Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk wrote on the Telegram messaging app that Ukrainian forces shot down two Russian Su-34 bombers and a Su-35 fighter jet over eastern Ukraine on February 17, according to Reuters.
If confirmed, the claim would see Moscow lose more than $100 million worth of advanced fighter jets in total, Reuters reported.
Since receiving advanced Western air defense systems, Kyiv has been able to deploy these weapons to pose an increasing threat to Russian aircraft in areas close to the front line, according to Reuters.
As of late February 17, there was no information about Russia's reaction to Ukraine's statement.
Several Ukrainian soldiers captured in fierce fighting in Avdiivka
Ukrainian military commander Oleksandr Syrsky announced on Facebook on February 17 that Ukrainian soldiers had withdrawn from the city of Avdiivka, according to Reuters.
Several residential buildings were heavily damaged, allegedly due to Russian military attacks, in the frontline city of Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast (Ukraine) on November 8, 2023.
The announcement came after Ukrainian regional commander Oleksandr Tarnavskiy said on February 16 that several of his soldiers had been captured in fierce fighting in the frontline city of Avdiivka.
See also : Several soldiers captured, Ukrainian commander-in-chief orders withdrawal from Avdiivka
Ukrainian President gives reasons for withdrawing troops from Avdiivka
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on February 17 that the decision to withdraw troops from the frontline city of Avdiivka in the east was made to "save the lives of soldiers".
"To avoid being surrounded, they decided to retreat to another line. This does not mean that everyone retreated a few kilometers and Russia gained something, they did not gain anything," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, according to AFP.
As of late February 17, there was no information about Russia's reaction to Ukraine's withdrawal from Avdiivka.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on February 17 that Russian forces had advanced along the front line in several different directions. “Avdiivka, as the main point of resistance of the Ukrainian armed forces, has fallen,” pro-Russian military blogger Yury Podolyak wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
See more : Ukrainian President gives reason for withdrawing troops from Avdiivka: 'not because of Russia'
Ukrainian UAVs attack 5 Russian provinces?
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on February 17 that air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 33 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the skies over the Russian provinces of Belgorod, Voronezh, Kursk, Bryansk and Kaluga on the night of February 16-17, according to TASS news agency.
"Last night, an attempt by the Kyiv authorities to carry out a terrorist attack using 33 types of drones on Russian territory was thwarted. The air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed four UAVs over the Belgorod region, four UAVs over the Voronezh region, one UAV over the Kursk region, 18 UAVs over the Bryansk region and six UAVs over the Kaluga region," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
As of late February 17, there was no information about Ukraine's response to Russia's accusations.
See more : Mr. Putin sent a new warning to Ukraine after Russian soil was continuously attacked?
US estimates Russia's losses in nearly 2 years of conflict with Ukraine
NHK reported on February 17 that a senior US Defense Department official on February 16 revealed estimates from the Pentagon that nearly two years of fighting in Ukraine have cost Moscow up to $211 billion and caused more than 310,000 military casualties.
The official said the money could have been spent on equipment, deployment and maintenance of operations in Ukraine.
The official confirmed that Ukrainian forces had sunk, destroyed or damaged at least 20 medium-sized or larger Russian Navy ships.
The official added that without additional funding, Ukraine would not have enough air defense systems to protect its cities, critical infrastructure and frontline troops from Russia's continued missile barrage.
The official then called on the US Congress to quickly pass an emergency budget bill to provide additional military support to Ukraine.
As of late February 17, there was no information about Russia's reaction to the Pentagon's loss estimate.
See more : Ukrainian President assesses Russia's losses, reveals upcoming goals
US sends message to Russia?
US Vice President Kamala Harris said on February 17 that the administration of US President Joe Biden is ready to support Ukraine in its war with Russia "as long as necessary" and will push Russia to compensate Ukraine for damages after the conflict ends, according to Reuters.
"We will continue to work to secure a just and lasting peace. We will work to ensure that Russia pays reparations to Ukraine," Harris said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and US Vice President Kamala Harris shake hands at the end of a press conference during the Munich Security Conference in Germany on February 17.
Ms. Harris made the above commitment while President Biden's request to provide an additional $60 billion for Kyiv was stalled in the US Congress.
See also: US Senate passes bill with aid to Ukraine, House Speaker warns
Ukraine faces many risks due to overexploitation of artillery
The Ukrainian military's overexploitation of its artillery systems has caused more problems than just a lack of ammunition, according to a new report.
According to Business Insider , the special inspector general's report to the US Congress on Operation Atlantic Resolve (the US's campaign to rotate forces in Europe to counter Russia since 2014), released on February 15, said: "The level of firing (artillery shells) continuously exceeded the level of supply from international aid sources and domestic production in Ukraine."
More seriously, the report also notes that “the high level of firing by the Ukrainian military also has a corresponding impact on the maintenance of domestically and internationally funded artillery systems.”
Russia puts aside tensions over Ukraine to buy bananas from Ecuador?
Russia's lifting of the ban on banana imports from Ecuador is a surprising move by Moscow, as the two sides have recently had conflicts over the Ukraine issue.
AFP reported today, February 17, that Russia has lifted its ban on banana imports from Ecuador. Information about Moscow's decision was confirmed by Ecuador's Trade Minister Sonsoles Garcia in a statement posted on the social networking site X on February 16.
“We will continue to work to ensure smooth trade with Russia, an important destination for our agricultural exports,” Garcia added.
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