Victory Chronicles-DAY 1092

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, saying they helped Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin emerge from his shell of international isolation.

“The United States has helped Putin break out of years-long isolation,” Zelensky said during a news briefing in Kyiv. Zelenskyy expressed concern about shifting narratives that increasingly portray Russia as a “victim” in the conflict. He also criticized U.S. officials for allegedly referring to Russia’s invasion as a “conflict” rather than a war.

“If Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio is officially referring to this as a ‘conflict’ — this needs verification — then that is a softening of their stance,” Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president said Russia appears “quite pleased” that international discussions now include them, adding that the situation “is not benefiting Ukraine.”

About 1,000 North Korean soldiers are receiving training on advanced military equipment in Russia, significantly improving their combat capabilities, a Ukrainian intelligence official said on Feb. 18. Vadym Skibitsky, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence, told South Korean newspaper The Chosun that North Korean forces are quickly mastering modern tactics and strategies, including drone operations.

Russian drone strike damages clinic, kindergarten in Odesaю. Russian drones damaged civilian infrastructure in Odesa, injuring four innocent civiliansincluding a child, local officials said.

The attack struck a children’s medical clinic and kindergarten, along with residential buildings and cars. All four injured victims were hospitalized in moderate condition, according to emergency services.

The strike caused power outages across parts of the Odesa district, with critical facilities operating on backup generators. Heating services were suspended for some residents in the Kyivskyi district of the Black Sea port city. Firefighters have extinguished all blazes caused by the attack, the State Emergency Service reported.

Overnight on the same day, Russian guided bombs struck the Donetsk regional town of Kostyatynivka, killing two civilians, and injuring two others. 

Ukrainian forces hit Russian positions in Zaporizhzhia region. Ukraine’s military released a video showing precision strikes on Russian military positions in the southern Zaporizhzhia region in Chumatske.

The Air Force targeted Russia’s 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, destroying fortifications and a drone launch site used for attacks on Ukrainian territory, according to the General Staff.

Ukrainian officials said the strike destroyed a Russian base and defensive positions.

Key Takeaways:

• Russian and American officials met in Saudi Arabia for bilateral talks about the war in Ukraine on February 18, but Russia continues to display no indications that it is prepared to make any meaningful concessions on Ukraine as assessed by Western intelligence and US officials in line with ISW’s longstanding assessment.
• Many recent Russian statements show that the Kremlin remains uninterested in engaging in good faith negotiations and retains his objective of destroying the Ukrainian state while the Kremlin has offered no public indication that it would materially compromise.
• Many recent Russian statements show that Putin remains uninterested in engaging in good faith negotiations and retains his objective of destroying the Ukrainian state while the Kremlin has offered no public indication that it would materially compromise. 
• Russian officials at the bilateral meeting continued to signal the Kremlin’s unwillingness to negotiate on the war in Ukraine and determination to achieve its maximalist objectives in Ukraine.
• Zelensky, in contrast to Kremlin officials, continues to demonstrate Ukraine’s willingness to compromise to bring about an enduring end to the war.
• Russian officials in Saudi Arabia began what will likely be an ongoing effort to push the United States into accepting Russian offers of economic and investment measures in lieu of any actual Russian concessions on Ukraine.
• Dmitriev attempted to frame Russian-offered economic incentives as more beneficial for the US than for Russia, but in reality Russia needs economic relief as soon as possible to stave off looming crises in 2025 and 2026.
• US officials continue to meet with European leaders about support for Ukraine.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Borova, Toretsk, and Velyka Novosilka.
• A Russian milblogger and former Storm-Z instructor continued to complain that the Russian military command’s lack of response to systemic issues is limiting Russian advances near Pokrovsk.
• Russian opposition outlet SOTA reported on February 18 that Republic of Mordovia Head Artyom Zdunov announced that regional authorities are raising one-time payments for recruits who sign a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) from 400,000 rubles ($4,369) to 1.1 million rubles ($12,015).
• Russian forces continue to deploy wounded and medically unfit soldiers to the frontline in an effort to address personnel shortages.

Ukrainian Soldier Dmytro “Sevas” Kupchyk killed in Donetsk region. Jr. Sgt. Dmytro Kupchyk, 21, was killed on March 6, near the village of Orlivka in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. He died of his wounds while storming enemy positions.

Kupchyk was born in the Crimean Peninsula port city of Sevastopol. After high school, he moved to Kyiv, where he studied automotive mechanics at the National Transport University for two years. During holidays, he worked at a service station and had a passion for cars, their repair, and different models. He also loved spending time in nature, fishing, hiking in the forest, and playing soccer with friends.

During Russia’s full-scale invasion, Kupchyk joined the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served as a deputy combat vehicle commander and a gunner-operator in the Hydra unit.

Kupchyk received several awards for his service.

“My son is a hero, but that does not ease the pain in my heart and soul, because he was meant to live in his native Ukraine,” his mother said. “From the first days of the war, he could not stay away—he joined a local military training center and later guarded a critical facility. But ‘that’s not it,’ he told me. He wanted to become a soldier, and he did, defending his country in the middle of hell. He gave everything to protect Ukraine. He was not afraid, he did not stand aside, and he did not become a coward in his young 20s.”

Kupchyk was buried in the village of Shpykiv in Ukraine’s Vinnytsia region.

He is survived by his parents, Olha Stepanivna and Volodymyr Mykolaiovych, his brother Oleksii, and his uncle Viktor.

*Dmytro’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

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