Ukrainian Armed Forces withdrawal from Lastochkine and law on demobilization of conscripts: highlights for February 26

Ukrainian Armed Forces withdraw from Lastochkine

Units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have withdrawn from the village of Lastochkine near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region. The day before, it was reported that Ukrainian units had taken up positions on the western outskirts of the village.

Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesperson for the Tavria Operational and Strategic Group of Troops, explained that the Defense Forces withdrew to organize defense near the villages of Orlivka, Tonenke, and Berdychi and to prevent further Russian advance in the western direction.

Later, Lykhovii reported that Russian troops continued to attempt offensive actions in the direction of Orlivka, Donetsk region. The occupiers are attacking from three directions, but are unsuccessful.

Tavria commander Oleksandr Tarnavskyi said that Ukrainian troops in the Avdiivka sector are reinforcing the defense line and organizing the defense of settlements west of Avdiivka.

Cashback for buying Ukrainian goods

The government is developing a state cashback program called Buy Ukrainian, which will allow Ukrainian citizens to receive compensation for part of the payment for goods and services produced in Ukraine.

In addition, the government plans to introduce five instruments to help Ukrainian producers soon. In particular, the government will provide priority access to public procurement for domestic producers and expand the compensation program to include the purchase of machinery.

Demobilization of conscripts

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law amending the terms of military service. The law states that conscripts whose term of service expired during martial law and was extended beyond the established time limits are exceptionally discharged from military service to the reserve within the time limits specified by a presidential decree.

Defeat of the Russians near Robotyne

Four Ukrainian soldiers from the Spartan Brigade of the Offensive Guard stopped an assault column of Russian invaders near Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

According to him, the first Russian APC exploded on a prepared mine, and the second was hit by a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher.

The third APC managed to land infantry. A small arms battle ensued. Despite being wounded, the Ukrainian soldiers did not retreat and emerged victorious from the battle, after which they received the necessary medical care.

UOC-KP award to an openly gay man

Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate has awarded military personnel from the 72nd separate mechanized brigade named after the Black Cossacks, including Viktor Pylypenko, who is openly gay and an activist.

Pylypenko boasted about the award, adding that he was glad that “Patriarch Filaret took such a step and thanked the openly gay man and human rights activist for his protection”.

The UOC-KP revoked the award. They say that Filaret “did not know about the sinful inclinations” of the military. The patriarch himself considers non-heterosexual orientation to be a “sodomite sin” and called the movement to legalize same-sex marriage “propaganda”.

Other important news of the day

• Russia plans to produce 2.7 million shells this year, Ukrainian intelligence reports.
• Former MP Pashynskyi is sent to a pre-trial detention center with the possibility of bail of UAH 272 million.
• On the night of December 26, Russia dropped bombs on the Sumy region, killing a couple in their home. Later, another civilian was killed by Russian shelling in the region.
• Denmark follows Sweden in closing the investigation into the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage.
• Farmers blocked the European quarter in Brussels with tractors. In particular, they complain about imports from Ukraine.
• Kaitarma dance and Zozulia porridge: new items added to the list of Ukraine's intangible cultural heritage.