2/ Read the full assessment:
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 24, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar022426
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) Feb 25, 2026
Day: February 24, 2026
NEW: The fifth year of Russia’s invasion is not beginning well for Moscow. Recent Ukrainian successes on the battlefield disprove Russian claims that things can only get worse for Ukraine the longer Kyiv delays surrendering to Russian demands. ⬇️(1/2)
Events on the battlefield refute Moscow’s claims that a Russian battlefield victory is inevitable and that Ukraine should surrender to Russia’s demands before its position deteriorates further. The Russians will likely recover and adapt, and the lines will continue to shift in either direction as each side gains a temporary advantage, but one thing should be clear: Russia has not secured a permanent edge that will simply allow Russian forces to continue advancing unchecked the longer the war goes on.
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth year with Russia having failed to achieve any of its original war aims and facing setbacks on the battlefield amid mounting casualties. Russia’s challenges on and off the battlefield are forcing Kremlin leadership to make difficult decisions to sustain its war effort, as ISW has long forecasted that it would have to do.
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) Feb 25, 2026
First lady Melania Trump presented 100-year-old veteran Navy pilot Capt. Royce Williams with the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in a secret mission during the Korean War. President Donald Trump says the veteran “is finally getting the recognition he deserves.”
MORE: newsnationnow.com/politics/t…
Video
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) Feb 25, 2026
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is set to deliver the Democratic response to President Trump’s State of the Union address.
MORE: newsnationnow.com/politics/t… x.com/i/broadcasts/1pJdRbRjm…
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) Feb 25, 2026
Bolivia restores US DEA ties after 17 years in push against drug trafficking reut.rs/4l3WYsH reut.rs/4l3WYsH
— Reuters (@Reuters) Feb 25, 2026
Democrats on the Senate Banking Committee blasted President Trump for failing to ramp up sanctions to pressure Russia to end its four-year war in Ukraine, noting the European Union had designated nearly 900 targets in 2025 compared to just two for the US reut.rs/47byQhY
— Reuters (@Reuters) Feb 25, 2026
During his State of the Union speech, President Donald Trump thanked U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for their help in negotiating the Gaza ceasefire. Trump also praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his key negotiations with Iran.
For more context and news coverage of the most important stories of our day, click here: https://www.nbcnews.com
» Subscribe to NBC News: http://nbcnews.to/SubscribeToNBC
» Subscribe to Here’s the Scoop podcast: https://www.nbcnews.com/heres-the-scoop-daily-podcast
Every day, NBC News helps people understand what’s happening and why it matters — through fact-based reporting, meaningful conversations, and powerful stories. From its leading news broadcasts — TODAY, NBC Nightly News, Meet the Press, and Dateline — to NBC News NOW, the 24/7 streaming news channel, plus chart-topping podcasts, the NBC News app, and NBCNews.com, NBC News keeps audiences informed and connected to the stories shaping our world.
Connect with NBC News Online!
NBC News App: https://apps.nbcnews.com/mobile
Breaking News Alerts: https://link.nbcnews.com/join/5cj/breaking-news-signup?cid=sm_npd_nn_yt_bn-clip_190621
Visit NBCNews.Com: http://nbcnews.to/ReadNBC
Find NBC News on Facebook: http://nbcnews.to/LikeNBC
Follow NBC News on Twitter: http://nbcnews.to/FollowNBC
Follow NBC News on Instagram: http://nbcnews.to/InstaNBC
#Trump #Gaza #MiddleEast #MarcoRubio
Ilham Aliyev’s government has recently found itself in a difficult situation and has gone to the Moscow Kremlin for consultations. The Aliyev regime is doing everything to survive.Johnny Gemini (@Borrowed7Time)Azerbaijan Govt A319-115(CJ) 4K-8888 #600801 as AHY4115 en route from Baku to Moscow (VKO).
@sipjack1776 @Dinlas3 @LadyAstroJet— https://x.com/Borrowed7Time/status/2026506692192776385— Emin Bred (@emin_bred) Feb 25, 2026