Rome, February 19, 2024 – The advance of the Russian troops in Ucarina. The city of Avdiivka it fell or was “liberated” by Putin’s army, which claims to have gained “8.6 kilometers” of ground. Moscow said it had taken “complete control” of the countryEurope's largest chemical and coke production plant (grey coal)., although damaged and no longer operational since August 17, 2014, following fighting between separatists and the Ukrainian army. “Russian flags were hoisted at the plant’s administrative buildings,” the Russian Defense Ministry said. Today Ukrainian President Zelensky visited the eastern front of the conflict in Kupiansk to convey his support to the soldiers.
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Ukrainian soldiers are trying to set up barricades not far from Avdiivka
The advance of Putin's troops is worrying Europe and the West. According to Politico, the US and its allies are trying to prevent the collapse of Kiev's armed forces as the Ukrainian army loses ground and runs out of ammunition. The outbreak this morning Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis. In Ukraine “we cannot do things by halves or falter,” he explains on the sidelines of the EU Council of Foreign Ministers in Brussels. “In the Nordic and Baltic countries we know that if Kiev falls, it is very clear that we will be next,” he added. And then there is NATO's warning, which almost sounds like a mea culpa. The West was “overly optimistic” about the prospects of the Ukrainian armed forces in 2023 before Kiev's failed counteroffensive last June, said the chairman of the alliance's military committee, Admiral Rob Bauer.
Navalny's mother cannot see her son's body
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12:43 p.m
Zelenskyy on the Eastern Front in Kupyansk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reached the Eastern Front in Kupiansk, where the command post of the 14th Mechanized Brigade Battalion is located. This was announced on the website of the Ukrainian presidency. Zelenki's visit to the front is the first since the Russian army managed to capture Avdiivka two days ago. The head of state met with the military and presented medals to the Ukrainian defenders. “I am happy to be here today to see you, congratulate you and express my gratitude on behalf of all Ukrainians, all of Ukraine,” he said.
12:11 p.m
Moscow: “Kiev used chemical grenades made in the USA”
The Ukrainian Armed Forces used US-made chemical shells against the Russian army in several operations in 2023, the head of the radiological, chemical and biological defense troops of the Ukrainian Armed Forces denounced on Monday. Russia, Lieutenant General Igor Kirilov. “On December 28, 2023, a helicopter-type unmanned aerial vehicle fired American-made gas grenades filled with CS substance at the positions of Russian troops on the Krasnolimansk operational line. This substance has an irritating effect on the eyes and upper respiratory tract and in high concentrations can cause skin burns, respiratory paralysis and cardiac arrest,” Kirilov said at a press conference
11:13 a.m
Kiev: “Japan is a leader in subsidies”
As of February 2022, Japan has already provided a total of $4.6 billion in support to Ukraine through World Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) projects. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Finance in Kiev, in which the statement emphasized that “in view of large-scale Russian aggression, the …” Japan is one of the leading countries in supporting Ukraine in all possible areas. Direct budget support is no exception. Japan has already provided more than $4.6 billion in assistance, including approximately $372 million in grants that are critical to Ukraine’s economic and financial stability.”
10:35 a.m
New air alert across Ukraine
An air alert has been declared throughout Ukraine and explosions have already been reported in Poltava and Kropyvnytskyi, in the center of the country: the air force announced this via Telegram as Rbc-Ukraine. There were several explosions in Makiivka, a city in Donetsk Oblast controlled by pro-Russian separatists. This was announced by a Donbass news portal on its Telegram channel. “Judging by the thick black smoke, there was an attack on the oil depot,” he added. The information has not been confirmed by official sources.
10:13
Ukraine: We are adapting the infrastructure for F-16
Ukraine is already adapting its infrastructure for American F-16 fighter jets: Air Force spokesman Yuri Ignat told United News channel, Ukrinform reported. “We are already in the process of adapting the infrastructure for this type of aircraft. The adaptation will allow them to perform tasks from our runways and remain at our airports,” explained Ignat. Ukraine should be the first to receive it F-16 fighter jets in June, said two European officials quoted by the US magazine Foreign Policy yesterday.
09:47
Hungary against the EU over sanctions against Russia
Hungary remains silent about Navalny's death, but criticizes the EU's move to introduce a new package of sanctions against Russia. “The European Union, suffering from a war psychosis, only wants to obey Washington, the liberal media and NGOs by launching another package of sanctions against Russia,” wrote Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who is at the Foreign Affairs Council was present, on Facebook Brussels. A measure that, in the context of the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine, “is certainly completely pointless and only serves as a cosmetic solution.” Budapest has so far blocked the adoption of the thirteenth EU sanctions package.
09:44
Finland: “No nuclear weapons on our territory”
Finland has no plans to install nuclear weapons on its territory, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said in an interview with the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita. “There is no need as NATO itself ensures nuclear deterrence,” he said, adding that nuclear weapons stationed in other member states are enough to ensure the security of the Atlantic Alliance. At the same time, Orpo explained that Finland is carefully preparing to fulfill its obligations as a new NATO member and participate in the containment of conventional weapons. Previously, the Polish authorities expressed the desire to install American nuclear weapons on the territory of the country as part of the Nuclear Sharing program.
09:09
Kiev launches investigation into suspected executions of Russians in Avdiivka
The Security Service of Ukraine has opened a preliminary investigation into alleged Russian executions of unarmed Ukrainian prisoners of war in Avdiivka and Vesele. This was reported by the prosecutor's office, citing Ukrinform. “Under the procedural control of the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office, a preliminary investigation has been initiated into violating the laws and customs of war with premeditated murder,” the prosecutor's office said on Telegram. According to Ukrinform, the investigation comes after reports appeared on Telegram, including a message about the execution of six prisoners of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in one of the locations in Avdiivka and a video about the murder of two more soldiers near the village of Vesele in Bakhmut district.
09:03
Kiev: “Blockade of Polish farmers endangers our security”
Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakow described the blockade of the border with Poland by Polish farmers as a “threat to the security” of Ukraine. “The blockade of the border represents a direct threat to the security of a country that is defending itself. Such actions have a negative impact on our confrontation with the common enemy Russia,” Koubrakov denounced on Facebook.