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The Kremlin is implementing a “reflexive control” campaign of threats to prevent the United States from providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, as reported by military analysts. A high-ranking official declared: “We are familiar with these weapons thoroughly, how they fly, defensive countermeasures, we encountered them in Syria, so this is not innovative. The providers and the deploying forces will have problems … We will develop strategies to hurt those who cause us trouble.”

Kyiv's Defensive Operations Progress

Ukrainian forces were causing significant casualties in a counteroffensive in the Donetsk front, the war's main theatre, Ukraine's leader stated on Wednesday. Zelenskyy's assessment, based on a briefing from his chief of defense, differed from Vladimir Putin's speech before high-ranking military personnel a prior day in which he asserted Moscow's forces possessed the operational control in every combat zone.

Based on evaluation from the beginning of October, military analysts said Russia was suffering significant losses, particularly from drone strikes by Ukraine, in compensation of minor territorial gains. Defending units, Ukraine's leader reported, were “protecting our positions along all other directions”, mentioning particularly northeastern Kupiansk, a largely destroyed town in Ukraine's northeast under sustained offensive operations for months.

Local Developments

Local authorities in southern Ukraine of southern Kherson said military strikes on Wednesday caused three deaths in and around the city of Kherson city. Administrative officials of the Sumy oblast, on the border area with the Russian Federation, said three people died in Russian drone attacks in multiple locations. Ukraine's air force said it intercepted or jammed 154 out of 183 Russian strike and decoy drones through the evening.

Military action substantially impacted a Ukrainian energy facility, government sources stated on midweek. Facility personnel were wounded in the assault, based on information from energy company officials. Officials offered no further information, including the plant's location, but Ukrainian authorities said attacks targeted power facilities in Ukraine's northern Chernihiv, the Kherson area and eastern Ukraine.

Civilian Consequences

In the north-eastern Sumy town of Shostka, significantly damaged by the military campaign against the electrical grid, officials have established temporary shelters where civilians are able to seek warmth, access hot drinks, charge their phones and receive psychological support, as reported by regional head.

Global Measures

Kyiv's representative to Nato on midweek called on NATO members to accelerate procurement of US weapons for Ukraine. “It's not that we favor US equipment rather than French or German or other international equipment – the challenge remains that we are asking the United States for equipment that EU members can't provide,” said Ukraine's NATO envoy.

German federal police will soon be allowed to neutralize UAVs, security chief announced on midweek, in response to numerous UAV observations believed to be Moscow's attempts to spy and intimidate. Announcing legal changes, the official said police would be authorized “to take state-of-the-art technical action against drone threats, for example with EMP technology, signal disruption, navigation system disruption, but also with physical means”.

Regional Defense Issues

European Commission President stated on Wednesday that the European Union should strengthen its security measures to respond to Russia's “hybrid warfare” following air incursions, digital assaults and marine communications interference. “These aren't random harassment. This represents a coherent and escalating campaign,” the representative said in a speech to the EU legislative body. “Two incidents are random chance, but multiple, repeated, numerous – that represents a deliberate and targeted grey zone campaign against Europe, and Europe must respond.”

Refugee Situation

The Switzerland's administration has continued its refugee protection offered to Ukrainian refugees to at least 4 March 2027. Humanitarian status, which enables individuals to travel abroad as well as seek employment there, is generally limited to one year but can be extended. “The decision shows the persistent dangerous conditions and ongoing military actions across significant Ukrainian territory,” said a official communication. “Despite worldwide negotiation attempts, a lasting stabilisation that would allow for safe return is not projected in the foreseeable future.”