‼️ For the first time in three years, the U.S. Defense Secretary will skip the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting ("Ramstein"), AP reports.

Pete Hegseth will arrive in Brussels only after the session ends and will not participate even via video.

🇪🇺 The European Commission is launching plans for the return of Ukrainians once the war ends. Carefully coordinated to avoid disorder, the plan includes “unity hubs” in EU countries—offering return guidance, job support, language lessons & cultural programs. First hubs will be opened in Germany and Spain, Politico reports.

🇺🇦 The SBU has released rare footage showing the early stages of Operation “Spiderweb,” a special operation targeting Russia’s strategic aviation.

The video captures one of the trucks loaded with modular structures setting off—marking the beginning of the mission.

🇫🇷 France will provide Ukraine with €1.5 billion in financial guarantees for defense procurement from French companies and joint military production, according to the office of Prime Minister Bayrou.

🇬🇧 Britain will deliver 100,000 drones to Ukraine by April 2026—part of a £350M package under a wider £4.5B military support plan.

Defence Sec. John Healey to announce the pledge at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels, alongside Germany.

More footage shows the truck departing on its mission. Little did Russians know.

🔥 A fire broke out overnight at a diesel engine production facility in Yaroslavl.

The facility is part of the Yaroslavl Motor Plant “Avtodizel,” a major manufacturer of various engines, including those used by the Russian military.

The Ministry of Defense has approved the Ukrainian-made Chief-1 unmanned aerial system for use in the Armed Forces.

The drone is designed to engage aircraft or personnel with pellet ammunition and features automatic target recognition and optimal engagement distance systems.

This morning, Russia struck Sumy twice in the same location, injuring one person. Footage of the strike has been released.

🇺🇸 At the upcoming Ramstein-format meeting, U.S. Ambassador to NATO will represent the United States in place of Defense Secretary Hegseth, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Hegseth is also unlikely to attend tomorrow’s Ukraine–NATO Council meeting.

🇫🇷🇧🇪 France and Belgium have declined to support the European Commission’s plan to phase out imports of Russian gas by 2027, citing the need for more clarity on the economic and legal implications, Politico reports.

France prefers seeking alternative suppliers, like Qatar, and warns of potential legal risks for companies such as TotalEnergies. Belgium requests a detailed impact assessment before committing. Both countries remain among the EU's top importers of Russian LNG.

🇷🇺 The Kremlin - via spox Peskov- has confirmed an explosion near the Crimean Bridge, but claims that "no damage was caused."