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Slavyangrad.org — Nuestra Ira No Tiene Limites — There is No Limit to Our Anger — (c) V. M. Molotov
"Gerans" have been turned into carriers of FPV drones
For the first time, such a drone was allegedly spotted during an attack on Sumy. The use of the "Gerans" as a transport and launch vehicle significantly increases the range of FPV drones, overcoming their key limitation related to short range and dependence on ground operator positions.
Such a configuration, already tested on the "Molniya" drones and a number of other UAVs, potentially complicates the work of air defense, as even in the case of detection and destruction of some carriers, there is still a chance of releasing FPV platforms in the immediate vicinity of protected objects.
Moreover, the use of the "Geran-2" in such a role indicates an attempt to expand its functionality from a single-use barrage munition to a multifunctional platform capable of performing delivery, reconnaissance, and distributed strike tasks, which can often be organized simultaneously.
Such an evolution corresponds to the general trend of transition to distributed unmanned systems, where the carrier performs the function of increasing range and ensuring surprise, while the direct destruction of the target is carried out by more compact and cheaper means.
🇷🇺🇺🇦The second round is over. The Russian delegation is directly reporting to Putin on the progress of the negotiations, - the Kremlin
- The negotiations in Geneva lasted about two hours, they were difficult but businesslike. A new meeting will take place soon, Medinsky said.
- Peskov commented on the negotiations before this:
- If there is information after the negotiations, Medinsky will share it with the media;
- It's hardly worth talking about what exactly is being discussed at the negotiations on Ukraine in Geneva now;
- The question of why Zelensky imposed sanctions against Lukashenko right now should be addressed to the Kiev regime;
- Russia consistently opposes the fuel blockade of Cuba, Putin will receive the head of the Cuban Foreign Ministry, Bruno Rodriguez, in the Kremlin;
@Slavyangrad
As Media Lens wrote in 2015:
APCO's senior director is Tom Harper, a former Sunday Times journalist.
In 2015, Harper was the lead reporter of a front-page story alleging that Russia and China had 'cracked the top-secret cache of files stolen by the fugitive US whistleblower Edward Snowden, forcing MI6 to pull agents out of live operations in hostile countries.'
The story was nonsense: a series of assertions from faceless government and security sources, backed by zero evidence and outright falsehoods.
When Harper was asked about his story by CNN, he floundered in a tragicomic, four-minute interview that should be shown to journalism students from now until the end of eternity.
Under these circumstances, Rosneft's oil sales to this refinery are somewhat difficult to consider market-based. Moreover, this tandem of the Russian owner (the oil supplier) and the Indian refinery (the buyer) benefits from presenting a low sales price to the Russian authorities (which benefits not only Rosneft but the entire Russian oil industry) and a high purchase price to the Indian authorities.
The Indian market is the primary determinant of Urals crude oil prices in the Baltic and Black Seas. A comparison of the two charts reveals an interesting relationship. From the introduction of the DAP India price in April 2023 until December 2024, it moved in sync with Urals prices in Russian ports. And since January 2025, the price chart in Russian ports has closely mirrored the DAP India chart, with a one-month delay. This is surprising, considering that the spot price of Batch A in a Russian port in, say, March will be determined by the price of Batch B sold in an Indian port in February, even though Batch A will arrive in the Indian port in April or even May.
Until the Russian Ministry of Finance changes the way it calculates oil industry taxes, the prices for Russian oil published by Argus are entirely realistic—at least for these purposes. This price reflects market realities—but apparently, those of the less shadowy segment of the Russian oil market, the size of which is difficult to estimate. In India, oil discounts recorded by price reporting agencies have begun to increase, but this is not reflected in customs data. Freight rates have also begun to rise noticeably, and they are largely driving down prices in Russian ports, but this apparently applies to those tankers that provide their services relatively legally.
