Sat Feb 22 07:54:10 UTC 2025: ## Russia Claims Gains in Ukraine as Drone Attacks Hit Kyiv; Tensions Rise Over Minerals Deal
**Kyiv, Ukraine/Washington D.C.** – Fighting continues on multiple fronts in Ukraine, with Russia claiming the capture of Novolyubivka in the Luhansk region and repelling Ukrainian counter-attacks in Kursk. However, Russia also faced setbacks, including a deadly drone strike on a railway worker near Kyiv. Drone fragments also fell in Kyiv’s Solomyanskyi district, causing minor damage but no casualties. In Zaporizhzhia, a Russian guided bomb attack injured three people, adding to the human cost of the conflict.
Amidst the ongoing military actions, the diplomatic landscape remains complex. A surprising shift came from former US President Donald Trump, who reversed his previous stance and acknowledged Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He urged Kyiv to sign a critical minerals agreement with Washington, a move seen as crucial to ending the war, while simultaneously claiming Ukraine possesses no leverage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed ongoing negotiations for a “fair” agreement with the US, but stressed Europe’s need to increase its efforts for peace. He spoke with leaders from Germany and Poland, securing their support for Ukrainian inclusion in future peace talks. Polish President Andrzej Duda urged Zelenskyy to maintain a cooperative relationship with Trump. However, tensions are rising, with reports suggesting US negotiators might threaten to cut off Ukraine’s access to Starlink internet service to pressure Kyiv on the minerals deal. Separately, a Polish court sentenced a Ukrainian man to eight years in prison for plotting sabotage on behalf of Russia.
First Piper 