On February 20, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated, with significant developments reported from both sides. Russian military officials announced that their forces had reclaimed over 800 square kilometers of territory in the Kursk region, which constitutes approximately 64 percent of the land taken by Ukraine during the previous year. Colonel General Sergei Rudskoi stated that Russia now controls 75 percent of the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, as well as virtually all of Luhansk, claiming these areas are now permanently part of Russia.
In a separate incident, a Ukrainian drone strike in Russia’s Belgorod region resulted in the death of a man, according to local authorities. Meanwhile, a major Russian offensive on the port city of Odesa in southwestern Ukraine left four individuals hospitalized and disrupted services to around 160,000 residents, affecting heating, water, and electricity in a large residential area that includes 14 schools.
Further violence was reported in Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kupiansk, where a Russian guided bomb killed at least one person. Ukraine’s military reported that overnight, Russia launched 167 drones and two missiles, with Ukrainian forces successfully intercepting 106 of the drones and 56 others failing to reach their targets.
In a notable military development, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed a North Korean self-propelled M-1978 Koksan howitzer in the Luhansk region, marking an unprecedented strike against this type of weapon. Additionally, two North Korean soldiers detained in Ukraine revealed they were misled about their deployment, being told they were going to Russia for training.
On the political front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed frustration over Kyiv’s exclusion from recent discussions between Russia and the United States, emphasizing the need for Ukraine to be included in peace negotiations. Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that Ukraine would not be sidelined in ceasefire talks but indicated that progress would depend on improving relations between Moscow and Washington.
Zelenskyy criticized Russian leaders as "pathological liars" and called for pressure on them to achieve peace. Tensions escalated further as U.S. President Donald Trump responded to Zelenskyy’s complaints, suggesting that Ukraine bore responsibility for the conflict and accusing the Ukrainian leader of failing to negotiate effectively.
In diplomatic efforts, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot conveyed to European counterparts that the U.S. is aiming for a lasting peace deal rather than a temporary ceasefire that would allow Russia to regroup. Meanwhile, the European Union is preparing to implement new sanctions targeting Russian aluminum imports.
As the situation continues to develop, the international community remains watchful, with various nations and organizations seeking to mediate and support efforts for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.