Victory Chronicles-DAY 1094

A recent public opinion poll conducted by the London-based YouGov socialogical firm  finds that Americans are nearly twice as likely to view U.S. President Donald Trump as a “dictator,” compared to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The survey, held on Feb. 19 with 4,071 U.S. respondents aged 18 years and older, asked them whether they considered various world leaders to be dictators. According to the results, 41 percent of Americans view Trump as a dictator, while 45 percent do not, with an uncertainty rate of 14 percent.

By comparison, only 22 percent of respondents labeled Zelenskyy a dictator, with 45 percent disagreeing with that characterization, and 33 percent expressing uncertainty.

The survey comes amid heightened tensions between the two national leaders. Trump reportedly referred to Zelenskyy as a “dictator without elections,” following Ukraine’s refusal to sign an agreement with Washington regarding the sale of rare earth metals.

When asked about the dispute, U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubiostated that “President Trump is very upset at President Zelenskyy,” citing concerns over what he described as a lack of gratitude for U.S. aid and Ukraine’s position on a natural resources deal.

The poll, first reported by U.S.-based Newsweek magazine, also questioned respondents about Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin, though specific results for him were not included in the available data.

Ukraine increases drone production by 10 times. Ukraine’s production of drones in January increased tenfold compared to the same month of the previous year, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported.

According to the head of government, in 2023-2024, Ukraine significantly expanded its domestic production of various types of weapons:

• Artillery production increased threefold
• Armored personnel carriers increased fivefold
• Anti-tank weapons doubled
• Ammunition production increased by 2.5 times

“Currently, we produce about one-third of the weapons we need. The government’s goal is to increase domestic weapons production to at least half of our current requirements,” Shmyhal stated.

Russian bombs kill one, injure two in Eastern Ukrainian city. Russian aircraft dropped three guided bombs on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka on Feb. 20, killing one man and injuring two others, regional officials said.

The attack damaged nine private homes and three non-residential buildings, according to Vadym Filashkin, head of the Donetsk regional military administration.

“This morning Russians dropped three aerial bombs on the city. A 40-year-old man was killed and two people sustained minor injuries,” said Filashkin.

Prosecutors said the strikes occurred at 10:35 a.m., hitting a residential area. They identified the bombs as FAB-250s equipped with glide kits.

“A 40-year-old resident died at the scene from severe injuries. A woman and man, aged 63 and 64, suffered blast injuries, shrapnel wounds and concussions,” the regional prosecutor’s office said. “The injured received medical assistance and were taken to the hospital.” Kostiantynivka is located about 12 miles (20 kilometers) from the front line in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region.

Kharkiv Regions rescuers address aftermath of Russian Air strike on Zolochiv community. According to preliminary information, 5 people were injured when an aerial bomb struck a roadway near the residential sector of Zolochiv town. The attack damaged residential homes and administrative buildings, and caused a passenger vehicle to catch fire. Emergency responders quickly extinguished the blaze. 

Key Takeaways:

• The Financial Times (FT) published an investigation on February 20 supporting ISW’s long-held assessment that Russian military commanders are either complicit in or directly enabling subordinates to execute Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in clear violation of international law.
• FT’s investigation suggests that more senior Russian commanders may also be complicit in issuing orders to execute Ukrainian POWs.
• Senior Ukrainian intelligence officials reported that North Korean forces are conducting joint operations with Russian forces in Kursk Oblast and are gaining new combat capabilities.
• US Special Representative for Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on February 20.
• The Kremlin is likely attempting to portray the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as more aligned with its stance on the war in Ukraine than the PRC is willing to publicly message.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk, and Russian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk and Velyka Novosilka.
• Russia is reportedly increasing its production of glide bombs and modernizing its cruise missiles.

Senior soldier Artem Movchan, nicknamed Cerberus and Parenok, was killed on 11 March 2022 during the defence of the city of Mariupol, Donetsk region. The defender was 33 years old.

Movchan was born in Zhytomyr. After school, he graduated from the Department of Management at Alfred Nobel University in Dnipro. He took part in the Revolution of Dignity. Since 2014, he has served in the Azov Separate Special Forces Detachment. He took part in the ATO/JFO. 

‘During the full-scale invasion, my son was in western Ukraine. He was training to become a sergeant. Together with his comrades, he immediately went to the semi-occupied Mariupol. There were about 30 of them. With the help of volunteers, the guys found a bus and weapons. They spent four days breaking into the city. Artem returned to his unit and defended Mariupol. During the breakthrough at the Melekino checkpoint, their group engaged in a battle with an enemy group covered by two tanks. His comrades-in-arms recall that Movchan destroyed an enemy tank and infantry with a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher. Later, he helped to carry the dead and wounded soldiers out of the destroyed checkpoint. He was the last to leave. The occupants were shooting from a grenade launcher. Artem received a serious injury to his neck, which was incompatible with life…’, said Natalia Movchan, his mother. 

The last time she saw her son was in December 2021. They were celebrating the New Year together.  

‘We last spoke on the phone on 28 February. As always, he reassured me: ‘Mummy, I’m lucky. Everything will be fine… I’m sorry, this is my job. Who else but me will defend the country?’ On 6 March, he made himself known by text. And that was it… Artem was my only child. He grew up a patriot. In high school, he joined a Cossack club. He was a patriot of his country, devoted to his service. He was sincere, energetic, and loved justice. My mother and I raised him like that. In eight months, I lost my mother and son,’ Natalia said. 

Movchan was awarded the medals ‘Defender of Mariupol’, ‘For Valour and Loyalty’, ‘For Military Service to Ukraine’, ‘For Participation in the ATO’, ‘For Defence of Mariupol’, ‘For Sacrifice and Love for Ukraine’ and the Order of Valiant Service. Posthumously, he was awarded the Order ‘For Courage’, III class.

The warrior was buried on 7 September 2023 in Kyiv in the columbarium wall of the Lukianivske Cemetery. Movchan is survived by his mother.

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

• Russia wants to declare ‘victory’ over Ukraine on Feb. 24, Ukrainian intel claims
• German chancellor candidate Merz compares Trump’s statements on Ukraine to what Putin has been saying for years
• Reuters: Ukraine loses 40% of gas production due to Russian strikes
• UK intelligence: Russia forces conscripts to sign indefinite contracts due to casualties
• Estonian intelligence: Russians losing valuable equipment in Donetsk Oblast
• US House speaker: no appetite for another Ukraine funding bill