Ukraine-Russia conflict: Key developments on day 1,085

Thursday 13 February 2025 - 11:04

Military Actions

A Russian missile strike on Kyiv resulted in the death of at least one person and injuries to four others, including a nine-year-old child, according to the city's mayor, Vitali Klitschko. The attack caused fires and damage in multiple areas of the capital.

In Russia’s Belgorod region, a Ukrainian drone attack killed a woman after striking her vehicle, as reported by regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

Ukraine’s military claimed to have intercepted six out of seven ballistic missiles launched by Russia overnight. Additionally, Russia launched 123 attack drones at Kyiv; 71 were shot down, while 40 were likely neutralized by electronic countermeasures.

Ukraine targeted the Russian-controlled city of Enerhodar near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with a drone strike, hitting a vehicle parked approximately 300 meters from one of the reactors, according to Russian-installed regional governor Yevgeny Balitsky.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) arrested the chief of staff of its anti-terrorist department for allegedly spying for Russia. Authorities cited 14 instances of the official’s involvement in illicit activities.

Political & Diplomatic Developments

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that another American detainee was set for release following the return of Marc Fogel, who had been imprisoned in Russia since 2021. The Kremlin confirmed that a Russian prisoner, identified as cryptocurrency figure Alexander Vinnik, was freed in exchange for Fogel’s release.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposal to exchange occupied territories as "nonsense," affirming that Russia would not negotiate land swaps. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy stated that the recent missile attacks on Kyiv demonstrated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s disinterest in peace, calling for stronger international measures to halt the strikes.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with newly appointed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for the first time. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow continued to dispute responsibility for the stalled International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission rotation at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

The United Kingdom committed £150 million ($186.6 million) in military aid to Ukraine, including drones, tanks, and air defense systems. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth remarked during a NATO meeting in Brussels that reclaiming Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders was an unrealistic objective and stated that Ukraine’s NATO membership was not part of any proposed peace plan.

Trump revealed that he had spoken with Putin by phone and agreed to initiate immediate negotiations to end the war. He subsequently informed Zelenskyy of the discussion. The Kremlin confirmed that the call between Putin and Trump lasted nearly an hour and that both leaders agreed to meet. Trump later announced plans for an in-person meeting with Putin in Saudi Arabia, with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also expected to participate.

Following a separate call between Trump and Zelenskyy, Trump stated that the Ukrainian president "wants peace."