Withdrawal from Avdiivka, Zelenskyy in Munich, and expansion of protests at border: highlights for February 17
Commander—in—Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi ordered the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka in Donetsk region. Zelenskyy speaks at the Munich Security Conference and meets with leaders from various countries. Farmers from four countries are heading to the border with Ukraine to join their Polish counterparts' protest. We collected the highlights for February 17.
Withdrawal from Avdiivka
On the night of February 17, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote that he had decided to withdraw units from Avdiivka, Donetsk region, to avoid encirclement and to save the lives and health of the military.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the decision “correct” and would save the lives of the military.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov noted that Ukraine has learned lessons from the battle for Avdiivka and explained what is needed to fight the enemy.
At the same time, some Ukrainian soldiers were taken prisoner by Russia during the withdrawal. Ukraine will appeal to international humanitarian organizations from other countries to ensure that Russia treats its captured defenders humanely.
In the evening, the Third Separate Assault Brigade announced that it had withdrawn to the outskirts of Avdiivka, where it had prepared positions, and leveled the front line. Since the brigade's redeployment to Avdiivka, its fighters have eliminated more than 1,500 occupiers.
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View in Telegram.At the same time, the brigade noted that the Russians were not slowing down their offensive.
Zelenskyy in Munich
The Munich Security Conference kicked off in Germany on February 16. This is an event where politicians, military, business representatives, non-governmental organizations, and experts discuss topical security issues outside of diplomatic and protocol requirements.
This year's conference is attended by about 50 leaders and 100 ministers.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke on the second day of the conference. He urged not to “ask Ukraine when the war will end” but to ask ourselves why Russian President Vladimir Putin is still able to continue it.
Zelenskyy also emphasized that Ukraine's main goal is to become a NATO member.
“In any case, we expect to strengthen our relations, to strengthen our weapons. Probably, for us today, arms packages, and air defense packages, I will say frankly, are the most important. Especially from those states that are hesitant to invite us to NATO,” the President of Ukraine said.
In addition, during the conference, Zelenskyy met with leaders of various countries, including the prime ministers of Denmark and Bangladesh, the prime minister of the Netherlands, and the presidents of the Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, Finland, and Guatemala.
In Munich, Zelenskyy also met with delegations from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
Next security agreements
Denmark and the Netherlands may become the next countries with which Ukraine will sign bilateral security agreements, the Office of the President of Ukraine said.
On February 16, during his foreign visits, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed agreements on security cooperation with Germany and France. The UK was the first country to sign such an agreement.
Protest at the border expands
Farmers from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France are heading to the border with Ukraine to join their Polish counterparts' protest, the Customs Service reports.
Polish farmers plan to block truck traffic at the Yagodyn-Dorohusk border crossing on February 18.
Shelling
At noon, the occupiers fired at the central part of Kherson. A man sustained injuries incompatible with life.
At 12:45, Russian troops began shelling the village of Kindrativka, Sumy region, with mortars. The enemy attack killed a 64-year-old resident and wounded a 15-year-old teenager.
At about 13:30, Russians dropped at least five guided aerial bombs on Kupiansk, Kharkiv region. One person was killed and five wounded.
At about 8 p.m., the occupants fired on Kramatorsk, Donetsk region. Rescuers removed the body of a woman from the rubble. There are probably more people under the rubble.
Other important news of the day:
- The US will transfer about $500,000 of confiscated Russian assets to Estonia for Ukraine.
- The Czech Republic has found hundreds of thousands of shells for Ukraine but is looking for funding for delivery.
- Rheinmetall plans to open an ammunition plant in Ukraine.
- Swimmer Vladislav Bukhov becomes world champion. This is Ukraine's first medal in the distance.
- Ukrainian director Ivan Sautkin's film A Poem for Little People was included in the program of the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival (CPH:DOX).