Minerals agreement with US, Krotevych leaves Azov, paramedic Tsybukh Hero of Ukraine: February 26 highlights

Terms of the mineral agreement have become known

News outlet European Pravda published the framework agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. on minerals. According to the deal, the parties will establish a joint Reconstruction Investment Fund, which will be managed by both countries.

The agreement stipulates that neither party will sell, transfer, or otherwise directly or indirectly dispose of any part of its stake in the fund without the prior written consent of the other party.

Ukraine will contribute 50% of all revenues from the future monetization of its state-owned natural assets to the fund.

The U.S. government supports Ukraine's efforts to obtain the security guarantees necessary for a lasting peace. As stated in the agreement, the parties will seek to identify any necessary steps to protect mutual investments as defined in the fund agreement.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the decisions necessary to sign the agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. on mineral extraction. President Zelenskyy will visit the U.S. on February 28 to sign the agreement.

Azov's chief of staff resigns

Bohdan Krotevych, chief of staff of the Azov 12th Special Forces Brigade, is leaving his position after 10 years of service.

He joined Azov in 2014 and rose from infantryman to platoon commander. He participated in key combat operations during the Anti-Terrorist Operation/Joint Forces Operation and contributed to the development of the unit.

In 2021, he became the chief of staff of Azov. After the start of the full-scale invasion, he helped manage the defense of Mariupol and was a trusted aide to the commander.

In September 2022, Krotevych returned from Russian captivity and began restoring the combat capability of the unit and scaling it up to the Azov 12th Brigade.

Late paramedic Iryna Tsybukh awarded Hero of Ukraine

President Zelenskyy posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to Iryna “Cheka” Tsybukh, a combat medic with the Hospitallers volunteer battalion.

Vladyslav Stotskyi, an officer with the Svoboda Battalion, was also awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. He and his brothers-in-arms held a position in the Siversk sector for 68 days while surrounded by the enemy.

New hromadske investigation

The family of Kyiv City Council member Oleksandr Pluzhnyk owns about $6 million in assets, including an elite mansion near a lake, 11 apartments in prestigious districts of Kyiv and Odesa, luxury cars, and about 1,000 square meters of commercial real estate.

However, the official's declaration lists only a house and land plot in Kremenchuk, a rented car, and a motorcycle. Read more about this in the new hromadske investigation.

Russia attacked Kyiv Oblast with drones: journalist and surgeon killed

A Russian drone attack in Kyiv Oblast killed a married couple: Ukrinform journalist Tetiana Kulyk and Pavlo Ivanchov, head of the Department of Surgery No. 3 at Bohomolets National Medical University.

Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 177 Shahed drones and various types of decoy drones overnight on February 25. As of 9 a.m. on February 26, 110 UAVs had been confirmed shot down. Another 66 Russian decoy drones were lost from radar (with no negative consequences).

Zelenskyy: Ukraine will maintain the maximum number of troops

President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine will maintain the maximum army size necessary to defend its interests after the war.

According to Zelenskyy, maintaining the army size will be a key security guarantee.

"We do not believe the Russians want anything peaceful. We believe in our army," Zelenskyy said.

The president also said that Ukraine is discussing the deployment of foreign troops on its territory with its partners. Zelenskyy said there are "different views" on the number of troops, but discussions are ongoing.

Other news

• President Zelenskyy dismissed Andriy Hnatov as Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
• Thanks to a decision by the Supreme Court on February 24, hromadske will not have to remove its investigation into Andriy Portnov, former deputy head of the Yanukovych administration, while the case is under appeal.
• The High Anti-Corruption Court suspended a deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration, who is suspected of involvement in a corruption scheme, for two months.
• Russia offered the United States minerals from temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
• U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not intend to give "too many" security guarantees to Ukraine.