Ukraine’s Drone Defense | Tesla's European Plant Opens | Hunting Putin's Super Yacht

Plus: While Russians Bombs Fall Around Them, Ukraine’s Engineers Battle To Keep The Internet Running

Good morning.

Nearly a month since Russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s Turkish-made TB-2 drones have emerged as one of the most potent weapons in the country's efforts to counter Moscow’s military might. We’re also covering the much-anticipated—and slightly delayed—opening of Tesla’s first European plant, Giga Berlin, and a report linking Russian President Vladimir Putin to a 459-foot-long super yacht. Finally, we take a deeper dive with the Ukrainian technicians risking their lives to keep the country online.

In The News Today

More than 3.5 million Ukrainians have fled the country since Russia invaded last month. Follow our live blog for the latest news about the war and its repercussions. 

The U.S. Department of State announced visa restrictions for some Chinese officials linked to the repression of minority groups, dissidents and activists in China.

Top Take-Aways

The Ukraine Ministry of Defense criticized French-based retailer Leroy Merlin following reports that the billionaire-linked home-improvement chain was seeking to bolster operations in Russia as rivals have suspended or ended ties to the country to protest President Vladimir Putin’s war.

Ukraine’s small force of Turkish-made TB-2 drones have proven their worth on the battlefield. Analysts report the cheap, and plodding, drones dismantled whole swathes of Russia’s front-line air-defense network and smashed Russian tanks and supply trucks.

The Anti-Corruption Foundation, a nonprofit group founded by jailed Kremlin dissident Alexei Navalny, claimed to have linked Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Scheherazade, one of the world’s top 20 largest yachts worth an estimated $700 million.

The spouse of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Ginni Thomas, has contributed at least $15,000 to Republican political committees, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest for her husband.

The long-awaited opening of Tesla’s Giga Berlin plant this week comes at a tricky time, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drives up costs of materials for batteries, global microchips supply remains tight, and local water supply issues could dampen billionaire CEO Elon Musk's big ambitions. 

Summer airfares are climbing fast, with airline executives warning that prices are only going to get steeper as we head into spring and summer. Airfare experts caution against believing that this is entirely due to jet fuel prices, and recommend to keep an eye out for good deals.

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