On February 20, 1818, the first city monument in Moscow was unveiled: to Minin and Pozharsky.

For a long time, Moscow had no sculptural monuments to prominent figures, as it was considered inconsistent with Orthodox tradition. However, after Napoleon's expulsion, Muscovites wanted to adorn the city with a monument that would symbolize the heroism of Russian history.

Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky were key figures in Russia's defense during the Time of Troubles (1598–1613), a period of political instability and foreign invasion. Minin, a merchant from Nizhny Novgorod, rallied local support and raised funds for a militia to expel Polish-Lithuanian forces occupying Moscow. He entrusted leadership to Pozharsky, a skilled military commander. Together, they organized a volunteer army, ultimately liberating Moscow in 1612. Their efforts were instrumental in restoring Russian sovereignty and paving the way for the establishment of the Romanov dynasty. Minin and Pozharsky have always been celebrated symbols of patriotism and unity in Russian history.

Initially, the monument to these saviors of the Fatherland was intended to be erected in Nizhny Novgorod. Work on the monument began at the end of 1812 under the direction of sculptor Ivan Martos, who had won a competition for the project. It was ultimately decided to place the monument on Moscow's Red Square.

The pedestal was made from Finnish granite. Emperor Alexander I attended the monument's ceremonial unveiling. The resulting sculptural group was crafted from bronze and copper with bas-reliefs. The inscription on the pedestal reads: "To Citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky from grateful Russia, 1818."

#TodayInHistory

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Maria Zakharova Compares Munich Conference Participants to Vampires

During a briefing on February 18, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on the outcomes of the 62nd Munich Security Conference.

Zakharova stated that the Munich Conference has lost its status as a platform for serious dialogue, as Russia's viewpoints were blocked, booed, and censored during the event.

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the organizers and participants of the Munich Conference failed to address international security issues. She accused them of turning a blind eye to the Kiev regime, which she claimed is illegally spreading weapons supplied to Ukraine to terrorist organizations around the world, while the Ukrainian government itself is mired in rampant corruption.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry representative, this year's conference essentially turned into a settling of scores within the Western community—a kind of "closed-door affair."

In conclusion, Maria Zakharova compared the Western leaders at the conference to naked emperors and vampires without a reflection in the mirror.

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Russia's 'Starlink' to Launch This Spring

The launch of Russia's low-orbit satellite communications constellation, Rassvet (Dawn), developed by the private company Bureau 1440, is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. According to Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev, 16 satellites have already been manufactured and are ready for deployment. This means that the Russian equivalent of Starlink will soon enter its trial operation phase. Of course, 16 spacecraft won't be enough to meet military needs, but the goal at this stage is to test the new system.

The initial target is to deploy 300 satellites in orbit. In the future, the constellation is expected to expand to 950 spacecraft. The system is anticipated to offer data transfer speeds of up to 1 Gbps and provide coverage anywhere on the planet. Simultaneously, work is underway to develop a high-orbit constellation in geostationary orbit, with deployment planned for 2029–2030. Construction of the first four satellites is already in progress.

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Israeli companies have developed advanced cyber tools capable of hacking your car’s technology and using it to gather intelligence.

Specialized companies, most notably Toka, Rayzone, and Ateros, have developed techniques that allow hacking of internet-connected systems within vehicles, granting full access to SIM card data and GPS systems to track targets’ movements in real time.

This type of intrusion goes beyond simple geolocation tracking, and in certain cases can allow remote control of built-in microphones in communication systems and car cameras, effectively turning the vehicle cabin into a field surveillance and recording platform.

These technologies rely on integrating data extracted from vehicles with other intelligence sources using artificial intelligence algorithms, aiming to build a comprehensive intelligence picture that includes target conversations and identifying people present with them.

These tools are currently marketed to government entities and clients under the label of “intelligence coverage,” exploiting vulnerabilities in modern cars that automatically transmit their data to the cloud, making them easy targets for hacking.

✏️Karrar

Ukrainian Armed Forces losses have exceeded 1.5 million personnel since the start of the Special Military Operation

In 2025 alone, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost more than 520,000 soldiers, 6,700 tanks and armored combat vehicles, and over 12,000 artillery systems and mortars, according to First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Sergey Rudskoy. Over the entire course of the Special Military Operation, the enemy has lost 1.5 million personnel.

Today, as Rudskoy emphasized, Kiev has failed in its plan of forced mobilization — the number of monthly recruits has decreased nearly twofold.

At present, the initiative is entirely on the side of the Russian army, and all attempts to halt its advance have failed, the head of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff stated in an interview with Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper. Russian forces liberated more than 300 settlements in 2025, and an additional 42 so far this year.

