Russian forces drone‑strike Odesa, killing a civilian
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- Russian forces launched a drone attack on Odesa overnight, killing an elderly woman and damaging residential buildings (Ukraine's State Emergency Service).
- Ukrainian forces carried out a massive drone attack on a village in the Russian‑occupied Luhansk region, wounding at least 19 people (Russian TASS).
- NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte said Russia has suffered about 65,000 soldier losses in the past two months and that NATO is strong enough to deter a Russian attack (Munich Security Conference).
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio estimated Russia is losing 7,000‑8,000 soldiers per week in the war (Munich).
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he spoke with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner ahead of Geneva ceasefire talks, and urged U.S. President Trump to “get moving” on peace negotiations.
- Ukrainian chief negotiator Rustem Umerov said Kyiv will only accept either maintaining current lines of control or establishing a free‑trade zone in the disputed front line.
- French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot said some G7 countries are ready to advance a maritime services ban on Russian oil and that the EU is preparing its 20th sanctions package against Moscow.
Why it matters: The surge in drone attacks inflames civilian suffering in Odesa and occupied territories, while NATO and U.S. officials cite massive Russian personnel losses, sharpening Ukraine’s bargaining position in Geneva talks and underscoring the urgency for a monitoring mission and potential free‑trade zone.
