Ukrainian forces preparing military plans near Avdiivka (French)

The Ukrainian army announced today, Friday, the reinforcement of its forces in the city of Avdiivka, east of the country, where fierce battles are taking place with Russian forces that have made progress in recent days. Russia also confirmed that its air defense systems intercepted 5 Ukrainian drones over the Belgorod and Black Sea regions, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is heading to Berlin. And Paris to mobilize military aid.

Ukrainian forces are establishing new defensive positions around Avdiivka, at a time when the army has indicated the possibility of withdrawal in the face of successive waves of Russian attacks, in order to protect the soldiers.

The general responsible for the Ukrainian forces in the east of the country, Oleksandr Tarnavsky, said that the army had prepared new sites, taking into account all possibilities, and stressed that Kiev values ​​protecting its territory, but its priority is to preserve the life of every Ukrainian soldier, as he put it.

Russian forces have been launching an attack since October on the city located in the Donbas basin, as the Ukrainian army faces increasing difficulties in the city, which is besieged from 3 sides, and whose fall - if it occurs - will constitute an important victory for Russia.

Intercepting Ukrainian drones

For its part, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 5 Ukrainian drones over the territory of the Belgorod and Black Sea regions.

She explained that air defense systems destroyed a drone over Belgorod and 4 drones over the Black Sea.

There were no reports of human or material losses.

Zelensky mobilizes aid

In a related development, the Ukrainian president went to Berlin and then to Paris to sign bilateral security agreements and call for increasing military support for his country in the face of the Russian attack.

Zelensky met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival in Paris.

Zelensky (left) met with Schulz in Berlin to sign a security agreement (French)

For its part, the Elysee stated that the bilateral partnership agreement between Paris and Kiev relates to long-term military support to Ukraine and economic support, as well as providing assistance in the civil field, in order to enhance Ukraine’s ability to “resist,” as he put it.

This mini-diplomatic tour will also lead Zelensky to the 60th Munich Security Conference, an annual meeting of the geopolitical elite in southern Germany.

During the last NATO summit in Vilnius last July, the alliance’s member states disappointed Kiev’s expectations due to not setting a timetable for Ukraine’s accession to the alliance, but the G7 countries committed to providing it with “long-term” military support through... Security agreements.

The United Kingdom was the first to conclude such an agreement during Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's visit to Kiev on January 12.

The Russian war on Ukraine is approaching the completion of its second year. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine, and to end it, it stipulates that Kiev abandons plans to join military entities, which the latter considers an interference in its sovereignty.

Source: Agencies