Ukrainian soldiers prepare artillery shells in the direction of Avdiivka on February 18, 2024 (Anatolia)
The Russian newspaper Gazeta published a report by writer Anna Gromova on the expected course of events after Russian forces seized the city of Avdiivka on February 17.
Gromova quoted the Supreme Commander of the Ukrainian Forces, Oleksandr Sirsky, as saying on social media: “In order to avoid encirclement and preserve the life and health of the army, I decided to withdraw our units from the city and go to a defense position on more important lines.”
The Russians took steady steps
Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, stated that Russia continues to advance in the Avdiivka area, saying: “Our units are developing an attack and preventing the enemy from gaining a foothold on new lines.” For its part, the Russian Ministry of Defense published footage of the attacks on the retreating Ukrainians, confirming that they They retreat along the roads targeted by the Russian army.
The Gazeta report indicated that Ukrainian opposition activist Igor Lutsenko commented on the situation, saying, “Russia has taken a steady pace of attack. Before Madievka, it was Marinka, Bakhmut, and Northern Lysychansk, and now it is the turn of Korakhovo, Uglidar, Stepnoe, and Kubyansk.” Lutsenko did not rule out that Kharkiv and Zaporozhye would be next. “There is no limit to where the Russians will stop, after taking such a stable pace.”
Biden warns Congress not to help Ukraine
The Russian newspaper also referred to US President Joe Biden's statements in which he said that Ukraine may lose new cities if Congress does not agree to provide assistance to Kiev, and that there is a lot at stake, and "I will fight to provide them with the ammunition they need."
At the conclusion of the report, Gromova pointed out that Elon Musk tweeted on his Twitter account regarding the news that Ukraine lost Avdiivka to Russia, saying, “The longer the conflict lasts, the better for Russia.”
Source: Gazeta