Bloomberg's weekly Russian Oil Export Update:

Bloomberg has stopped publishing the graph of exports to Asia. I guess I can't blame them when 75% of the graph is "unknown destination."

Anyway, Russia's weekly oil revenue seems to be inching closer to the more comfortable level of $1.5 billion per week.

"On a weekly basis, the value of exports averaged about $1.18 billion in the 7 days to Feb. 15, up by $160 million from the revised figure for the previous week, with the increase in flows boosted by higher Urals prices."

Also, the risk of conflict in the middle east is elevating the price of oil:

"... the export prices of Russia’s Urals from the Baltic rose by about $0.80 to $42.70 a barrel and Black Sea cargoes were up by about $1 a barrel to $40.43. The price of Pacific ESPO crude increased by $1.40 to average $51.99 a barrel. Delivered prices in India rose by $0.20 to $58.85 a barrel, the highest since November."

The flow of Russian oil abroad remains above 3 million barrels per day, which helps to compensate for lower prices.

The important thing to keep in mind is that Russia's non oil and gas exports have also been rising by double digits even with the strongest ruble in years.

Russia is strategically repositioning itself away from depending on oil and gas revenue for its economy and government spending. The "gas station with nukes" label will certainly not apply to Russia going forward (not that it was ever a truly accurate depiction). In the future, oil revenue will merely be a icing on the cake.

🌒@EastCalling

Via Lost Armour:

Here is the translation of the text:

---

"The Energy of Decommunization." Issue 31.

Infographic on electricity availability in the territories of Ukraine by region as of February 17, 2026.

Key Metrics:

• Average daily electricity availability – 13.2 hours (55.2%)

• Worst situation: Poltava Oblast – 29.7%
• Best situation: Ternopil Oblast – 95.7%
• Data coverage: by region – 21 out of 21, by population – 100%

• Average weekly electricity availability – 12.4 hours (51.6%)

Data Update:

Electricity availability data has been updated as of 18:29, February 17, 2026.

We remind you that the infographic is based on scheduled blackout schedules and does not account for emergency power outages. The actual electricity deficit, especially after massive strikes, may significantly exceed the calculated figures.

🌒@EastCalling

Zelenksy is ready to discuss the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk region, but called on Moscow to withdraw its troops to an equivalent distance, writes Axios.

American mediators have proposed that Ukrainian troops withdraw from the areas of Donbass they control and allow this territory to become a demilitarized "free economic zone." However, as Zelenksy stated, Washington has not yet decided which country will have sovereignty over this territory.

Zelenksy said that after the second round of negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Russian officials promised to consult with Moscow and return with a detailed position on the territorial issue.

Zelenksy also said that Washington and Kyiv have agreed that any agreement should be put to a referendum for the Ukrainian people.

However, Zelenksy believes that if this deal "simply involves the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbass," it will be rejected in a referendum.

"Emotionally, people will never forgive this. Never. They won't forgive... me, they won't forgive the USA," said Zelenksy.

It was likely on this issue where negotiations became "stuck," as it were. This issue has been discussed in the media forever, it seems. Everyone should have saved themselves the trip.

🌒@EastCalling