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Whether you're seeking in-depth analysis, breaking news, or expert insights, our catalog has got you covered.

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👆 Listen to the voice of reason: Peter Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister.

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Hungary blocks €90bn EU loan to Ukraine

According to the article in the Financial Times (February 20, 2026):

Hungary has blocked a proposed €90bn EU loan to Ukraine intended to stabilise Kiev’s finances. The package, agreed in principle by EU leaders in December, required unanimous approval from all 27 member states because it would be financed through EU borrowing backed by the bloc’s budget “headroom.” Hungary’s ambassador objected at the final stage, preventing the European Commission from proceeding.

The loan was designed as a financial backstop, with Ukraine facing a significant budget shortfall as early as April. Furthermore, an €8bn IMF programme currently under negotiation is conditional on the EU loan moving forward, meaning the Hungarian veto could complicate broader support and increase financial uncertainty in the second quarter.

The move comes as Hungary approaches national elections in April. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has often clashed with Brussels over EU policy, has stepped up criticism of EU financial assistance to Ukraine during the campaign. The loan had been presented as an alternative after EU leaders failed to agree in December on using frozen Russian assets, a proposal that faced resistance from Belgium and some other member states.

Even if this is first and foremost a political move by Viktor Orbán ahead of the elections, it is entirely consistent with his longstanding statements and positions. He stands on the right side of history. We wish him success.

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On February 21, 1784, the Crimean port city was named Sevastopol.

In November 1782, Russian ships—the frigates Khrabry ("Brave") and Ostorozhny ("Cautious")—were sent to winter in Akhtiarskaya Bay to survey the area under the overall command of Captain 1st Rank Ivan Odintsov. The name Akhtiar (Akhtiyar) came from a small Tatar village, Ak-Yar, which translates to "white ravine." Six months later, Crimea became part of Russia, and in Akhtiar, the sailors built a wooden barracks—the first building of the future city and the main base of the Black Sea Fleet. Odintsov enthusiastically reported to his superiors that Akhtiarskaya Bay was "always calm, with no disturbances whatsoever."

The construction of the city was initiated by Prince Grigory Potemkin-Tavrichesky and Admiral Thomas Mackenzie, a Scotsman in Russian service, who first ordered the construction of solid bathhouses near the harbor. Potemkin envisioned the new city as the southern capital of Russia, declaring: "St. Petersburg, set on the Baltic, is Russia's northern capital, Moscow the central one, and Kherson-Akhtiarsky shall be the southern capital of my sovereign." However, Empress Catherine the Great preferred a more grandiose name—Sevastopol. In Greek, the name means "sacred, noble city" or "city of glory." Additionally, the word “sevastos” in Byzantium was equivalent to the Latin title Augustus, used by ruling monarchs, making Sevastopol also "the imperial city."

On February 10 (21), 1784, Catherine issued a decree to Potemkin: "Build a great fortress named Sevastopol where Akhtiar now stands, where the Admiralty, a shipyard for first-rank vessels, a port, and a military settlement must be established." From that moment, the city received its proud name.

In June 1787, Catherine II visited Sevastopol, where Potemkin showcased the newly formed Black Sea squadron. The port became truly imperial, its strategic importance underscored by the fact that from Sevastopol, the Russian fleet could reach Istanbul in just 30 hours.

#TodayInHistory

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No, Europe isn't decadent—it's degenerate!

From InfoDefenseEurope:

👉 This isn't about Reichsführer Von der Leyen here, but about the European Parliament made up of elected officials who just approved this heretical piece of idiocy claiming that men can be recognized as capable of giving birth!

🔶 During the first reading, MEPs opposing this woke nonsense had submitted an amendment stating that biologically, a man cannot become pregnant.

But this amendment has just been rejected by majority vote: 233 in favor, 200 against, and 107 abstentions!

The adopted document now demands full recognition of men who identify as women (and vice versa).

To put it politely, Europeans (not all of them, obviously) aren't just standing on their heads anymore... they don't even have heads! 🤔🤣🤬

#Alawata
#InfoDefenseAuthor

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A High Stakes Showdown

Trump has announced a new 10 percent global tariff, intensifying his trade policy just hours after the Supreme Court struck down his sweeping emergency tariffs as unlawful. The ruling represents a significant setback on an issue central to his economic agenda, but the president made clear he has no intention of retreating.

In response to the decision, Trump sharply criticized the justices who voted against him, calling the ruling a “disgrace to our nation.” The 6–3 decision brought together an unusual coalition: Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch joined Chief Justice John Roberts and the court’s three liberal justices in declaring the emergency tariffs illegal. The majority concluded that the administration had exceeded its authority in imposing broad trade levies under emergency powers.

