'hanging by a thread' in Avdiivka

Bleak future for Avdiivka

Ukraine withdraws from stronghold on the outskirts of Avdiivka

"After months of confrontation, the command decided to withdraw from the Zenit stronghold in the southeastern suburb of Avdiivka... This was a decision 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.

"Control of these positions does not bring strategic advantages to Russian troops on the battlefield and does not change the situation regarding the Avdiivka defense operation," General Tarnavskyi added.

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

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

The newly appointed commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, General Oleksandr Syrsky, has ordered urgent reinforcements to Avdiivka, but new information from General Tarnavsky and the 3rd Assault Brigade suggests that 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 Defense Ministry said on February 16 that Ukraine lost at least 1,820 soldiers in the Donetsk region in the past week. Kyiv has not commented on the information.

Bilateral security agreements with Germany and France

German and Ukrainian leaders and the security agreement just signed

As the Avdiivka situation continues to escalate, President Volodymyr Zelensky travels to Europe and signs historic bilateral security agreements with Germany and France.

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

Berlin said the deal included long-term security and support commitments to the Kyiv government.

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Specifically, Germany and Ukraine agreed that in the event of Russia launching an attack in the future, one of the two countries sending a request for consultation on the next steps must be decided within 24 hours, Reuters reported.

"If it deems it necessary to take action, Berlin will promptly provide Ukraine with security assistance, modern military equipment on all necessary platforms, and economic assistance," according to the 10-year agreement.

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

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

The signing ceremony of the bilateral security agreement between France and Ukraine is expected to take place in Paris on the same 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 plot

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

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

"According to our information, the European External Action Service has made proposals to Ukraine, based on the fact that the EU has no way to win and Ukraine will lose if it continues with its current plans. That is why the EU needs to bet on the delivery of more long-range weapons to Ukraine, so that Kyiv can hit Russia in the head, as the EU describes it," Sputnik News quoted Lavrov as saying.

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The Russian Foreign Minister also commented that regarding the situation in Ukraine, the UK is adopting an even more aggressive and complicated stance than the US.

Ukraine, Britain and the United States have not commented on Mr. Lavrov's comments.

In a related development, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said Stockholm is ready to provide Ukraine with modern fighter jets such as the F-16. The prerequisite is that the Nordic country is admitted as an official 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