Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from Avdiivka, Donetsk region, near which fierce and bloody fighting continues. Russian troops attacked Kherson, Kupyansk, Zaporozhye and other settlements.
The Ramstein Drone Coalition has officially launched. The Czech Republic announced that it had found 800 thousand shells for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but needed funding for delivery to Ukraine. At the same time, the Ukrainian side discussed with Denmark the dates for signing a security agreement.
What happened in Ukraine and the world in 24 hours on February 17, 2024 – read further in the material on the ICTV Facts website.
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- The situation in Avdeevka
- Zelensky in Munich
- Destruction of three Russian aircraft
- Attack on Kherson
- Air strikes on Kupyansk
- Missile attack on Zaporozhye
- Start of the drone coalition
- Shells from the Czech Republic
- Preparation for a security agreement with Denmark
- Confiscated funds from Russia
The situation in Avdiivka
During the assault on Russian troops in Avdiivka, Ukrainian forces had to be withdrawn to preserve the personnel of the Defense Forces, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said.
At the same time, the Center for National Resistance stated that Russia had to attract elite units of the Main Intelligence Directorate for “meat” assault on Avdeevka due to huge infantry losses.
Zelensky in Munich
President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky took part in the Munich Security Conference.
According to him, the decision to withdraw Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces held back Russian attacks for several months, is fair, because it will save the lives of Ukrainians until the necessary weapons arrive.
Photo: Office of the President
At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that Ukraine urgently needs artillery and long-range weapons, and also counts on the help of partners. Zelensky emphasized that it is important to gain an advantage over the enemy in the sky.
According to the head of state, supplies of air defense systems will give Ukraine the opportunity to unblock the skies and help move forward on the battlefield. Zelensky noted that at the same time, Ukraine is developing the production of drones.
Destruction of three Russian aircraft
In the eastern direction, Ukrainian forces destroyed three Russian aircraft, the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported. Among them — two Su-34 bombers and one Su-35 fighter.
Attack on Kherson
Russian troops massively attacked Kherson from the left bank of the Dnieper, as a result of which a person was killed and four more were wounded, reported to the regional military administration.
According to the OVA, the 39-year-old victim was on the roof of a residential building at the time of the enemy attack. Rescuers have already removed his body from there.
Four more wounded were on the street during the shelling. Among them — a woman and three men who are in a state of moderate severity.
Air strikes on Kupyansk
The overnight Russian airstrikes on Kupyansk on February 17 left at least six casualties.
Due to the attack, a two-story house with two entrances and a private house was destroyed, and in the neighboring — windows, glass, roofs were broken. There may still be people under the rubble.
Photo: Kharkov Regional Prosecutor's Office
Missile attack on Zaporozhye
Russian troops intensified attacks in the Zaporozhye region. In particular, as a result of a missile attack on Zaporozhye on the morning of February 17, an infrastructure facility was damaged, which led to interruptions in electricity and heating networks.
OVA reported that about 4 thousand subscribers were left without heat. However, now specialists have already resumed operation of the boiler room, and all subscribers — connected to heating. According to OVA, this time there were no casualties.
Start of the drone coalition
As part of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine, a coalition of drones has officially launched, the Ministry of Defense noted. Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Estonia, the Netherlands, Latvia and Great Britain have already joined it.
Shells from the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has found 800 thousand shells for Ukraine, but needs additional funding, President Petr Pavel said during the Munich Security Conference on February 17.
According to him, half a million 155-mm caliber shells and 300 thousand 122-mm caliber shells were found in the Czech Republic, which will be transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces if they receive funds for which they will turn to partners in the USA, Germany and Sweden .
Confiscated funds from Russia
The United States agreed to transfer $500 thousand of funds confiscated from Russia to Estonia in order to redirect them to assist Ukraine.
Photo: Unsplash
According to the US Department of Justice, the funds were confiscated after the exposure of an illegal procurement network that was trying to import into Russia a US-made high-precision machine tool used in defense and nuclear proliferation.
Preparation for a security agreement with Denmark
Ukraine and Denmark coordinated the final steps in preparing a security agreement based on the G7 Vilnius Declaration and discussed possible dates for signing the document. This was discussed at a meeting between President Vladimir Zelensky and the head of the Danish government, Mette Frederiksen.
The parties paid special attention to defense support for Ukraine, bilateral and cooperation with other countries to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the necessary weapons, and the involvement of Denmark in the joint production of drones.
