President of Ecuador confirms refusal to transfer weapons to Ukraine

“To our surprise, the United States has publicly stated that this equipment will be used in the armed conflict in Ukraine, and we do not want to be part of it,” Noboa said.In January, it was reported that Ecuador would send six Soviet military helicopters, long-range missile launchers and air defense systems to the United States. In exchange, the country was to receive modern weapons to counter powerful drug trafficking cartels."
MS

Armed Civilian Shoots Terrorist, Saves Lives in Terror Attack Near Jerusalem

"Hananya Ben Shimon, 23, an Israeli reservist fresh from military service in Gaza, shot and killed one of three Palestinian terrorists who had opened fire on civilians stuck in traffic on Thursday near Jerusalem, helping to stop the deadly attack." Breitbart

Russia attacks Ukraine with drones and missiles overnight

"Russian occupiers attacked the territory of Ukraine with attack drones and missiles of several types. Combat work to repel the air attack was carried out in four regions, according to the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In total, the Russians launched 31 Shaheds at Ukraine." MS

France, Greece, and Cyprus veto Turkish drone acquisition for Ukrainian army

"Plans were in place for the Ukrainian army to acquire Bayraktar TB2 drones utilizing funds from the EU's "Peace Fund". This was a part of a larger procurement of defense products from Turkey geared towards addressing Ukraine's immediate necessities.....The French service Opex360 reported that the drone acquisition plan was obstructed by three countries. During the Political and Security Committee meeting of the European Union, France, Greece, and Cyprus exercised their veto. The countries contended that EU funds should exclusively facilitate the purchase of defense products, such as ammunition and military equipment, made in EU nations." MS

North Korean Missile Used By Russia In Ukraine War Traced To US Companies, Debris Reveals

"The remains of a North Korean missile used by Russia in Ukraine have been traced back to U.S. companies, potentially exposing illicit procurement networks.

What Happened: The Conflict Armament Research (CAR) organization, based in the UK, analyzed the remnants of a North Korean ballistic missile used by Russia against Ukrainian forces in Kharkiv on Jan. 2. The organization found that a significant number of electronic components, including those for the missile’s navigation system, were recently manufactured and bore the marks of U.S.-based companies. The report, released this week, revealed that 75% of the components were linked to U.S.-based companies, 16% to European companies, and 11% to Asian companies. The date codes on the components indicated that over three-quarters were produced between 2021 and 2023, suggesting that the missile could not have been assembled before March last year." MS

US Chief Petty Officer Charged with Espionage

"A U.S. Navy sailor has been charged with espionage after he allegedly leaked sensitive military materials to an agent for a foreign government numerous times over a six-month period.

NBC News reported Chief Petty Officer Fire Controlman Bryce Pedicini is alleged to have taken classified documents or other materials and passed them on to another individual at least seven times from November 2022 until May of 2023. Pedicini is a 16-year Navy veteran who had been stationed in Japan.
He was working aboard the guided-missile destroyer the U.S.S. Higgins during the alleged document dumps. The USNI reported it is alleged Pedicini made his first contact with an agent for another government on Nov. 22, 2022, in Hampton Roads, Virginia. From May 8 to May 17 of last year, Pedicini allegedly tried to link up several times with a foreign agent in Yokosuka, Japan.
Per the charge sheet, Pedicini allegedly attempted to pass along images he took of secret information from a computer screen during those attempted meetups." MS

U.S. imposes more than 500 new Russia sanctions after Navalny death

"The Biden administration announced that it will hit Russia with hundreds of new sanctions after the death of dissident Alexei Navalny,....

The United States will impose more than 500 new sanctions on Russian companies and individuals, according to a Treasury Department spokeswoman." MS

Transnistria Assembly Fuels Speculation Separatist State Aims To Join Russia

"The faltering bid of congressional warhawks to continue to provide Ukraine with a blank check isn't the only sign of Russia's geopolitical strength in eastern Europe. As the future of the war in Ukraine hinges on that crucial aid package, another region has emerged as evidence of Russia's growing sphere of influence. Pridnestrovie, a region bordering Ukraine known better under the western exonym Transnistria, is scheduled to address Russian President Vladimir Putin at its next congressional assembly on February 28th. The forthcoming address appears to the latest step in a trajectory trending toward the breakaway state seeking complete separation from Romania and assimilation into the Russian Federation." ZH

Russia Says Navalny Died Of Natural Causes As Western MSM Anoints Widow "Newest Opposition Leader"

"Russian authorities have said that the opposition activist Aleksei Navalny died of natural causes while in prison in a far northern Arctic penal colony. It comes nearly a full week after Russian prison services announced he died on Feb.16.

There's now a public fight over his body, and the question of a funeral service, as his family and legal team have complained they are being denied access to the deceased. Condemnations have come in from various Western countries, and have pointed at the Putin government, ultimately blaming the Kremlin for his death while in custody. Navalny's mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, has newly accused Russian officials of seeking to pressure her into accepting a secret burial, presumably to prevent it from becoming a major televised memorial event. Navalny's legal team has seen a death report saying his death was "natural" - however, few other specifics has been made public.
Meanwhile, Western press has already hailed that his wife Yulia is carrying on the work of team Navalny and will lead the political "opposition" against Putin. Name recognition inside Russia is a whole different question..." ZH