New Commander of Ukrainian Logistics Forces, downing of three Su-34s, strike on Russians in Olenivka: highlights

New commander of the Armed Forces Logistics Forces

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Oleh Huliak from the post of Commander of the Logistics Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Volodymyr Karpenko is now in charge of the Logistics Forces.

As of 2021, he served as the Logistics Commander of the Ground Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He has the rank of brigadier general. In 2022, he was awarded the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky II and III degrees.

Destruction of three Su-34s

The Ukrainian military has destroyed three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers. This was done in the eastern, Avdiivka and Mariupol sectors. The first one was shot down on the night of February 29, and two more were hit at around 9 a.m.

In total, the Ukrainian Air Force destroyed 13 Russian army aircraft in February.

Strike on the Russians in Olenivka

The Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a missile strike on a cluster of Russian troops in Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast.

According to preliminary data, enemy losses as a result of the strike: 19 dead soldiers, including the deputy commander of a Russian military unit, and 12 wounded, including the commander of this unit.

Zelensky shares the timeline for talks on EU accession

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the first negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union are scheduled to begin in the spring.

According to him, 2024 will be "the time of real negotiations" on joining the EU. Zelenskyy also emphasized that this year will be "a time of maximum pragmatism" in relations with neighbors.

Strike on an FSB vessel in the Sea of Azov

Ukrainian intelligence officers intercepted a message from the crew of a Russian FSB coast guard boat about a fire on a vessel. It happened in the waters of the Azov Sea.

"Fire, another grinder, no communication [...] The number of casulaties has increased to five. An emergency team is urgently needed," the recordings say.

The situation at the front

The situation is particularly tense in the Avdiivka and Zaporizhzhya sectors, where Russian assault units are trying to break through the Ukrainian defense and capture five settlements. Fierce fighting also continues in the areas of Verbove and Robotyne.

In addition, Russian troops continue to advance in the areas of Ivanivske and Bohdanivka in the Bakhmut sector and are putting pressure in the area of Synkivka in the Kupyansk sector.

At the same time, Ukrainian defenders drove the Russian troops out of the outskirts of Orlivka.

Death of a man in the shopping center

In the town of Buchach, Ternopil Oblasy, a man died after being hospitalized directly from the local military commissariat. According to preliminary medical reports, he was diagnosed with an epileptic seizure. The police denied that he died violently.

Later, a local newspaper wrote that people were gathering near the town council and demanded that the military commissariat and town officials come out to them. At the same time, the Ternopil regional police said that no rally had taken place. They said that people did not make demands and came "just to talk".

Other important news

• "Transport visa-free regime" with Turkey will be in effect at least until the end of the war.
• Another group of children was brought back from the occupied territories. The youngest boy is 4 years old.
• Vladimir Putin has confirmed the use of Zircon hypersonic missiles against Ukraine.
• The European Parliament is concerned about the restrictions on foreign travel for Ukrainian MPs.
• Donald Tusk's meeting with the leaders of the farmers' protests lasted more than three hours.