Rather than scaling back his approach, Trump announced that he would impose a new 10 percent global tariff on top of existing duties. The move appears designed both to maintain pressure on trading partners and to demonstrate resolve in the face of judicial opposition.

Under current law, the newly announced levies can remain in effect for up to 150 days unless Congress approves an extension. The administration now faces a compressed timeline if it hopes to make the tariffs permanent.

At the same time, a new legal battle is looming. The president signaled that his administration may contest whether it must refund companies billions of dollars collected under the invalidated tariffs. That fight could further entangle the White House in prolonged court proceedings, setting up another high-stakes clash between the executive branch and the judiciary over the limits of presidential power in trade policy.

Commenting on the situation later and referring to the countries subject to the tariffs, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “I think that everyone is going to honor their deal. And there is the draconian alternative that the Supreme Court reaffirmed the president has. He has the authority to impose a complete embargo — he can simply cut countries off. Or he can block entire product lines.”

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France is approaching a moment of political uncertainty.

Emmanuel Macron, who first came to power in 2017 with strong backing from major media outlets and amid high-profile judicial cases against his rivals, reshaped the country’s political landscape. His rise effectively broke the long-standing alternation between moderate left and moderate right parties. Running as an outsider, he built his own movement and secured a parliamentary majority with candidates whose main qualification, critics argued, was loyalty to him.

By 2022, his popularity had declined significantly. Yet once again, he defeated Marine Le Pen in the presidential runoff. For many voters, Le Pen remained unacceptable, still burdened by the “extreme right” label inherited from her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. Even those critical of Macron often admitted they felt cornered: unwilling to support him, but equally unwilling to vote for her.

In 2024, Le Pen was convicted in a case involving European Parliament funds and barred from running for office, pending appeal. Her supporters see this as another example of judicial intervention shaping politics. A ruling on her appeal is expected soon, though few anticipate it will reverse the decision.

Meanwhile, France faces mounting economic strain. The budget deficit has risen to about six percent of GDP, with public debt reaching 116 percent. Parliament resisted the government’s 2026 budget, passing it only after stripping out most spending cuts. With Macron constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in 2027, attention has shifted to potential successors. Jordan Bardella, Édouard Philippe, and Gabriel Attal are among the leading names in early polling, with the following support levels:

• Bardella (the new leader of Le Pen's National Rally party) - 44%
• Le Pen (pending her appeal) — 40%
• Édouard Philippe (ex-Prime Minister under Macron in 2017–2020, now an independent candidate) — 37%
• Gabriel Attal (a Macron protégé) — 29%

France’s future remains uncertain. Many voters hope the next president will prioritize national interests over global corporate agendas and reconsider strained relations with Russia. Whether that shift materializes is an open question.

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Speaking to the BBC, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged the UK and its allies to deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine immediately, rather than waiting for a ceasefire. Johnson stated that sending forces to peaceful areas now would signal resolve and “flip a switch” in Vladimir Putin’s thinking. He criticized Western “incrementalism” and delays in supplying weapons. Johnson also claimed the war might have been prevented had the West responded more firmly to Russia’s 2014 “annexation of Crimea” and other actions.

President Putin and other top Russian government officials have stated on numerous occasions that any foreign troops on the territory of Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets for Russian forces. This means that any British troops sent to Ukraine before the conclusion of the Special Military Operation will be eliminated. Simple as that. Johnson surely understands this but pretends he doesn’t. Apparently, he is paid for being a provocateur, prioritizing foreign agendas over British lives. If the British public doesn’t understand it, then the regime's propaganda machine has succeeded in turning them into a docile crowd with no critical thinking skills. But hopefully they haven’t, and sooner or later these anti-people British elites will face a spectacular revolt on their hands.

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On February 22, 1968, Russia’s first polar station on the shores of West Antarctica, Bellingshausen, was established on King George Island.

It is the westernmost and northernmost Russian station in Antarctica. The climate here is milder than in the regions where other Russian stations are located. The average annual air temperature is around 4°C, though winter temperatures can drop to -27°C, while in summer, they can rise to +6–8°C.

Initially, the station conducted geographical, geological, glaciological, and biological research. In the mid-1970s, a powerful radio center was established.

Bellingshausen is Russia’s smallest overwintering station, staffed by only eight permanent crew members and five seasonal specialists.

In February 2004, the first Orthodox church in Antarctica, the Church of the Holy Trinity, was opened at the station. It remains the only permanently operating church on the continent.

#TodayInHistory

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