PARIS, France, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukraine recaptured 201 square kilometres (78 square miles) from Russia between Wednesday and Sunday last week, taking advantage of a Starlink shutdown for Russian forces, according to an AFP analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). These 201 square kilometres include areas that Kyiv and military analysts say are controlled by Russia (72 square kilometres), as well as those claimed by Moscow's army (129 square kilometres). Kyiv claimed that Russian drones were using them, in particular, to circumvent electronic jamming systems and strike their targets with precision. Without the use of Starlink, Russian forces only advanced on February 9, with Kyiv gaining ground on the other days. Approximately 7 percent -- Crimea and part of the Donbas -- was already under Russian control before the invasion launched in February 2022.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha February 18, 2026 03:50 UTC