Ukraine sends reinforcements to Avdiivka; kyiv attack on Belgorod leaves at least six dead

First modification: 02/15/2024 – 17:53

4 min

Avdiivka, the center of the bloodiest ongoing dispute, in eastern Ukraine. This Thursday, February 15, kyiv proceeded to withdraw exhausted troops from the battle front who have fought there for consecutive months to make way for soldiers from another experienced squadron that fought in Bakhmutanother city in eastern Ukraine that held out for several months before being captured in May 2023.

The Ukrainian Army seeks to reinforce the defenses of the besieged city at a time when the invading troops surround it on three frontsin an attempt to recapture one of the first cities that were liberated by the local Army in the first part of the invasion ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin two years ago.

“A maneuver is being carried out in some places to withdraw our units to more advantageous positions, in some places to force (the Russians) to abandon their positions (…) Therefore, the key announcement in all this is that the supply to Avdiivka and evacuations from there are difficult,” said Ukrainian military spokesman Dmytro Lykhoviy.

The Third Assault Brigade, one of Ukraine's most prominent combat units, confirmed that It had been rushed to Avdiivka to reinforce kyiv's troops.

After arriving at the place, that combat force assured that it found “hell” and a “threatening and unstable” situation, but that it carried out an incursion against the Russian forces in parts of the city, in which it caused “many low”.

“The situation at the time the brigade arrived was extremely critical (…) The enemy continues the active rotation of its troops (around Avdiivka) and is deploying new forces and equipment in the city,” the brigade said via Telegram.

The fighting in Avdiivka is much fiercer than the battle for Bakhmut and kyiv's forces are outnumbered and outgunned, said the unit's deputy commander, Maksym Zhorin.

For months, the military of the nation invaded by Moscow has been holding out while waiting for weapons aid from the West.

In the midst of this scenario, the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg acknowledged this Thursday that the delay in assistance is having consequences.

“We already see the impact of the fact that the United States has not been able to make a decision, but I hope that the United States does, that Congress and the House of Representatives agree to continued support for Ukraine,” declared the Norwegian politician to his arrival at the meeting of Alliance Defense Ministers held in Brussels, in reference to the aid package blocked by Republicans who condition its approval on border security policies.

Although the project was recently endorsed by the Senate, it still needs to be voted on and approved in the House of Representatives, with a conservative majority.

Avdiivka, Russian objective to complete control of Donetsk

Ukraine is revamping its defenses in an effort to maintain control of the small town, even as its supply lines come under increasing threat. The tired troops, some facing combat for almost two years and deployed along an extensive 1,000 kilometer front, face a critical shortage of artillery ammunition.

Avdiivka has been the subject of deadly clashes since the 2014 Donbass war, but in recent months Russian troops have attempted to recapture it, as it was one of the first towns liberated by the Ukrainian Army in the first phase of the current invasion.

The devastated city, in the province of Donetsk, belonging to the greater Donbass region, is key to Moscow's stated goal of fully controlling Donetskwhich was annexed in disputed referendums in September 2022, along with the neighboring province of Lugansk, as well as Kherson and Zaporizhia, in the south.

At least six dead after Ukrainian attack in the Russian city of Belgorod

A missile attack on the Russian city of Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine, left at least six people dead, including a child, and injured 17 others, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said Thursday.

This is the most recent cross-border action, awarded by Moscow to kyiv. A city that in recent months has been the subject of several attacks.

A shopping center and a school stadium were among the places attacked, according to Roman Starovoit, governor of the nearby Kursk region. “There are many victims: dead and injured,” said the official.

For its part, The Russian Foreign Ministry described what happened as a “heinous crime” committed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The ministry added that air defense systems destroyed 14 missiles over the region that, it insisted, were fired by Kiev forces, which used an RM-70 Vampire multiple launch rocket system.

The city of Belgorod, 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of the Ukrainian border, has been a regular target of Ukrainian fire, attacks that have undermined President Putin's attempts to assure Russians that life in the country is peaceful. largely normally.

With Reuters, AP and EFE