Defense of Avdiivka, Navalny's death, and security agreements with Germany and France: highlights of February 16
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Germany and France to sign security agreements. A defensive operation continues in Avdiivka, with the Defense Forces withdrawing from the Zenit position to save lives. Russia announced the death of Alexei Navalny, who was called a Russian oppositionist. We have collected the main news for February 16.
Zelenskyy's visits and security agreements
On the morning of February 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Germany for a visit where he met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. They signed an agreement on security cooperation between the two countries.
In addition, Scholz announced a new €1.1 billion military aid package for Ukraine.
Later, Zelenskyy arrived in France to meet with his counterpart Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders also signed a security agreement. France will also allocate €3 billion for Ukraine's military needs.
Defense of Avdiivka
The command has decided to withdraw the Defense Forces from the Zenit position on the southeastern outskirts of Avdiivka, Donetsk region. This was done to preserve personnel and improve the operational situation. Scheduled reinforcement of soldiers is underway in the area of the city, logistics are working, and there are no blocked Ukrainian units there.
Russian troops are continuously storming the coke plant, where the soldiers of the 3rd separate assault brigade are defending. They are inflicting heavy losses on the occupiers. The 3rd Separate Assault Brigade said that the current ratio of forces in the Avdiivka area is one to seven.
In addition, the brigade reported the elimination of two Russian brigades. The enemy lost about 4,200 soldiers killed and wounded.
Navalny's death
On February 16, the Russian colony announced the death of prisoner Alexei Navalny. They claim that Navalny felt unwell after a walk and fainted almost immediately. The doctors allegedly took all the necessary resuscitation measures, but that did not give positive results, so they pronounced him dead.
Navalny's representatives have not yet confirmed his death.
Several world leaders reacted to the news. Many of them blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the wake of the news, U.S. President Joe Biden called for the approval of aid to Ukraine.
The House of Representatives adjourned without passing a bill for Ukraine
The U.S. House of Representatives adjourned until February 28 without passing a bill to provide financial assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The White House criticized this.
Meanwhile, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives from the Republican and Democratic parties created an alternative bill to provide financial assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan for $66.3 billion.
Ukraine returns fallen soldiers
Another repatriation event took place, as a result of which the bodies of 58 fallen soldiers were returned to the government-controlled territory of Ukraine.
Forensic experts are to identify the bodies. After identification, the bodies of the Ukrainian defenders will be handed over to their families for a decent burial.
Other important news
- The Ministry of Defense is launching a grouping of mine countermeasures forces in the Black Sea.
- Ukraine will launch container caravans along the Danube. This will be an alternative to the blocked border.
- Hungary has joined the Coalition for the Demining of Ukraine.
- The government appoints a new head of the Khmelnytsky Regional Military Administration.