Ville Kostian
@kostianv.bsky.social
Geopolitics, geoeconomics and military.
Reposted by Ville Kostian
Ukraine's Defense Minister outlines military priorities ahead of Ramstein meeting #Ukraine
Ukraine's Defense Minister outlines military priorities ahead of Ramstein meeting
kyivindependent.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Ukraine's Defense Minister outlines military priorities ahead of Ramstein meeting #Ukraine
Reposted by Ville Kostian
Update: Vladyslav Heraskevych has appealed his disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, arguing that he violated no Olympic rules and was denied the same treatment afforded to other athletes.
Ukrainian athlete appeals ban from Olympic skeleton event over helmet images
Vladyslav Heraskevych was removed from the men’s skeleton event for refusing to remove a helmet with portraits of Ukrainian athletes who’ve died in the war with Russia.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Update: Vladyslav Heraskevych has appealed his disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, arguing that he violated no Olympic rules and was denied the same treatment afforded to other athletes.
Reposted by Ville Kostian
4/ ISW has removed its assessment of changes in the composition of Rosgvardia because it was incorrect. ISW sincerely apologizes for these errors.
February 12, 2026 at 7:07 PM
4/ ISW has removed its assessment of changes in the composition of Rosgvardia because it was incorrect. ISW sincerely apologizes for these errors.
Reposted by Ville Kostian
3/ ISW also incorrectly assessed that the Russian General Staff would control parts of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations based on Russian insider reports that the Russian Security Council may be planning to abolish the ministry and merge some of its employees with Rosgvardia.
February 12, 2026 at 7:07 PM
3/ ISW also incorrectly assessed that the Russian General Staff would control parts of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations based on Russian insider reports that the Russian Security Council may be planning to abolish the ministry and merge some of its employees with Rosgvardia.
Reposted by Ville Kostian
Correction: ISW erroneously assessed on February 11, 2026 that the Kremlin was subordinating Rosgvardia to the control of the Russian General Staff due to a mistranslation by our team. (1/4)
NEW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov continued to explicitly blame the US on February 10 for the lack of progress in ending Russia’s war against Ukraine and reinvoked the Spring 2022 Istanbul talks to justify Russia’s rejection of Ukraine receiving meaningful security guarantees. 🧵(1/5)
February 12, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Correction: ISW erroneously assessed on February 11, 2026 that the Kremlin was subordinating Rosgvardia to the control of the Russian General Staff due to a mistranslation by our team. (1/4)
Reposted by Ville Kostian
Ukraine war latest: SBU claims new 'range record' with drone strike on Russian oil refinery in Komi Republic #Ukraine
Ukraine war latest: SBU claims new 'range record' with drone strike on Russian oil refinery in Komi Republic
kyivindependent.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Ukraine war latest: SBU claims new 'range record' with drone strike on Russian oil refinery in Komi Republic #Ukraine
Reposted by Ville Kostian
🗣️🇮🇷Reporter: Is there a timeline for an Iran deal?
🇺🇸Trump: I guess over the next month, something like that.
I will talk to the Iranians as long as I like. If we can't get a deal with them, we will go to phase two. Phase two will be very tough for them. I am not looking for that.
🇺🇸Trump: I guess over the next month, something like that.
I will talk to the Iranians as long as I like. If we can't get a deal with them, we will go to phase two. Phase two will be very tough for them. I am not looking for that.
February 12, 2026 at 7:12 PM
🗣️🇮🇷Reporter: Is there a timeline for an Iran deal?
🇺🇸Trump: I guess over the next month, something like that.
I will talk to the Iranians as long as I like. If we can't get a deal with them, we will go to phase two. Phase two will be very tough for them. I am not looking for that.
🇺🇸Trump: I guess over the next month, something like that.
I will talk to the Iranians as long as I like. If we can't get a deal with them, we will go to phase two. Phase two will be very tough for them. I am not looking for that.
Reposted by Ville Kostian
The United Kingdom is allocating the largest support package in its history to Ukraine - £500 million (over $680 million) to strengthen air defense capabilities.
This was announced by UK Defence Secretary John Healey at a meeting of the Ramstein-format Contact Group.
This was announced by UK Defence Secretary John Healey at a meeting of the Ramstein-format Contact Group.
February 12, 2026 at 7:14 PM
The United Kingdom is allocating the largest support package in its history to Ukraine - £500 million (over $680 million) to strengthen air defense capabilities.
This was announced by UK Defence Secretary John Healey at a meeting of the Ramstein-format Contact Group.
This was announced by UK Defence Secretary John Healey at a meeting of the Ramstein-format Contact Group.
Reposted by Ville Kostian
" #Pentagon policy chief tells European #Nato members to step up combat capabilities"
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Pentagon policy chief tells European Nato members to step up combat capabilities
Elbridge Colby tells meeting in Brussels that US plans to reduce conventional forces in Europe but remains committed to Nato alliance
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:59 PM
" #Pentagon policy chief tells European #Nato members to step up combat capabilities"
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Reposted by Ville Kostian
"The higher death rate may be tied to Russia using fewer armored vehicles, which are valuable but easily detectable by drone, and instead attacking with only infantry," ISW's Kateryna Stepanenko told Foreign Policy
Read the full story:
Read the full story:
Can Ukraine Kill Its Way to Victory?
