Kyiv Independent

Feb 25, 2026 - kyivindependent.com

Zelensky dismisses Russia's latest nuclear weapons claim

"Usually, when Russia fails to win on the battlefield, it start looking for nuclear weapons on Ukrainian territory," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The Kyiv Independent

Feb 25, 2026 - kyivindependent.com

Chart of the week: Ukraine's reconstruction needs rise 12% to $588 billion

The total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine is $588 billion, the World Bank said in a new report published Feb. 23, as Russia's full-scale invasion enters its fifth year.Housing, transpor...

The Kyiv Independent

Feb 25, 2026 - kyivindependent.com

Pentagon issues standards for barracks that all services must meet

The new policy applies to both new and existing barracks and is meant to replace previous "inconsistent" guidelines among the military branches. The post Pentagon issues standards for barracks that al...

Task & Purpose

Feb 25, 2026 - taskandpurpose.com

The three big challenges facing Ukraine when the war ends

When a peace deal is reached, it will mark the start of a considerable new challenge: reconstruction.

Ukraine invasion 2022 – The Conversation

Feb 25, 2026 - theconversation.com

War in Ukraine today: latest news, 25 February 2026 (photo)

It has been the 1463  th day of the Ukrainian resistance to the russian military aggression.  What happened in Ukraine today: Here is operational information of the General Staff as of 4 pm:    Since ...

News - Ukrainian Women's Guard

Feb 25, 2026 - uavarta.org

The U.S. Military Must Save Itself Before Saving Others

In 2023, Jennifer Kavanaugh and Jordan Cohen wrote, “The True Military Assistance Tradeoff is Between Israel and Taiwan,” where they argued Washington should place clear boundaries on its military aid...

War on the Rocks

Feb 25, 2026 - warontherocks.com

US and South Korean militaries will have joint drills in March as tensions with North Korea escalate

North Korea has long described the allies' joint exercises as invasion rehearsals.

Military – Daily Press

Feb 25, 2026 - dailypress.com

U.S. and Ukrainian officials to meet in Geneva this week.

NYT > Russia-Ukraine War

Feb 25, 2026 - nytimes.com

Orbán’s gambit to revive his election hopes: A battle against the EU

The Hungarian leader wants to portray his main rival, Péter Magyar, as a stooge of his traditional bogeymen: Brussels and Kyiv. But Magyar is proving hard to typecast.

War in Ukraine – POLITICO

Feb 25, 2026 - politico.eu

Footage circulating online shows the moment of a powerful strike by a "Flamingo" on the Votkinsk Plant in Russia, more than 1,000 km from the border with Ukraine. The plant is considered one of the key manufacturers of ballistic missiles, including the Iskander-M system and the "Oreshnik". Feb 2026

submitted by /u/GermanDronePilot

Reddit : Welcome to Ukraine - Ласкаво просимо в Україну!

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

Enemy Mavics have become pinatas for Wild Hornets anti-aircraft drones

$1 submitted by /u/AlexRoslin

Reddit : Welcome to Ukraine - Ласкаво просимо в Україну!

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

Continuation of the video, where a large Russian hub with equipment and FPV drones was hit by Ukrainian fiber-optic FPV drones, reportedly 50km behind the frontline. 80th Air Assault Brigade, most likely Kursk region. [Published by Ptashka, 25.02.2026.]

submitted by /u/GermanDronePilot

Reddit : Welcome to Ukraine - Ласкаво просимо в Україну!

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

A russian soldier was targeted by DPICM cluster artillery, and then hit by an FPV drone of Ronin Battalion. February 2026. Zaporizhia direction. 65th Mechanized Brigade. Published 25.02.2026

$1 submitted by /u/GermanDronePilot

Reddit : Welcome to Ukraine - Ласкаво просимо в Україну!

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

Musk cutting Starlink to Russia’s drones has delivered ‘enormous’ boost to Ukraine, says frontline general

submitted by /u/theindependentonline

Reddit : News & Events Surrounding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

Ukraine Strikes Deep Into Russia, Wiping Out Warehouse Packed With 10,000 Drones

submitted by /u/WillyNilly1997

Reddit : News & Events Surrounding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

Ukraine Wipes Out ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of Russian Drones and Ammo

submitted by /u/WillyNilly1997

Reddit : News & Events Surrounding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

Ukrainian Forces Destroy Billion-Dollar S-400 Air Defense System in Crimea

submitted by /u/WillyNilly1997

Reddit : News & Events Surrounding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

While global attention is divided, the largest displacement crisis in Europe is deepening

I came to Ukraine in September of last year, well into the fourth year of the war that had already reshaped the country's geography, economy, and daily life. Having worked for decades in conflict sett...

