"Deadly Birthday Gift: Aide to Ukraine's Top General Killed by Grenade"

A close military adviser to Ukraine's army commander-in-chief was killed after a grenade among birthday presents exploded, leaving his son seriously injured. Ukraine's president called the deaths of at least 19 soldiers in a Russian missile strike a tragedy that could have been avoided, while defense chiefs face scrutiny over the event's staging in a vulnerable frontline village. President Zelenskiy stated that holding elections in wartime is irresponsible and called for unity. In the US, some Senate Republicans have proposed border security measures as a condition for sending more aid to Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has decided to run in the March presidential election, aiming to stay in power until at least 2030. Radio Free Europe believes Russia may have taken one of its journalists hostage for a potential prisoner swap. Ukrainian transport company owners blocked Polish border crossings in protest against unfair competition. Ukraine's grain exports have fallen by almost a third compared to last year, and Odesa's national art museum was damaged by a Russian strike.