Ukraine and Russia Exchange Attacks; Trump Suggests Ukraine 'Could Be Russian'

Ukraine reported that Russian forces attacked Ukrainian gas infrastructure on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, causing emergency power outages to mitigate potential impacts on generation and transmission systems. The state gas company, Naftogaz, reported damage to its processing facilities in the Poltava region, leaving several localities without supply. Simultaneously, Ukraine claimed responsibility for an attack on a Russian refinery in the Saratov region. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center against Disinformation of the National Security Council, stated that the Saratov refinery is a key facility in Russia's fuel infrastructure, processing up to 7 million tons per year. A night-time attack was also reported in Engels, Saratov region, home to a Russian airbase used in attacks against Ukraine. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted 40 Ukrainian drones over five regions. In an interview, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Ukraine "could be Russian someday" and reiterated his demand for access to Ukrainian rare earth resources in exchange for U.S. aid. Trump also mentioned his envoy Keith Kellogg's upcoming visit to Ukraine on February 20 to outline a proposal for ending the conflict. Ukrainian President is scheduled to meet with the U.S. Vice President at a security conference in Munich on February 14. The U.S. Department of Justice has instructed federal prosecutors to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams related to Turkish connections. The instruction was issued by Acting U.S. Attorney Emil Bove, appointed by President Trump. Bove stated that the decision is unrelated to the case's merits but acknowledged its potential impact on Adams' 2025 mayoral campaign and his ability to address illegal immigration and violent crime. Bove indicated that the charges could be reconsidered after the confirmation of Jay Clayton to lead the New York Southern District office and following the November 4, 2025, mayoral election. German scientists have developed a new technology to reduce the volume and radioactivity of nuclear waste. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich and TÜV Inspection Authority have found a way to transform nuclear waste into less hazardous elements. This process, called "transmutation," involves bombarding spent fuel rods with neutrons to change them into less dangerous substances. The technology can also extract valuable metals like uranium, radium, and ruthenium, as well as noble gases like xenon and krypton. The first transmutation plant is estimated to cost 1.6 billion dollars and will reduce the radioactivity of non-recyclable nuclear waste from 10 million years to just 800 years.