The Kyiv Independent

Feb 25, 2026 - kyivindependent.com

4 Ukrainian defense companies sign partnership deals with European allies valued at nearly $950 million

The Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry said the agreements include cooperation in the production of aerial and ground drones, as well as preparations to scale up products on the European market.

The Kyiv Independent

Feb 25, 2026 - kyivindependent.com

Zelensky, Trump hold phone call ahead of Ukraine-US talks in Geneva

President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone call on Feb. 25 with his American counterpart Donald Trump ahead of planned talks between senior officials from both countries in Geneva.

The Kyiv Independent

Feb 25, 2026 - kyivindependent.com

Kremlin dampens Witkoff's hopes for early Putin-Zelensky meeting

A Kremlin spokesperson questioned "whether there's any point in holding a summit" between Putin and Zelensky as long as the Ukrainian side maintains its current position in negotiations.

The Kyiv Independent

Feb 25, 2026 - kyivindependent.com

The Transatlantic Defense Business Politics Can’t Break

The foundations of the Atlantic alliance are shifting in ways not seen since the early days of the Cold War. Washington is no longer simply urging greater European burden-sharing: It is redefining the...

War on the Rocks

Feb 25, 2026 - warontherocks.com

Thanks, Ukrainians Say, but Please Stop Calling Us Resilient

Ukraine must project strength to secure continued Western support. But its people want the world to know they are not superhuman.

NYT > Russia-Ukraine War

Feb 25, 2026 - nytimes.com

Ukraine Wants to Join the E.U. to Secure Peace. Here’s What to Know.

Negotiators agree that joining the bloc is critical to Kyiv’s future. But obstacles abound, and compromises might forever change how the union works.

NYT > Russia-Ukraine War

Feb 25, 2026 - nytimes.com

Trump’s speech gets a mixed reaction around the world.

NYT > Russia-Ukraine War

Feb 25, 2026 - nytimes.com

Zelensky Says All ‘Flamingo’ Missiles Hit Target in Strike on Sanctioned Russian Missile Plant

$1 submitted by /u/Top-Grass-3615

Reddit : Welcome to Ukraine - Ласкаво просимо в Україну!

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

Zelenskyy promotes Azov commander Prokopenko to brigadier general

submitted by /u/BlackWolfHowling

Reddit : News & Events Surrounding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

Ukraine Hits Russian Army Command Post and Depots in Temporarily Occupied Territories With ATACMS

submitted by /u/WillyNilly1997

Reddit : News & Events Surrounding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

This Is What Canada Is Sending Ukraine: 400+ Armored Vehicles and Expanded Military Support

submitted by /u/WillyNilly1997

Reddit : News & Events Surrounding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

Ukraine’s Elite “Artan” Unit Breaks Russian Lines Near Zaporizhzhia in Coordinated Assault, Video

submitted by /u/WillyNilly1997

Reddit : News & Events Surrounding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

One Strike, Two Explosions—What New Footage Reveals About Ukraine’s FP-5 Cruise Missile

submitted by /u/WillyNilly1997

Reddit : News & Events Surrounding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

Putin bans recruitment of foreign soldiers to placate African allies

submitted by /u/TheTelegraph

Reddit : News & Events Surrounding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

“Attempts to Break Ukraine Have Failed”: Baltic Nations Pledge Fresh Aid on War Anniversary — UNITED24 Media

submitted by /u/BlackWolfHowling

Reddit : News & Events Surrounding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

Lithuania Boosts Ukraine Air Defense with RBS-70 Missile Shipment

submitted by /u/WillyNilly1997

Reddit : News & Events Surrounding Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026 - reddit.com

War in Ukraine today: latest news, 24 February 2026 (photo)

It has been the 1462  th day of the Ukrainian resistance to the russian military aggression.  Today marks the anniversary of the full-scale invasion.   What happened in Ukraine today: Here is operatio...

News - Ukrainian Women's Guard

Feb 24, 2026 - uavarta.org

Protest held after USS Gerald R. Ford docks at Greek island

CHANIA, Greece (AP) — Protesters gathered on the Greek island of Crete late Tuesday following the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier that is part of a major buildup of American forces in the Middle Ea...

Military – Daily Press

Feb 24, 2026 - dailypress.com

Washington warns Ukraine over striking US economic interests in Russia

Kyiv’s ambassador to Washington asserts state department complained after strike on Russian port in November

War in Ukraine

Feb 24, 2026 - ft.com

Ukraine Battlefield Dead Could Reach 500,000 in Fifth Year, Estimates Suggest

Russia has lost as many as 325,000 troops, according to some estimates, with more than 200,000 deaths verified by researchers.

NYT > Russia-Ukraine War

Feb 24, 2026 - nytimes.com