The Ukrainian daring the Winter Olympics to disqualify him over war tribute helmet
Ukrainian racer Vladyslav Heraskevych says he is prepared to be kicked out of the Winter Olympics for wearing a banned helmet featuring images of athletes killed during the Russian war – insisting he will not betray those who have lost their lives.
But the 27-year-old hit back and slammed the IOC for comparing the war to other conflicts around the world, as a major row erupted.
Arpan Rai12 February 2026 08:45
Another 2,600 Kyiv buildings without heat after major Russian attack
Nearly 2,600 more apartment buildings were left without heating in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv following a Russian attack overnight, mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Klitschko said the buildings were located both on the left and right bank of the Dnipro River, in four city districts.
More than 1,100 apartment buildings remained without heating as a result of the previous attacks, he added.
Arpan Rai12 February 2026 08:30
Arpan Rai12 February 2026 08:12
Russia attacks another thermal power plant in Ukraine, knocking out power for thousands
Russian forces have attacked a thermal power plant in Ukraine overnight, causing significant damage to the plant’s equipment, Ukraine’s major private energy company DTEK said this morning.
“This is the eleventh massive attack on the company’s thermal power plants since October 2025,” DTEK said on its Telegram channel but did not share more details on the location of the attack.
Nearly 300,000 people were left without electricity and water supply in Ukraine’s southern city of Odesa after a Russian attack, deputy prime minister Oleksiy Kuleba said.
He added that nearly 200 buildings in the city were left without heating while 10,000 consumers were also without heating in the southeastern city of Dnipro.
Arpan Rai12 February 2026 08:05
Kyiv comes under ‘massive’ attack from Russian missiles
The Ukrainian capital Kyiv came under a “massive” attack from Russian missiles in the early hours todaay, with various buildings hit in the assault, officials said.
“A mass attack on the capital is still underway,” mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram.
Klitschko said there had been hits on both residential and non-residential buildings on both sides of the Dnipro River bisecting the city.
Fragments had fallen near two residential buildings in one district, but no fire had broken out and no casualties were reported.
Emergency medical teams had been dispatched.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the capital’s military administration, said at least one hit had been recorded in an eastern suburb.
The southeastern city of Dnipro also came under attack, regional governor Oleksandr Ganzha said on Telegram. Some private homes and cars sustained damage, but there were no indications of any casualties.
Air raid alerts remained in effect in both Kyiv and Dnipro well after midnight.
(Emergency Service Of Ukraine)
Arpan Rai12 February 2026 07:50
Russia attacks Ukraine with 24 ballistic missiles and 219 drones overnight
Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles, one cruise missile and 219 drones in overnight attacks against Ukraine, the country’s air force said this morning.
Air defence units shot down or neutralised 16 missiles and 197 drones, the Ukraine Air Force said in a post on Telegram.
It added that the cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro and Odesa were the main targets of the strike.
Arpan Rai12 February 2026 07:48
WhatsApp says Russia tried to fully block services
Russia has attempted to block Meta’s WhatsApp for all users in the country, a company spokesperson said, as Moscow pushes people to use its own home-grown platforms and seeks greater control over the online space.
WhatsApp said the block was part of Russia’s efforts to drive users to a “state-owned surveillance app.”
“We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected,” the company said.
Russia has clashed with foreign tech providers since Moscow’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, enacting strict rules around online commentary regarding the war and opposing platforms’ efforts to keep users’ messages private.
Russian authorities are instead pushing a state-backed rival app called “MAX”, which critics claim could be used to track users.
MPs have been warned about Russian-linked attempts to target them on messaging apps like WhatsApp (PA) (PA Archive)
Arpan Rai12 February 2026 07:40
Zelensky says Ukraine needs ‘specific date’ for entry into EU
Volodymyr Zelensky has sought a “specific date” from the European Union to formally join the bloc.
“Ukraine will do everything to be technically ready for accession by 2027,” Zelensky told journalists when asked about the reported partial membership.
“We will at least accomplish the main steps. Second, I want a specific date. I am absolutely confident that if in the agreement… there is no date, then Russia will do everything to block the process.”
Earlier, a European Commission spokesperson told the Kyiv Independent that the EU considers Ukraine’s accession efforts part of the ongoing peace process, but possible entry dates are not yet speculated.
Zelensky said he would not sign a peace agreement with the US, Russia, and Europe if the agreement did not include a specific date for Ukraine’s EU accession.
“This… is about security guarantees, security guarantees for Ukraine,” he said.
“These are specific details, with a specific date. And my signature today, on the 20-point plan, the plan to end the war, guarantees Ukrainians that there will be a specific date for our accession,” he said.
Arpan Rai12 February 2026 07:29
Zelensky calls for more US pressure on Russia to end war by summer
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the US needs to apply more pressure on Russia in order to end the war by summer.
The Ukrainian leader had previously said that intelligence had revealed that US officials aimed to seal a peace deal by June.
“It depends not only on Ukraine, but also on America, which must exert pressure – excuse me for saying so, but there is no other way – it must exert pressure on Russia,” he said on Wednesday.
Arpan Rai12 February 2026 07:15
Putin’s troops lose Starlink access and territory in Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainians advance
A senior Nato official has confirmed Ukraine’s gains in the southern Zaporizhzhia region after Russian forces lost access to Starlink.
Last week, Starlink internet terminals used by Russian troops in Ukraine were deactivated, dealing what one official said was a big setback for Moscow that had disrupted assault operations.
Russian forces have made unauthorised use of thousands of satellite-based Starlink internet connections for secure communications after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv says.
“Taking that link away has put the Russians in somewhat of a command and control predicament,” the official told reporters ahead of a meeting of Nato defence ministers.
“Whatever alternative Russia comes up with is probably not going to be quite as effective.”
Shortly after the loss of access to Starlink, Ukraine’s armed forces confirmed they have regained the village of Kosivtseve in Zaporizhzhia.
Arpan Rai12 February 2026 07:05