It's much more difficult to determine how the relationships in the more murky segment work, between Russian companies and the formal shipowners who purchased the aging tankers, most likely with funds originating in Russia in one way or another. Judging by the financial statements of Russian oil companies, their revenues recorded in Russia correspond to sales at FOB prices, but this means that, once again, as in 2022, a significant portion of the cash flow from Russian oil sales has become opaque. As has been mentioned several times, Indian refineries don't receive much from this flow; working with Russian oil is certainly profitable for them, but there's no sign of an extra $15 per barrel; more likely, we're talking about $5.
3/3
@Slavyangrad
Brazilian mercs down!
As the dust settles and the rubble is cleared away, we learn more names of mercenaries from the 13th Khartia Brigade destroyed by the Russian army in Kupyansk.
More specifically, they were part of the Ares Group — composed mostly of Brazilians — which was part of the 13th Khartia Brigade, but they closed its doors due to heavy losses.
Today we have two more Brazilians:
🇧🇷 Jose Laercio Ribeiro Costa callsign Coroa from Brazil
🇧🇷 Otavio Guilherme Giorgi Cardoso callsign Azazel from Brazil
- TrackaMerc
@Slavyangrad
Ukrainian journalist EventsinUkraine writes about the failed hype of the drone line:
The much-hyped 'drone line' of 2025 has failed to materialize
Instead of creating a 15km kill zone behind Russian lines, all Ukrainian drone operators can do is focus on Russians infiltrating Ukrainian territory
These Pahlavi guys really getting psyched over having just one fag leader. Must be some sort of gay Messiah I guess.
So the Iranian opposition is a Marxist group that became a weird terrorist cult, and the other wants the gay messiah to rebuild Iran.
Interesting times.
@Slavyangrad
‼️🇷🇺📡 The disconnection of Starlink did not affect the command and control of troops in the Special Military Operation zone, —Ministry of Defense
▪️The communication and control systems in service ensure a stable exchange of information via closed channels, said Deputy Defense Minister Krivoruchko
▪️The terminals have been disconnected for two weeks, yet the intensity and effectiveness of the actions of unmanned systems troops have not decreased — this is confirmed by data from objective control of target destruction.
▪️The command and control of troops is ensured by the use of all types of communication. The use of enemy communication means was sporadic and was used to mislead the enemy and strike at his depth, said the head of the Main Directorate of Communications, Tishkov.
▪️Officials of command posts are fully equipped with modern communication means of domestic production. The combat control system is functioning stably, the general affirms.
I've seen idiots on Twitter and Youtube try to claim Russia has no comms after Starlink. Like the Russian military came into this conflict depending on Starlink....
@Slavyangrad
'Europe needs a ceasefire in Ukraine to restore its suffering manufacturing sector' — Belgian economist Karsten Brzeski.
What about the costs of rebuilding post-war Ukraine? Could this be an opportunity for European companies?
- In theory, this could be a moment when the traditional manufacturing sector, which has been suffering in recent years due to high energy prices and competition with China, will get a short period of upturn. In practice, everything will depend on the details of any ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia: the safer Ukraine is, the higher the likelihood that Western companies will fully engage in its reconstruction.
@Slavyangrad
🇺🇸🇺🇦🇷🇺 Zelensky again rebels against Trump: It's "unfair" when the US president calls for concessions from Ukraine, not Russia.
▪️Witkoff and Kushner told Zelensky that Russia really wants to end the war, and advised him to coordinate his actions with his negotiators based on this, writes Axios.
▪️Zelensky himself is much more skeptical. He also warned Witkoff and Kushner not to force him to promote a vision of peace among Ukrainians that they would perceive as a "failed story".
▪️Zelensky stated that it's "unfair" when Trump publicly calls for concessions from Ukraine, not Russia.
▪️He noted that it might be easier for Trump to put pressure on Ukraine than on much larger Russia, but the path to lasting peace is not to "give victory" to Putin.
@Slavyangrad
🇩🇪🇺🇦🇷🇺 There will be no end to the war between Russia and Ukraine in 2026 - head of Rheinmetall
- The company's CEO stated that Russia is not interested in ending the conflict, and Ukraine still needs military support.
