February 17, 2026

Russian Defence Ministry on progress of special military operation as of 17 February 2026

Russian Defense Ministry

Over the past 24 hours, in response to the terrorist attacks launched by the Kiev regime against civilian infrastructure facilities on the territory of Russia, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have delivered a massive strike with long-range, ground- and air-launched high-precision weapons as well as unmanned aerial vehicles at the facilities of the defence industry, energy infrastructure of Ukraine used to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine as well as at the points of production, storage, and preparation for the launch of attack unmanned aerial vehicles.

✅ The goals of the strike were achieved. All the assigned targets were engaged.

📍 The Sever Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops engaged a mechanised brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a territorial defence brigade near Kondratovka, Kharkovka, and Khoten (Sumy region).

💥 In Kharkov region, units of a motorised infantry brigade of the AFU and a territorial defence brigade have been hit near Grafskoye, Izbitskoye, and Rubezhnoye (Kharkov region).

▪️ The AFU losses amounted to more than 165 troops, 10 motor vehicles, a materiel depot, and a U.S.-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-fire radar.

↗️ The Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Three mechanised brigades, an assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a national guard brigade have been hit close to Druzhelyubovka, Kovsharovka, Novoosinovo (Kharkov region), Krasny Liman, and Raygorodok (Donetsk People’s Republic).

▪️ The AFU lost up to 150 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles including one U.S.-made HMMWV armoured vehicle, 15 motor vehicles, and two artillery guns. Six ammunition depots were destroyed.

↗️ The Yuzhnaya Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line. Three mechanised brigades, a mountain assault brigade, an assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a territorial defence brigade have been hit near Konstantinovka, Lipovka, Nikiforovka, Novoselovka, Ray-Aleksandrovka, and Reznikovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

▪️ The enemy lost more than 195 troops, 12 pickup trucks, an M113 armoured personnel carrier, and one U.S.-made HMMWV armoured vehicle. One electronic warfare station was destroyed.

↗️ The Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. In addition, strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, two jaeger brigades, an airmobile brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and four national guard brigades close to Belitskoye, Vodyanskoye, Grishino, Kucherov Yar, Novogrigorovka, Pavlovka, Sergeyevka, Torskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic), Novopavlovka, and Novopodgornoye (Dnepropetrovsk region).

▪️ Up to 350 troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, two armoured fighting vehicles, and four motor vehicles have been neutralised.

 The Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing into the depth of enemy defence. A mechanised brigade, two assault brigades, two air assault brigades, and two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been hit near Kommunarovka (Dnepropetrovsk region), Vozdvizhevka, Gorkoye, Dolinka, Zelenaya Dibrova, Timoshevka, Lyubitskoye, and Nikolskoye (Zaporozhye region).

▪️ The enemy lost over 345 troops, eight armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, and one field artillery gun.

📍 The Dnepr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade and a mountain assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been hit near Novoandreyevka and Orekhov (Zaporozhye region).

▪️ More than 25 troops, eight motor vehicles, and one materiel depot have been neutralised.

✈️ Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack UAVs, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have inflicted losses on temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 148 areas.

▫️ Air defence systems shot down eight guided aerial bombs and 334 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

📊 In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost: 

▫️ 670 aircraft, 

▫️ 283 helicopters, 

▫️ 114,976 unmanned aerial vehicles, 

▫️ 650 anti-aircraft missile systems, 

▫️ 27,742 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 

▫️ 1,664 MLRS combat vehicles, 

▫️ 33,330 field artillery guns and mortars, 

▫️ 54,587 units of support military vehicles.

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.