Overview

• Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a countrywide initiative to strengthen defensive positions, particularly in areas of heavy fighting, as the war with Russia enters a new phase.
• Russia continues to bear down on the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, with reports of tactical advances in the outskirts of the town.
• Ukraine claims defensive actions in and around Avdiivka are inflicting heavy losses on Russian troops and equipment.
• A Ukrainian defense source claimed a fire on a strategic rail tunnel in eastern Russia was the work of the Ukrainian Security Service, marking a potential strike deep within Russia.
• Marianna Budanova, wife of Ukraine’s defense intelligence chief, was hospitalized with apparent heavy metals poisoning, raising concerns that Russia may have the capacity to target senior Ukrainian leadership.