Conflict • Page 39 of 203

Feb- 2026 -

15 February

War

Russian Strike on Ukraine’s Odesa Kills Woman: Governor

An overnight Russian drone strike on Odesa set a residential building on fire and killed a woman inside, the governor of the southern Ukrainian region said on Saturday morning.

15 February

Arctic

Pictured: 21 Nov 2025 – View of the 24 F-35B Jets embarked onboard the Flight Deck of HMS Prince of Wales. As part of the United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group Full Operating Capability, the largest fifth-generation Carrier Air Wing has ever been embarked on HMS Prince of Wales. 24 F-35B Jets on deck, in support of NATO on NEPTUNE STRIKE 25-4. This proves NATO’s willingness and readiness to act in support of allied nations’ peace and security. Italian F-35Bs have been on board HMS Prince of Wales for NEPTUNE STRIKE, an enhanced vigilance activity, as part of Operation HIGHMAST, proving interoperability and interchangeability between the two nations. The Joint Carrier Air Wing has conducted NEPTUNE STRIKE, showcasing the UK and Italian ability and willingness to work together on behalf of NATO in the Mediterranean and beyond. Led by the UK flagship HMS Prince of Wales and involving a dozen nations, the eight-month mission – known as Operation HIGHMAST – is reaching its final stages. After operations across the Indo-Pacific over the last five months, the task group has returned to the Mediterranean for further multinational exercises before making its homeward voyage. The goal of Operation HIGHMAST is to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to the security of the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific region, demonstrate collective resolve with our allies and showcase British trade and industry. Over the course of the deployment, upwards of 4,500 British military personnel have been involved, including nearly 600 RAF and 900 soldiers alongside 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines.

Staff Writer With AFP

UK to Deploy Aircraft Carrier Group to Arctic This Year: PM

Britain will deploy its aircraft carrier group to the North Atlantic this year in a "powerful show of force" against Russian threats in the Arctic, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Saturday.

14 February

War

Staff Writer With AFP

Russia, Ukraine to Hold Talks in Geneva on February 17-18

Russia and Ukraine will hold US-brokered talks on February 17-18 in Geneva, both countries said Friday, announcing the next leg in fraught negotiations seeking to end the four-year war.

14 February

Africa

Staff Writer With AFP

DR Congo Offers Step Towards Truce, M23 Condemns ‘Manipulation’

The DR Congo government said Friday it had accepted "the principle" of a ceasefire but its foes in the eastern conflict, the Rwanda-backed M23 militia, condemned "attempts at manipulation."

13 February

War

Smoke rises after an attack by Russian forces in Odessa, Ukraine on April 2022

Staff Writer With AFP

Russian Strikes Ukrainian Energy, Port Facilities, Killing Six

Six people died in Russian strikes across Ukraine overnight that targeted the southern port city of Odesa and energy infrastructure, officials announced on Friday.

12 February

War

Ukrainian soldier on top of a South African Mbombe 6 armored fighting vehicle. Photo: NMFTE via Telegram

Staff Writer With AFP

EU Parliament Approves 90-Billion Euro Loan for Ukraine

The EU parliament on Wednesday approved a 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine, providing a financial lifeline to cash-strapped Kyiv four years into Russia's invasion.

12 February

Americas

A Colombian special operations team carries weighted ammo cans during an assaulter stage of Fuerzas Comando 2025 at Ilopango, El Salvador, Aug. 23, 2025. Fuerzas Comando 2025 brings together 16 special operations team from across Central, South America and the Caribbean to test skills through a 10-day special operations forces competition alongside a senior leadership seminar to collectively refine skills and foster military-to-military relationships. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Hassani Ribera)

Staff Writer With AFP

Venezuela Shifts Course, Drives Rebels Back Across Colombia Border: Minister

Venezuela has begun pushing Colombian rebel groups back across the border, a sharp break from years of offering guerrillas a safe haven, Colombia's defense minister Pedro Sanchez told AFP on Wednesday.

12 February

Asia Pacific

Staff Writer With AFP

Taiwan Leader Warns Countries in Region ‘Next’ in Case of China Attack

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te warned that countries in the region would be China's next targets should Beijing seize the democratic island, as he insisted on the need for Taiwan to dramatically shore up its defenses.

11 February

War

Staff Writer With AFP

Kenya FM to Visit Russia Over Forced Conscripts in Ukraine

Kenya said Tuesday its foreign minister would go to Moscow next month after condemning recruiters luring Kenyans to Russia with promises of lucrative jobs, only to send them to Ukraine's front lines as "cannon fodder."

11 February

Africa

Soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) prepare to escort health workers attached to ebola response programs on May 18, 2019 in Butembo, north of Kivu

Staff Writer With AFP

UN Seeks ‘Security Guarantees’ to Monitor DRC Ceasefire

The UN on Tuesday sought "security guarantees" from warring parties in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to enable its soldiers to use a key airport for monitoring a planned ceasefire.

Trends Shaping the Defense World

JOIN 100,000+ FOR DEFENSE NEWS, TRENDS & INSIGHTS