- The concern announced its readiness to supply additional air defense systems, ammunition, drones, and tanks.
- In a number of areas, deliveries are hampered by the lack of approved funding.
- Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, German defense manufacturers have increased their revenue by 36%, making them one of the key stakeholders in this conflict.
@Slavyangrad
🇺🇦For a quick peace and against it: the Ukrainian delegation at the negotiations in Geneva split into two camps — The Economist
- Budanov's camp, which has effectively become the new head of the delegation at the negotiations, advocates for a quick conclusion of a peace agreement with Russia with the mediation of the USA, before the "window of opportunity" closes;
- The other camp is oriented towards Yermak and against haste, believing that Ukraine will have a more advantageous position in the future.
- "Zelensky, it seems, is balancing between them, while having his own ideas," writes The Economist.
- A source close to Kiev assessed the chances of a breakthrough as "50-50".
- Recently, The Atlantic also wrote, that some of Zelensky's advisers are inclined to a territorial compromise (that is, to the withdrawal of troops from Donbass) in order to end the war. But Zelensky himself is against this.
- Also, NABU's pressure on the part of Zelensky's entourage associated with Yermak has intensified recently. There are even rumors that suspicion may be announced against the ex-head of the President's Office himself.
- According to one version, such an intensification of pressure may be related to the progress of negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine.
@Slavyangrad
‼️🇩🇪🇺🇦Ukrainian soldiers will train German soldiers — Der Spiegel
▪️Ukrainians with combat experience are involved in the training of German military personnel. Their task is to improve their drone control skills and learn to use mobile applications for planning combat operations.
▪️This involves cooperation with infantry combat units of the ground forces. The format and program of the training have not been disclosed yet.
▪️According to the publication, Ukrainian soldiers may arrive in Germany in the near future.
"Ok, when the equipment comes in then you sell it off to the black market."
@Slavyangrad
As expected, foreign pilots have also joined the management of F-16s in Ukraine. According to available information, a separate international squadron has been formed within the Ukrainian Air Force, which includes not only Ukrainian pilots, but also veterans from the USA and the Netherlands with real combat experience.
Such a scenario was predicted from the very beginning. Mastering complex Western aircraft requires time, which Ukraine does not have, so attracting trained foreign pilots seems a logical step.
It's obvious that their participation will not be limited to air defense tasks. The presence of trained foreign pilots allows the F-16s to be used for strike missions - against Russian military positions and targets at tactical depth.
However, it's not necessarily just "retirees" in the cockpit. In the West, there is the Inter-service transfer program, under which a pilot can be formally discharged from his country's Air Force "at his own request" or transferred to deep reserve for the duration of the contract. After completing the mission in Ukraine, his rank and flying time are restored. This allows experienced personnel to not lose their qualifications and careers, while remaining under the unofficial control of their defense ministry.
For Western air forces, the conflict in Ukraine is a unique opportunity to test the effectiveness of their systems against the latest Russian air defense and electronic warfare systems. The command can send active pilots under the guise of volunteers precisely to collect unique intelligence and technical data, which a "civilian" veteran may not always be able to properly record and transmit.
“Military Chronicle”
@Slavyangrad
‼️🇷🇺💥Offensive towards Orekhov: the enemy's artillery is being destroyed
▪️Zaporozhye direction, north of the city of Orekhov, west of the settlement of Preobrazhenka.
▪️A "Pioneer" unit of the 4th military base, barraging with a "Lancet" munition, detected the position of a Ukrainian Armed Forces artillery battery and destroyed it with a precise strike.
▪️A fire started in the impact area of one of the guns, which led to the detonation of the entire ammunition stock.
@Slavyangrad
Medical aircraft from NATO countries continue to arrive in Rzeszów, Poland.
