As of: February 17, 2024, 6:16 a.m
By: Nail Akkoyun, Bettina Menzel, Stefan Krieger
Comments
Press
Split
The city of Avdiivka falls to Russia, but Ukrainian troops want to return.
Germany is sending more help.
News ticker about the Ukraine war.
Further
help
for
Kiev
: Germany is sending, among other things, reconnaissance drones
Cooperation between
NATO
and
Ukraine
: Center for analyzing military experiences planned
The information processed here comes from international media and news agencies, but also from the warring parties Russia and Ukraine and their allies.
In particular, the information on losses suffered by the armies involved in the Ukrainian war cannot be independently verified.
Update from February 17th, 6:16 a.m.:
The Ukrainian army is withdrawing from the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, which has been fought over for months, in the war against the Russian invaders.
“Given the operational situation around Avdiivka, I decided to withdraw our units from the city and go into defense on more favorable lines in order to avoid encirclement and protect the life and health of soldiers,” wrote new Ukrainian commander-in-chief Alexander Syrskyj early Saturday morning on the platform X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
But the army apparently doesn't want to give up the city.
They will return, he said.
Syrsky further wrote that the soldiers fulfilled their military duty with dignity and did everything “to destroy the best Russian military units”;
they inflicted significant losses on personnel and equipment on the enemy.
“We are taking measures to stabilize the situation and maintain our positions.” The lives of military personnel are the highest value.
Russia has been trying to conquer Avdiivka since October 2023 with heavy losses.
Since 2014, the former industrial city has been an outpost of Ukraine in the immediate vicinity of Donetsk, the Russian-controlled capital of the Donbass coal and steel district.
A conquest of the city by Russian troops would not be strategically important, but it could be exploited by the Kremlin for propaganda purposes before the Russian presidential election in March, wrote the experts at the US Institute for War Studies.
Russian troops have been trying to capture Avdiivka since October 2023 with heavy losses.
© Libkos/AP/dpa
New aid and military supplies to Ukraine from Germany
Update from February 16, 10:49 p.m.:
As part of the latest delivery, Germany handed over 3,990 155 mm grenades, eight armored personnel carriers, three Wisent mine clearing tanks and other relief supplies to Ukraine, according to a statement from the federal government on Friday.
There were also reconnaissance drones, mine clearing plows, border protection vehicles and IT equipment.
Berlin also promised to supply additional weapons worth around 1.1 billion euros for the defensive campaign against Russia.
This was announced by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj in the German capital on Friday.
Germany and Ukraine sign security agreement: “Historic step”
Update from February 16, 7:59 p.m.:
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj signed a bilateral security agreement on Friday.
“The importance of the document can hardly be overestimated,” said Scholz afterwards, describing the agreement as a “historic step”.
The agreement stipulates that Germany will continue to support Ukraine in its defense against the Russian war of aggression - and for as long as necessary, said Scholz.
My news
Putin speaks in Moscow about the one thing he regrets about the Ukraine war
Navalny is dead according to the Russian authorities: Read the first report on the possible cause of death
“If you don’t want us as Bavaria …”: Söder threatens to leave the Federal Republic of Germany – and calls for compulsory military service
Ukrainians proudly demonstrate Leopard 1 tanks to ZDF - but there's a lot missing from it
“Tortured to death”: Navalny supporters suspect Putin’s perfidious murder plot read
Shortly after the death was announced, Navalny's wife spoke on Munich Siko - and wanted to "hold Putin accountable" read
CDU leader Friedrich Merz then again called for Taurus cruise missiles to be delivered to Kiev.
“Very concrete conclusions” must now be drawn from the agreement, the Union faction leader told the broadcaster Welt TV on Friday.
The debate about a possible Taurus delivery from Germany has been going on for almost a year.
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) briefly commented on this on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
“There is no new information about it,” the minister commented in response to a query from the
Kyiv Independent
.
US figures: 315,000 Russian soldiers injured or killed since the start of the war
Update from February 16, 6:12 p.m.:
According to the US Department of Defense, at least 315,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the fighting in Ukraine.
US Vice President Kamala Harris also mentioned this number in her speech at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian General Staff also reported on Friday that there had been over 400,000 dead or injured Russian soldiers since the beginning of the war.
According to Washington, Russia has likely spent up to $211 billion on its war against Ukraine.
The sum includes direct financial costs for equipping, deploying and sustaining Russian military operations in Ukraine, a senior US Defense Department official said on Friday.
Arms deals lost as a result of the war have so far cost Russia ten billion dollars.
Russian Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny dead, according to information from Moscow
Update from February 16, 2 p.m.:
Russian Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has died in prison, according to Russian authorities.
He felt “unwell,” fell to the ground and could not be saved, a statement from the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service said.
Since the start of the Ukraine war: Kiev reports over 400,000 dead or injured Russian soldiers
Update from February 16, 11:55 a.m.:
While Russian and Ukrainian troops are engaged in fierce fighting in eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian General Staff has published new figures on Russian losses.
Accordingly, more than 1,200 Russian soldiers were killed or injured in the last 24 hours.
The number of Russian soldiers killed or injured since the start of the war has exceeded 400,000.
Soldiers:
400,3000 (+1210)
Tank:
6465 (+23)
Armored Fighting Vehicles:
12,129 (+39)
Artillery systems
: 9641 (+21)
Aircraft:
332
Helicopters:
325
Drones
: 7408 (+4)
Air defense systems:
671
Ships/Boats
: 25
Automotive equipment and tankers:
12,716 (+25)
Submarines:
1
Multiple rocket launchers:
984
Source:
Ukrainian General Staff as of
February 16, 2024.
