Downing of Russian planes, death of pilot Kuzminov in Spain, and Zelenskyy's visit to Kupiansk: February 19 highlights
Ukrainian troops shot down two Russian planes in the east. The last Ukrainian battalion withdrew from the Avdiivka coke plant. Russian pilot Maksim Kuzminov, who had flown a Mi—8 helicopter to Ukraine, is found dead in Spain. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the defenders in Kupyansk. We have collected the main news for February 19.
Destruction of Russian aircraft
The Ukrainian Air Force destroyed two more Russian aircraft in the east — a Su-34 fighter bomber and a Su-35S fighter jet.
According to Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, these aircraft were attacking Ukrainian troops with guided bombs.
Exit from Avdiivka Coke Plant
Soldiers of the 25th separate assault battalion of the 47th separate mechanized brigade reported that after four months of defense, they were the last to leave the Avdiivka coke plant. They say they managed to get out of the coke plant without losses.
At the same time, Maksym Zhorin, deputy commander of the 3rd Brigade, said that during the fighting for Avdiivka, some units of the brigade were surrounded. However, the soldiers later managed to get out of it.
Zelenskyy in Kupiansk
During a trip to the Kharkiv region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the battalion command post of the 14th separate mechanized brigade named after Prince Roman the Great, which is performing combat missions to defend Kupiansk.
Zelensky spoke with the military and awarded defenders who distinguished themselves while protecting Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Death of pilot Kuzminov, who overtook Mi-8
Russian pilot Maksim Kuzminov, who overtook a Mi-8 helicopter to Ukraine during the Ukrainian intelligence operation "Synytsia", was found dead in Spain.
This was reported to hromadske by Andrii Yusov, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.
Conference in Japan
The Japanese-Ukrainian Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine was held in Tokyo. As a result of the Conference and the visit of the Ukrainian delegation to Japan, 56 agreements were signed.
By the end of this month, the Japanese government will provide a $4.7 billion grant to Ukraine. Japan will also allocate 1.25 billion euros to support its investors in Ukraine.
In total, the country has envisioned $12.1 billion in financial assistance, including the aid it has already announced and provided.
Shooting of Ukrainian soldiers in Avdiivka
The 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade commented for the first time on why it was forced to leave six of its soldiers in the Zenit fortification in Avdiivka, who were shot by Russians.
The brigade said that the withdrawal from Avdiivka took place in the face of continuous bombardment by enemy aircraft and artillery shelling.
Due to the complete encirclement of the Zenit stronghold, the 110th Brigade contacted the Coordination Center and organizations that were negotiating with the Russian side on the exchange of prisoners. The occupiers promised to evacuate the severely wounded and then exchange them.
The brigade learned about the shooting of prisoners from Russian resources.
Russian offensive in the Zaporizhzhia sector
On the night of February 19, Russian occupation forces attempted to launch an offensive in the Zaporizhzhia sector, but the Armed Forces repelled the assault.
Operational Command "West" notes that the futile attempt to attack cost the Russians destroyed equipment and killed personnel.
Other important news of the day:
- Two deputies of Zaporizhzhia regional council and an aide are caught on bribery charges.
- The number of Ukrainians who do not believe in the victory over Russia has increased fivefold, according to a poll.
- Ecuador decides not to transfer military equipment to Ukraine after Russia imposes sanctions on banana producers.
- Ukraine has turned to SpaceX to prevent Russians from using Starlink terminals.
- Polish protesters blocked a passenger train from Ukraine.