Today, amid reports that Russian forces’ loss of Starlink is reducing the intensity of drone attacks along the frontline, we examine claims that Russian commanders are charging soldiers up to £30,000 to avoid deployment to the most dangerous sectors. We then bring you the latest from the first meeting of Donald Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace”, and finally hear the view from Belarus as Putin seeks to place more nuclear missiles there.

Contributors

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Rozina Sabur (National Security Editor). @RozinaSaburon X.

With thanks to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

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CONTENT REFERENCED:

US presses NATO for major reset, ending mission in Iraq (The Telegraph):

https://www.politico.eu/article/us-presses-nato-reset-cut-foreign-missions-allies-peacekeeping-iraq-kosovo/

Russian commanders demand £30k to spare soldiers from front line (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/19/russian-commanders-demand-30k-spare-soldiers-front-line/

Over 1,000 Kenyans enlisted to fight in Russia-Ukraine war, report says (BBC):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8w266769go

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Exclusive: Russian commanders charging up to $30,000 to spare soldiers from the frontlines in Ukraine & ‘You’re not evil’: Trump unveils Board of Peace

Ukraine: The Latest

Exclusive: Russian commanders charging up to $30,000 to spare soldiers from the frontlines in Ukraine & ‘You’re not evil’: Trump unveils Board of Peace