Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,458 | Russia-Ukraine war News
Key Developments in Russia-Ukraine Conflict on February 21, 2026
Fighting Update
The death toll from a recent Russian attack on a warehouse in Malynivka, located in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, has risen to three. This follows the recovery of two additional bodies from the debris, as reported by the State Emergency Service via Telegram.
A Russian drone strike resulted in the deaths of two police officers near the village of Serednii Burluk, where they were en route to evacuate residents, according to the National Police of Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces intercepted 107 of the 128 drones launched by Russian forces overnight Thursday, part of an assault that also included ballistic missile strikes targeting various areas in Ukraine, confirmed the Ministry of Defence on Facebook.
In the Poltava region, Russian attacks caused numerous injuries and damaged homes and key infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, as reported by Naftogaz, the state-owned energy company.
In the Zaporizhia region, guided bombs dropped on Komyshuvas led to a fire in residential areas, injuring a 22-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack in the Maksimovskoye settlement of Russia’s Belgorod region resulted in two fatalities and three injuries, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported. Additional strikes in Belgorod included one that killed a man in the village of Pochayevo.
In a separate incident, Ukrainian forces reportedly targeted a hospital in Voronok, Bryansk region, though no casualties were reported, according to governor Alexander Bogomaz.
A significant power outage affected parts of northwest Zaporizhia following a substantial strike on the region’s electrical grid. Yevhen Balitsky, a Russia-appointed official, confirmed the impact of the attacks. Yevgeniya Yashina, communications director at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, also noted heavy shelling near the facility, which has remained under Russian control since 2022.
Politics and Diplomacy
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to lead a video conference with members of Ukraine’s “Coalition of the Allies” on February 24, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that there has been no progress in negotiations concerning Russian-occupied territory. Talks mediated by the United States have yielded no positive movement, as reported in a WhatsApp group with journalists.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that he could not confirm the timing or location of a new round of talks regarding Ukraine, despite reports indicating discussions may occur in Geneva.
Energy Developments
The European Commission has granted the German government the authority to take control of the assets of the Russian oil group Rosneft, which is currently under U.S. sanctions. This change will take effect following the expiration of existing arrangements on March 10.
Furthermore, the U.S. Treasury Department has extended a sanctions waiver for Serbia’s Russian-owned oil firm NIS until March 20, allowing additional time for the country to import crude oil.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced that Hungary will block a €90 billion ($106 billion) European Union loan for Ukraine until oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline is reinstated. He emphasized that Ukraine’s actions violate the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
Regional Security
The United Kingdom, alongside European allies including France, Germany, Italy, and Poland, has committed to collaborating on the development of new low-cost air defense systems aimed at enhancing the security of European airspace, as stated by the UK Ministry of Defence.