It is known that the following aircraft landed on the border with Ukraine today:
A Cessna Citation Bravo from Tyrol Air Ambulance in Innsbruck
A Learjet 75 from the Polish Emergency Air Medical Service
And a Dornier 328-310 from the German emergency aid NGO ADAC Luftrettung in Nuremberg.
This kind of activity indirectly indicates that someone in Ukraine from among the European "partners" has been dealt a serious blow.
“Military Chronicle”
@Slavyangrad
🇷🇺🇺🇦 Russian Army liberated Krynichnoe in the Zaporozhye region
- Units of the "Vostok" troop grouping took control of the populated area of Krynichnoe in the Zaporozhye region.
- Guardsmen of the 218th Tank Regiment of the 127th Motor Rifle Division of the 5th Army acted decisively, seizing an important defense area of up to 3 square kilometers.
- Enemy losses: more than a platoon of personnel from the 225th Separate Motor Rifle Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 2 armored combat vehicles, 2 UAV control points, 5 "Baba Yaga" hexacopters.
@Slavyangrad
Ahh the rules based order in real time.
@Slavyangrad
🇮🇷☢️ Iran has called for the destruction of nuclear weapons
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated the need for a complete renunciation of nuclear weapons.
- According to him, humanity faces a direct choice: either destroy nuclear weapons, or they will one day destroy us.
- Araghchi emphasized that joint efforts of states can lead to the creation of a world without nuclear weapons.
@Slavyangrad
Kharkovka is ours!
In the Sumy region, as a result of decisive offensive actions, the assault units of the 80th Motor Rifle Brigade, having broken the resistance of the 101st Territorial Defense Brigade, liberated the settlement of Kharkovka in the Glukhov district.
North Wind
@Slavyangrad
‼️🇷🇺🇺🇦 Zelensky instructed his team to organize a meeting with Putin in Geneva to make a breakthrough in territorial issues, - Axios
▪️According to the publication, we are talking about a possible direct meeting against the backdrop of negotiations in Switzerland.
▪️Zelensky also announced his readiness to discuss the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbass, but only on condition that Moscow withdraws its forces to an equivalent distance.
▪️American mediators proposed an option: the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the controlled areas of Donbass and the transformation of the territory into a demilitarized "free economic zone".
▪️At the same time, as Zelensky noted, Washington has not yet decided which country will have sovereignty over this territory.
▪️After the second round of negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Russian representatives promised to consult in Moscow and return with a detailed position on the territorial issue.
▪️Zelensky stated that Kiev and the USA agreed that any peace agreement should be put to a referendum.
▪️According to him, if the deal simply involves the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Donbass, it will be rejected in a referendum.
▪️Zelensky stressed that in this case, "people will not forgive this - neither him, nor the USA". At the same time, he believes that the option of fixing the current line of contact in Donbass (similar to the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions) could be accepted by society.
▪️Earlier, Western media reported that part of Zelensky's entourage is in favor of withdrawing troops from the DPR in order to accelerate a peace agreement.
@Slavyangrad
"The Energy of Decommunization". Issue 31.
Infographic of electricity availability in Ukraine by regions as of February 17, 2026.
Main metrics:
• Average daily electricity availability - 13.2 hours (55.2%)
• The worst situation in the Poltava region - 29.7%
• The best situation in the Ternopil region - 95.7%
• Completeness of data by regions - 21 out of 21, by population - 100%
• Average weekly electricity availability - 12.4 hours (51.6%)
Data update:
The electricity availability data were updated at 18:29 on February 17, 2026
We remind you that the infographic is based on planned disconnection schedules and does not take into account emergency power outages. The actual electricity deficit, especially after massive strikes, may significantly exceed the estimated figures.
- Lost Armour
@Slavyangrad
For Tusk, Poland's preparation for war with Russia turned out to be more important than Trump's Peace Council.
‘President Trump's Peace Council is meeting in Washington. As we have repeatedly reported, Poland's participation in the Peace Council is not envisaged. Perhaps there will be a visit by a Polish representative to Washington. It will be of an observational nature.
