Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted on Monday February 19 that the Ukrainian army was facing an "extremely difficult" situation facing Russian forces, who are taking advantage, according to him, of Western delays in providing their military aid.
“The situation is extremely difficult at several points on the front line, where Russian troops have concentrated as many reserves as possible. They are taking advantage of the delay in aid to Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelensky said in his daily message. , adding that his country lacked artillery and needed front-line anti-aircraft defense as much as longer-range weapons.
Also read: France announces “up to 3 billion euros” in additional military aid to Ukraine
Russian forces are on the offensive in eastern and southern Ukraine and have captured the disputed town of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, achieving their first major gain since the capture of Bakhmut in May 2023.
“Heavy shooting” in the Zaporizhia region
On Monday, the Ukrainian army said it was facing "heavy fire" from Russian forces on the offensive in the Zaporizhia region in the south of the country.
Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Tarnavsky said Moscow's troops were launching multiple attacks, including near the village of Robotyne, one of the few places where Ukraine had managed to regain ground during the Ukrainian counter-offensive. last summer.
Like many towns in eastern Ukraine, Robotyne was completely razed after months of artillery exchanges.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the capture of Avdiivka as an "important victory" for his troops, a few days before the second anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion on February 24.
With AFP
The France 24 summary of the week
invites you to look back at the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 application