The information about Russia's losses comes from the Ukrainian army.
They cannot be independently verified.
Russia itself does not provide any information about its own losses in the Ukraine war.
Ukrainian general speaks of “fierce fighting” in eastern Ukraine
Update from February 16, 10:45 a.m.:
According to a high-ranking Ukrainian general, Ukrainian and Russian troops are engaged in fierce fighting in the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka.
“Fierce fighting is taking place in the city,” General Oleksandr Tarnavsky said in online media on Friday.
“Our troops are using all available forces and means to push back the enemy.” The general described the situation in Avdiivka as “difficult but controlled.”
Commanders had been tasked with “stabilizing the situation,” Tarnawskij continued.
New positions are being prepared.
The army said it was increasing its troops.
“According to the decision made, the planned reinforcement of units is underway,” the military said in online services.
“The Ukrainian defenders continue to repel the enemy trying to encircle Avdiivka.” The Ukrainian soldiers “are holding their ground,” it said.
Hundreds of civilians would also be evacuated.
Difficult situation in Avdiivka: Fierce fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops
Update from February 16, 9:25 a.m.:
With a view to the situation in the heavily contested eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Third Separate Attack Brigade, Alexander Borodin, spoke of a “really critical” situation, according to the Unian agency.
“The enemy continues to press, and when I say pressure I mean an incredible ratio of 7:1 in troop strength in favor of the enemy,” Borodin said.
He accused Russia of also using phosphorus bombs.
“The enemy has infinite resources,” Borodin complained, saying they had already wiped out two Russian brigades.
However, the Russian army has “constant support”.
The situation is now more difficult than in the battle for Bakhmut, which Russia was able to take in May 2023 after months of fighting.
Russia is probably making progress in the Ukraine war: Important position falls to Putin's soldiers
Update from February 16, 7:30 a.m.:
The news channel
ntv
reports that Russian armed forces have taken a strategically important position for Ukraine near the embattled city of Avdiivka.
A drone video shared by Russian military bloggers documents Kremlin soldiers raising the Russian flag at the Zenit fortress.
Bloggers close to Ukraine reported an orderly withdrawal of defense forces.
According to the broadcaster, an official statement from the Ukrainian military is still pending.
Ukrainian and Russian troops are engaged in fierce fighting in Avdiivka, according to a high-ranking Ukrainian general.
“Fierce fighting is taking place in the city,” General Oleksandr Tarnavsky told online media on Friday (February 16).
“Our troops use all available forces and means to push back the enemy.”
The Ukrainian armed forces are preparing new positions around the embattled city, Tarnavsky said.
All possible scenarios would be taken into account.
The general described the situation in Avdiivka as “difficult but controlled.”
Commanders were tasked with “stabilizing the situation.”
Avdiivka remains a focal point in the Ukrainian war
Update from February 16, 6:00 a.m.:
The USA warns of an imminent capture by the Russian army of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, which has been fought over for months.
“Avdiivka is at risk of falling into Russian hands,” US National Security Council communications director John Kirby said in Washington on Thursday (local time).
“This is happening in large part because Ukrainian forces on the ground are running out of artillery ammunition.” Russia is sending waves of conscripts to attack Ukrainian positions.
Since the US Congress has not yet passed the corresponding additional law for further aid to Ukraine, Ukraine cannot be supplied with the urgently needed artillery shells.
According to Ukrainian observers, the situation in Avdiivka is becoming increasingly difficult.
The advance of Russian forces threatens to encircle the defenders.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday: “We are doing the maximum so that our soldiers have sufficient administrative and technological capabilities to save as many Ukrainian lives as possible.” The almost completely destroyed city is considered a gateway to nearby Donetsk.
Zelenskyj announces new security architecture
First report:
Kiev - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj announced a new security architecture for his country before his visit to Germany and France this Friday.
New agreements would be concluded with the partners to make Ukraine strong in the long term.
“Ukraine has never had anything like this, although it has always been needed,” said Zelensky in his evening video message on Thursday, which he recorded this time in a train compartment.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) will receive Zelenskyj in Berlin this Friday.
Germany and Ukraine are expected to conclude a bilateral security agreement.
In the evening, Zelensky is also expected in Paris, where he also wants to reach such an agreement with his French colleague Emmanuel Macron.
The agreements are intended to bridge the time until Ukraine becomes a member of NATO.
There is currently no sign of joining the military alliance for the country attacked by Russia.
Great Britain had already concluded a first bilateral security agreement with Ukraine.
NATO wants to learn from the experiences of the Ukraine war
To this end, NATO and Ukraine are jointly setting up a center for the analysis of military experiences from the Russian war of aggression.
The unit planned in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz is intended to make it possible to learn together as efficiently as possible from current war events.
To this end, the Ukrainians could provide information about the tactics, capabilities and weaknesses of the Russian attackers.
According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, there will also be joint training.
The decision for the center with the acronym JATEC (Joint Analysis, Training and Education Center) was announced on Thursday after a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Brussels.
Ideally, the heads of state and government should give the starting signal for work at the summer summit in Washington.
So far, the exchange of knowledge gained in the defensive war against Russia has taken place, among other things, through the so-called Ukraine Contact Group, through which arms deliveries to Ukraine are also coordinated.
Details such as the exact number of employees at the center are still to be clarified.
A completely new NATO infrastructure does not need to be created in Bydgoszcz.
NATO's so-called Joint Force Training Center (JFTC) is already based in the city and is responsible, among other things, for the tactical training of armed forces.
(Talk to agency material)