**Ukrainian Troops Regain Control of Village**
The Ukrainian military has taken back control of the village of Kotlyne, near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. This was reported by the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade on February 26.
Kotlyne is a small village located around 10 kilometers west of Pokrovsk. It’s connected to Pokrovsk by the T0406 highway, which also leads to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
**Important Strategic Location**
The liberation of Kotlyne is significant because it prevents Russian troops from accessing the important Pokrovsk-Dnipro highway. If Russian forces had control of Kotlyne, they could have used this route to move troops and supplies into the area.
**Hotly Contested Area**
Pokrovsk is a key location in Donetsk Oblast that has been heavily contested by both Ukrainian and Russian forces. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi previously claimed that 7,000 Russian soldiers were killed near Pokrovsk in January alone.
**Russian Losses Mounting**
The Ukrainian military reports daily estimates of Russian losses since the start of the full-scale invasion. According to these numbers, around 870,700 Russian personnel have been killed or wounded since the beginning of the war.
**International Developments**
In other news, a recent round of talks between the US and Russia marked the first direct negotiations between the two countries since Moscow‘s invasion began. However, no agreements were reached on lifting sanctions.
Additionally, Ukraine secured more favorable terms from the US in a deal that aims to strengthen ties with the country. Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz also emphasized the importance of airports working closely with military forces.
**Drone Attacks**
Ukrainian Air Force reports indicate that Russian forces launched 177 drones from various Russian cities overnight, targeting Ukraine’s airspace and causing explosions in Tuapse and Anapa. The airport in Sochi was closed due to a drone attack.
**Other News**
Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski confirmed that Poland has ordered 5,000 Starlink terminals for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Slovak National Party demanded an apology from Prime Minister Robert Fico for supporting a UN resolution condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
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