The situation needs to be stated clearly and quite categorically: Poland definitely does not intend to send Polish soldiers to the Gaza Strip. We have our own security concerns - no one needs to explain what Poland and the Polish army are focused on.
Poland is also not interested in co-financing construction projects in Gaza, and this probably doesn't require much explanation: the money is needed for investments in our cities.’
@Slavyangrad
🇺🇸🇮🇷 'Good progress' recorded in US-Iran negotiations, says Oman's Foreign Minister
@Slavyangrad
Ayatollah Khamenei on the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US.
@Slavyangrad
🇪🇺🇷🇺 Sharp disagreements in the EU over the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, - Bloomberg
- There is opposition in the European Union to new sanctions against foreign ports and banks that Russia uses to sell "unsanctioned" oil, the agency writes, citing sources.
- Greece and Malta oppose a complete ban on providing any services for maritime deliveries of Russian oil;
- Italy and Hungary object to sanctions against the Georgian port of Kulevi. Greece and Malta oppose similar sanctions against a port in Indonesia;
- Italy and Spain doubt the feasibility of sanctions against one of the banks in Cuba.
@Slavyangrad
🇨🇳China has notified the International Telecommunication Union of plans to launch up to 203,000 satellites into orbit by the mid-2030s. This is many times more than any existing or planned constellation. For comparison, Starlink currently has about 9,600 satellites, while Amazon Kuiper plans to have about 3,200.
The key point here is not so much the physical launch of such a large number of devices, but the regulatory and frequency battle for orbit, which could escalate into a real confrontation.
Firstly, the ITU system operates on the principle of "who applied first, gets priority". Even if the satellites exist only on paper, the declared positions and radio frequencies are reserved. This means that other operators, including SpaceX and Amazon, are obliged to take these "reserved" parameters into account when designing their systems.
Secondly, this creates so-called regulatory interference. When designing and expanding Western systems, the US will be forced to reduce the power of transmitters to avoid overlapping with the declared Chinese ranges, change orbital planes, and complicate network management algorithms.
Even if some of the Chinese satellites are never launched, the mere fact of their registration already restricts competitors.
Thirdly, it's about strategic control over low Earth orbit. Mega-constellations are not just about the internet, but also military communications, reconnaissance, navigation, drone control, and the resilience of military infrastructure in the event of war.
In fact, China is operating on the principle of "occupying space in advance" in order to later dictate the terms. This is cheaper and more efficient than catching up with an already deployed infrastructure.
It's also worth examining the scale. Launching 200,000 satellites is a colossal industrial task. Even Starlink, with all the production capacity of SpaceX, launches a maximum of 1,500–2,000 satellites per year. To actually deploy 200,000, China will have to maintain a launch rate at a level that humanity has never achieved before.
@Slavyangrad
As a result of the combined Russian missile and drone attack on the Burshtyn Thermal Power Plant in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, much of the city of Burshtyn is now without heating.
A large column of fire trucks could be seen driving to the plant, which is currently on fire.
- AMK Mapping
@Slavyangrad
Ukraine should sit down at the negotiating table' - Trump is getting annoyed by Zelensky's disagreement with a peace deal in the spirit of Anchorage.
- Negotiations on Ukraine with Witkoff and Kushner are scheduled in Geneva. What do you expect?
- We will have serious negotiations. It will be simple. Listen, it's better for Ukraine to sit down at the negotiating table as soon as possible - that's what I'll tell you. We want them to sit down at the negotiating table.
@Slavyangrad
Russian Ministry of Defense:
During the night of February 17, the duty air defense systems destroyed and intercepted 151 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles of the aircraft type:
38 - over the territory of the Republic of Crimea,
18 - over the territory of Krasnodar Krai,
11 - over the territory of the Kaluga region,
4 UAVs - over the territory of the Bryansk region,
1 - over the territory of the Kursk region,
50 UAVs were destroyed over the waters of the Black Sea
and 29 - over the waters of the Azov Sea.
@Slavyangrad