'A life hanging by a thread' in Avdiivka

A bleak future for Avdiivka

Ukraine withdraws from its position on the outskirts of Avdiivka.

"After months of confrontation, the command decided to withdraw from the Zenit stronghold in the southeastern suburbs of Avdiivka... This decision was made to protect troops and improve the operational situation," AFP quoted General Oleksandr Tarnavsky, head of the Tavria armed forces responsible for the fighting in Avdiivka.

"Controlling these positions does not provide a strategic advantage for the Russian army on the battlefield, nor does it change the situation regarding the Avdiivka defense operation," General Tarnavskyi added.

Points of conflict: Ukraine withdraws troops from Avdiivka; US seizes ship carrying weapons for Houthi rebels.

Earlier on February 16, the commander acknowledged that "the situation in Avdiivka is difficult but under control. Fierce fighting is taking place in the city."

"The (Bakhmut) front was difficult, but now (Avdiivka) is even more difficult," said Oleksandr Borodin, spokesman for Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade, adding that the situation is becoming increasingly tense because Russian forces are better equipped than before.

Ukraine's newly appointed Supreme Commander-in-Chief, General Oleksandr Syrsky, has ordered urgent reinforcements for Avdiivka, but new information from General Tarnavsky and the 3rd Assault Brigade suggests Kyiv may be preparing to withdraw from the city.

Russian troops are currently surrounding Avdiivka on three sides and are increasing pressure on the area.

Regarding the situation elsewhere, the Russian Ministry of Defense said on February 16 that Ukraine had lost at least 1,820 soldiers in the Donetsk region over the past week. Kyiv has not commented on this information.

Bilateral security agreements with Germany and France.

German and Ukrainian leaders and the recently signed security agreement.

While the situation in Avdiivka remained tense, President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Europe and signed historic bilateral security agreements with Germany and France.

The signing ceremony took place in Berlin between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Zelensky during his visit to the country, according to AFP on February 16.

The Berlin government said the agreement included security commitments and long-term support for the Kyiv government.

Estonian intelligence says Russia is preparing for military confrontation with NATO.

Specifically, Germany and Ukraine agreed that, in the event of a future Russian attack, one of the two countries requesting consultations on the next steps must decide within 24 hours, Reuters reported.

"If action is deemed necessary, Berlin will quickly provide Ukraine with security assistance, modern military equipment on all necessary platforms, and economic support," according to the 10-year agreement.

The two countries also agreed to continue working to ensure increased economic aid pressure and export controls against Russia.

And at the meeting in Berlin, Scholz announced an immediate military aid package worth 1.1 billion euros for Ukraine.

The signing ceremony for the bilateral security agreement between France and Ukraine is expected to take place in Paris this afternoon (local time). The French President's office confirmed the information but did not provide any details about the event.

Russian Foreign Minister 'exposes' EU's plot

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Speaking at a conference in Moscow on February 16, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the European Union (EU) had advised Ukraine that Kyiv needed to rely on long-range weapons aid to "penetrate deep into the heart of Russia."

"According to our information, the European External Action Agency has made proposals to Ukraine, based on the fact that the EU is powerless to win and Ukraine will lose if it continues with its current options. That is why the EU needs to bet on transferring more long-range weapons to Ukraine, so that Kyiv can strike at the heart of Russia, as the EU describes it," Sputnik News quoted Lavrov as saying.

Did Ukraine refuse to accept aid in the form of "flying junk" F-18 fighter jets from Australia?

The Russian Foreign Minister also noted that, regarding the situation in Ukraine, Britain is adopting an even more aggressive and complex stance than the United States.

Neither Ukraine, the UK, nor the US have commented on Lavrov's statement.

In a related development, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Johnson said Stockholm is ready to supply Ukraine with modern fighter jets such as the F-16. The prerequisite is that the Nordic country becomes a full member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, according to the Kyiv Independent on February 16.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/chien-su-ukraine-ngay-722-ngan-can-treo-soi-toc-o-avdiivka-185240216190519429.htm