Ukrainian counterstrike in the Kursk region and the National Selection for Eurovision 2025: key highlights from February 8.
Ukrainian Forces Launched a Counterstrike in the Kursk Region
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces successfully executed a counterstrike in the Kursk region, advancing 2.5 kilometers into Russian territory.
Previously, Ukrainian forces eliminated about 20 Russian and North Korean officers as a result of a strike on a command post, the head of state reported.
HUR: Russian National Involved in the Murder in the Village of Groza Has Died
Russian military officer Konstantin Nagayko, implicated in the murder of civilians in the village of Groza in Kharkiv region in 2023, died from injuries sustained in an explosion, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense reported.
Zelensky: Putin is Increasing the Army by Another 100,000 Soldiers
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is preparing not for negotiations, but for the continuation of war, and not only against Ukraine.
According to the president, Russians are currently increasing their army by more than 100,000 soldiers.
Russian Su-25 Shot Down in Donetsk Region
The combined anti-aircraft missile unit of the 28th Mechanized Brigade and the 57th Territorial Defense Brigade shot down a Russian Su-25 fighter jet in the Toretsk direction.
After the plane was downed, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter attempted to evacuate the pilot but was also targeted and likely damaged.
Training of Ukrainians on Mirage 2000 Showcased in France
The French army released a video of the training of Ukrainian pilots on Mirage 2000-5 aircraft.
Recall that on February 6, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu and then his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov announced that the first Mirage 2000 aircraft had arrived in Ukraine from France.
Scholz: Discussions on Peacekeepers in Ukraine Are Premature
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz believes that the idea of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine should not be discussed at this time. Otherwise, he stated, it implies that Europe assumes Ukraine will not regain part of the occupied territories.
Poplavsky Accused of Harassment
Graduate of the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts Vladislava Korennaya accused Rector Mykhailo Poplavsky of harassment. According to her, Poplavsky suggested playing billiards, and in case of losing, she would have to pay either with a kiss or with money.
Poplavsky has not yet commented on these allegations. We also attempted to obtain a comment from the university administration.
Evening of the National Selection for “Eurovision-2025”
On the evening of February 8, the winner of the National Selection for “Eurovision-2025” will be announced.
As in previous years, the representative of Ukraine for the song contest will be determined based on the voting results of the jury (50%) and the audience (50%).
Other Important News of the Day
- The Baltic States disconnected from the energy systems of Russia and Belarus.
- In Zaporizhzhia, teenagers killed and set fire to a dog to take a photo.
- Orphans from a children's home in Lviv region reported that a police officer "beat out" a confession from a child regarding theft.
- Reuters reports that the prosecutor of the ICC has been included in Trump's sanctions list, who issued an arrest warrant for Putin.