Increased losses could strain Russia’s military, but Ukraine faces steep hurdles.
foreignpolicy.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:30 PM
"The higher death rate may be tied to Russia using fewer armored vehicles, which are valuable but easily detectable by drone, and instead attacking with only infantry," ISW's Kateryna Stepanenko told Foreign Policy
Read the full story:
Read the full story:
Reposted by Ville Kostian
5/ Russian Occupation Update, February 12, 2026:
Russian Occupation Update, February 12, 2026
An approaching Russian administrative deadline is likely to enable the systematic removal of vulnerable Ukrainian children.
isw.pub
February 12, 2026 at 5:59 PM
5/ Russian Occupation Update, February 12, 2026:
Reposted by Ville Kostian
4/ The Kremlin’s efforts to throttle Telegram are further restricting information access in occupied Ukraine and forcing residents to migrate to the Russian state-controlled MAX messenger.
February 12, 2026 at 5:59 PM
4/ The Kremlin’s efforts to throttle Telegram are further restricting information access in occupied Ukraine and forcing residents to migrate to the Russian state-controlled MAX messenger.
Reposted by Ville Kostian
NEW: An approaching Russian administrative deadline is likely to enable the systematic removal of vulnerable Ukrainian children from their homes and families in occupied areas. 🧵(1/5)
Read more: isw.pub/OccupationUp...
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
Read more: isw.pub/OccupationUp...
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
February 12, 2026 at 5:59 PM
NEW: An approaching Russian administrative deadline is likely to enable the systematic removal of vulnerable Ukrainian children from their homes and families in occupied areas. 🧵(1/5)
Read more: isw.pub/OccupationUp...
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
Read more: isw.pub/OccupationUp...
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
Reposted by Ville Kostian
A senior legal adviser to Europe’s top court has deemed that the European Commission breached its own rules when it unfroze funding for Hungary in December 2023.
If the EU’s Court of Justice judges agree, Budapest would need to pay back the cash.
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/comm...
If the EU’s Court of Justice judges agree, Budapest would need to pay back the cash.
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/comm...
February 12, 2026 at 5:19 PM
A senior legal adviser to Europe’s top court has deemed that the European Commission breached its own rules when it unfroze funding for Hungary in December 2023.
If the EU’s Court of Justice judges agree, Budapest would need to pay back the cash.
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/comm...
If the EU’s Court of Justice judges agree, Budapest would need to pay back the cash.
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/comm...
#Space - " #China showcases new #Moon ship and reusable rocket in one extraordinary test"
arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
China showcases new Moon ship and reusable rocket in one extraordinary test
The test marks a significant step in China's push to land humans on the Moon by 2030.
arstechnica.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:18 PM
#Space - " #China showcases new #Moon ship and reusable rocket in one extraordinary test"
arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...
"Deaths in #Iran ’s crackdown on protests reach at least 7,000, activists say"
apnews.com/article/iran...
apnews.com/article/iran...
Deaths in Iran's crackdown on protests reach at least 7,000, activists say
Activists say the death toll from a crackdown over Iran’s nationwide protests has reached at least 7,002 with many more people still feared dead. The U.S.
apnews.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:15 PM
"Deaths in #Iran ’s crackdown on protests reach at least 7,000, activists say"
apnews.com/article/iran...
apnews.com/article/iran...
Reposted by Ville Kostian
🫂 Netherlands, UK, Norway and Sweden allocate US$500m to buy US weapons for Ukraine
Netherlands, UK, Norway and Sweden allocate US$500m to buy US weapons for Ukraine
The Netherlands, UK, Norway and Sweden will purchase Patriot missiles, artillery shells and other munitions for the Armed Forces of Ukraine worth US$500 million.
www.pravda.com.ua
February 12, 2026 at 5:13 PM
🫂 Netherlands, UK, Norway and Sweden allocate US$500m to buy US weapons for Ukraine
"The #IOC has disqualified Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for wearing a helmet that features images of athletes killed in the war on #Ukraine during competition." - #Russia
www.dw.com/en/is-banned...
www.dw.com/en/is-banned...
Is banned Olympic 'helmet of remembrance' political?
The IOC has disqualified Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for wearing a helmet that features images of athletes killed in the war on Ukraine during competition. DW has what you need to k...
www.dw.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:10 PM
"The #IOC has disqualified Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for wearing a helmet that features images of athletes killed in the war on #Ukraine during competition." - #Russia
www.dw.com/en/is-banned...
www.dw.com/en/is-banned...
Reposted by Ville Kostian
The Russians struck a regular food market in one of Odesa's residential areas. Additionally, a supermarket and a high-rise apartment building were damaged. An energy facility was also attacked.
February 12, 2026 at 4:22 PM
The Russians struck a regular food market in one of Odesa's residential areas. Additionally, a supermarket and a high-rise apartment building were damaged. An energy facility was also attacked.
#Ukraine - " #Russia fires barrage at Ukrainian cities as next round of US-brokered talks is unclear"
apnews.com/article/russ...
apnews.com/article/russ...
Russia fires barrage at Ukrainian cities as next round of US-brokered talks is unclear
Russia has attacked Ukrainian cities again overnight as Ukraine accuses Russia of dragging its feet on new U.S.-brokered peace talks.
apnews.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:05 PM
#Ukraine - " #Russia fires barrage at Ukrainian cities as next round of US-brokered talks is unclear"
apnews.com/article/russ...
apnews.com/article/russ...