German federal prosecutors arrested five men on Monday, February 2, 2026, for allegedly violating EU sanctions. The suspects are accused of exporting over €30 million in industrial goods, including mechanical and technical components, to at least 24 Russian arms manufacturers since February 2022, using a sophisticated network of shell companies.
The Kremlin has reiterated its long-standing offer to process or store Iran's enriched uranium, aiming to de-escalate regional tensions. This comes as Iran continues to enrich uranium to 60% purity, a level close to weapons-grade, and amid heightened US-Iran friction.
The UK Foreign Office summoned Russian Ambassador Andrey Kelin on February 2, 2026, to revoke the accreditation of a Russian diplomat. This move is a direct reciprocal response to Russia's expulsion of a British diplomat last month over unsubstantiated spying allegations. The UK condemned Russia's 'unprovoked and unjustified decision' and 'baseless accusations'.
A Diamond DA40 training aircraft crashed in Russia's Orenburg region on February 2, 2026, killing an instructor and two cadets from the St. Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation. An investigation is underway.
A modern Russian Navy corvette, the 'Gremyashchiy' (hull number 337), transited eastward through the Tsugaru Strait on February 1, 2026. Japan's Ministry of Defense confirmed the passage, stating the vessel was monitored by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as part of routine surveillance of Russian naval activity near the Japanese archipelago.
A Russian cargo ship captain, Vladimir Motin, has been found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter following a collision in the North Sea in March 2025. The incident, involving his vessel the MV Solong and the anchored US oil tanker MV Stena Immaculate, resulted in the death of Filipino crew member Mark Angelo Pernia and a massive fire.
A Ukrainian drone attack in Russia's Belgorod region overnight on February 2, 2026, resulted in the deaths of two civilians and the destruction of 22 drones over the region. The strike hit a residential building in Stary Oskol, as confirmed by Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov and Russia's Defense Ministry.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that trilateral peace talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States have been rescheduled to take place on February 4 and 5 in Abu Dhabi. The discussions aim to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict, with previous talks having been postponed to align participants' schedules.
Ukraine's Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced on February 1, 2026, that initial measures taken by SpaceX to prevent the Russian Federation from using Starlink satellite internet for attack drones are yielding 'real results.' This development follows reports of Russia integrating Starlink terminals into its drones to extend their operational range and bypass Ukrainian electronic warfare systems. Ukraine plans to implement a system requiring registration for all Starlink terminals to ensure only authorized devices function within the country.
The Russian Federation faces increasing financial strain in 2026 as it continues to fund its war in Ukraine. Projections for the budget deficit vary, with official targets at 1.6% of GDP, though some analysts anticipate a higher figure. Significant portions of the federal budget are allocated to defense and security, while the government explores tax hikes and increased borrowing to cover expenditures.
Satellite imagery confirms Russia is reactivating a long-abandoned military garrison in Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia, to house the newly formed 44th Army Corps. This development, approximately 160-175 kilometers from the Finnish border, follows Finland's 2023 NATO accession and signals a significant military infrastructure expansion in the region.
Two separate explosions in the southern Iranian cities of Bandar Abbas and Ahvaz on January 31, 2026, have resulted in at least five fatalities and 14 injuries. Iranian authorities have attributed both incidents to gas leaks.
The New START Treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation, is set to expire on February 5, 2026. Without a new agreement, it marks the first time since the early 1970s that there will be no legally binding limits on US and Russian strategic nuclear forces, potentially leading to an unconstrained arms race.
Israeli airstrikes on Saturday, January 31, 2026, resulted in the deaths of at least 30 Palestinians, including women and children, across Gaza. The attacks, which hit an apartment building, a tent camp, and a police station, followed Israeli accusations of new truce violations by Hamas, further jeopardizing a fragile ceasefire.
Satellite imagery from January 31, 2026, reveals Russia has deployed at least nine Iskander short-range missile launch sites near the Ukrainian border and in occupied Crimea, capable of striking deep into Ukrainian territory. Both ballistic and cruise missile variants are present.
Germany is moving forward with a €600 million procurement of loitering munitions from Helsing and Stark Defence, with parliamentary approval anticipated in late February. This decision is heavily influenced by lessons from Ukraine's drone warfare, particularly the critical need for electronic warfare resilience in modern combat scenarios.
France's Air Force recently concluded 'Topaze' training exercises, involving 20 Rafale fighter jets and 145 personnel. The drills simulated a high-intensity conflict, including evading an enemy air attack and launching a retaliatory strike with SCALP cruise missiles, widely interpreted as a scenario against Russia. The exercise focused on rapid deployment and decision-making.
A technical malfunction in power lines linking Ukraine and Moldova on January 31, 2026, led to widespread emergency power cuts in several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Kharkiv regions, as well as Moldova. The incident caused disruptions to water supply and public transport.
A technical malfunction on January 31, 2026, caused widespread power outages across Ukraine, impacting Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Kharkiv regions, and extended into Moldova, including Chisinau. The incident disrupted water supply and public transport, with energy officials working on rapid restoration.
Russian attacks on January 29 resulted in six civilian deaths across central and southern Ukraine, with fatalities reported in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Kryvyi Rih. Separately, a minibus attack in Kherson on January 30 killed its driver and injured five passengers.
