Victorious news of 716th day of war: Ukrainian drones attack oil refineries in Russia, Finland sends military aid to Ukraine

First tranche of €50bn to support Ukraine is expected in March

European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Várhelyi announced the first tranche of €50 billion in new funds to support Ukraine is expected in early March.

The Financial Times announced the information.

“For the bridge financing . . . the first part of March is our ambition,” Várhelyi said in an interview. “This is an absolute must, especially with what is going on now in the US.”

“This way we will be back on track . . . and will help them with their financial difficulties,” he added.

Once Ukraine receives the funds, the work will move on to creating a more formalized "money for reforms" plan agreed between Kyiv and Brussels, under which Ukraine will receive €50 billion in quarterly installments.

SBU drones attack two oil refineries in Russia at night

In the Krasnodar region, oil refineries - Ilya and Afip - burned down overnight. Ukrainian media report an attack by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) drones.

Hromadske, Ukrinform, and RBC-Ukraine report this, citing their own sources.

It is noted that the fire occurred at the Ilyichevsk refinery. The primary processing unit with a capacity of 3.6 million tons per year was damaged. Without it, the Russian Federation will not be able to produce diesel fuel for military use. The price of such a unit is about $50 million.

In addition, the SBU drones hit the Afip plant, but the consequences are still being clarified.

"These plants are legitimate targets. Not only do they work for defense and provide fuel for Russian troops, but they are important for the Russian economy. Because Russia is a Goliath that stands on its oil legs. We are systematically cutting them off. And we will continue to do so until Goliath falls," the source said.

Budanov and Zaluzhnyi are awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine

This is stated in the relevant decree.

It is noted that Budanov received the highest award for personal courage and heroism displayed in the defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people.

"To award the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star to Budanov Kyrylo Oleksiyovych, Lieutenant General," the statement reads.

The President also awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

The corresponding decree was published by the presidential press service.

"For outstanding personal merits in the defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people, I hereby decree to award the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star to General Valerii Fedorovych Zaluzhnyi," the document says.

Finland announce military aid package for Ukraine worth almost €190mln 

Finland has raised a military aid package for Ukraine worth almost €190 million. This is the 22nd shipment of defense aid since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

This was reported by the press service of the Finnish Ministry of Defence.

The ministry claims that the assistance took into account both the needs of Ukraine and the resource situation of the Finnish defense forces, but the contents of the cargo and details of its delivery are not disclosed for security reasons.

The aid package also includes products purchased from Finnish manufacturers. Separate funding of €30 million was allocated for its purchase.

"There is a lot of know-how in the domestic industry, and we are working in the defense ministry to ensure that this know-how and potential can be used more effectively to support Ukraine. One example of this is our domestic ammunition production," said Defence Minister Antti Hakkänen.

Norway plans to send additional NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine

On December 9, the Norwegian government proposed to the parliament to order more launchers and fire control centers for NASAMS air defense systems from the manufacturer to be transferred to Ukraine

This is stated on the website of the Norwegian Defense Ministry.

“The Government proposes to the Norwegian Parliament to order a further ten launch units and four fire control centers of the air defense system NASAMS from Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace (KDA),” the statement says.

The NASAMS systems will be shipped in addition to the equipment that has already been transferred to Ukraine. The investment will amount to over €300 million.

“The Norwegian NASAMs system saves Ukrainian lives and prevents the destruction of buildings and infrastructure. The Russian missile and drone attacks are extensive and brutal, so air defense is absolutely decisive for Ukraine,” says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram.

Lithuania provides Ukraine with new aid package

On Friday, February 9, a new aid package from the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania arrived in Ukraine, including winter gear and clothing for the military.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defence of Lithuania.

According to the Lithuanian ministry, the new aid package from Lithuania for the Ukrainian military includes the necessary equipment for the winter season and tens of thousands of sets of warm clothing.

“We are supplying gear and clothes to tens of thousands of Ukrainian fighters to keep them protected from cold weather conditions while positioned in field conditions. Every package we contribute is also one more step closer to victory,” says Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.

Ukrainian aviation strikes at Russian concentration areas

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff reported this.

Over the day, Ukrainian aviation struck 5 Russian military positions.

The missile troops struck 2 manpower concentration areas, 2 control points, and 2 munitions.