Western Response to Significant Loss in Ukraine War

In a few days the war in Ukraine will mark two years, and the situation on the front line has once again reached a critical turning point. When Ukraine lost Avdivka a strategically important city in the east to Russia This would open the way for Russia to advance into Ukraine’s internal territory. After the Russian attack stopped him for several months.

The importance of Avdivka goes beyond being the main Ukrainian stronghold in the east. This is because the city is home to a coke factory. which is considered the main industry of Ukraine Having lost this city The leader of Ukraine has urgently asked Western countries to send more weapons.

Last night (February 18), Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine published in a press release admitting that Ukraine has lost Avdivka to Russia.

United States warns that Ukraine could lose Avdivka in Donetsk to Russia

The President of Ukraine fired the head of the army Point out to adapt to the situation.

But he spoke to US President Joe Biden by phone to update him on the situation and stress the urgent need for additional military assistance.

Afterwards, the White House issued a statement saying: US President Joe Biden called President Zelensky on Saturday. To inquire about the fighting situation in Ukraine

During the discussion The leader of the United States also promises the Ukrainian leader that He will facilitate the passage of legislation to provide military assistance. which is urgently stuck in Congress At the same time, the leader of the United States also said that the failure of Congress to pass a budget for Ukraine gave Russia its first victory in months.

Historically, the United States has been the main military supporter of Ukraine. Since the war, the United States has sent more than $75 billion worth of military equipment to Ukraine.

However, these military aids have failed. After drafting the budget law was blocked by Republican members on the grounds that the draft does not put enough emphasis on the security of the US borders itself.

After that, a new draft was proposed that included only military aid to US allies, and the draft is currently awaiting consideration by the House of Representatives. After being approved by the Senate last week, however, many parties assessed that the draft could be considered later this month. Having finished the break of two weeks from the meeting

Delayed aid from the United States It is one of the factors that weakened the Ukrainian forces in the front physically and psychologically. This is an area that has been occupied by Russia for almost two years of hostilities. These are mainly areas in 4 regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia.

The area along the Eastern Front from north to south is more than 1,000 kilometers long and accounts for 18 percent of Ukraine’s total area.

Last June Ukraine has launched a counter-offensive campaign to recover these territories. But the recovery of the area was not successful. Because Russia has a strong defense line. The defenses include mines, ditches, and anti-tank dragon’s teeth.

This whole situation As a result, General Valery Zaluchny, the highest military commander of Ukraine at the time, gave an interview to The Economist news agency in November last year, stating that

The war in Ukraine has entered what is known as a Stalemate. No one gained or lost any significant additional space. And the turning point on the battlefield comes when one side has more modern weapons, however, since the beginning of this year, the Ukrainian army is weakening. Due to shortage of weapons and ammunition

Opening channels for Russia to add troops, including tanks, to come in at several points. The most important thing is Avdivka city is for Avdivka in Donetsk region. It is far from Donetsk. which is the capital of the Donetsk region only about 15 kilometers away. The city has an area of ​​only 31 square kilometers.

Although there is not much space But Avdivka has been a strategically important city for the Ukrainian army since the start of the war almost two years ago.

Avdivka is a city known as a natural fortress. It is located in the high mountain area or red area shown in this image. Two roads, M-30 and H-20, connect to Donetsk. It lies in the lower plains and is visible from Avdivka.

Moreover, the city of Avdivka has only one road. That can extend all the way to Kharkiv, the second largest city in northeastern Ukraine. That is why Avdivka is known as the gateway to Donetsk. a major Russian stronghold Occupied since the Donbass War in 2014, Ukraine has used the city to undermine Russia’s transport system in Donetsk. to cut off fighting power in the war

Another important aspect of Avdivka is It is home to the largest coke factory in Europe. It is a solid fuel made from bituminous coal. It is pure and produces higher heat energy than ordinary coal at the level used as fuel in steel blast furnaces. Coke is therefore important in the steel smelting industry. It is the main metal used in heavy industry, including the arms industry.

This is one of the reasons why Russia wants to capture Avdivka. Because if we get this city, it will be equal to Russia will have complete control over industry in the Donbass region.

In the past, Ukraine has done its best to protect Avdivka. One of the best fighting units of the army is stationed here. such as the 54th Mechanized Brigade (54th Mechanized Brigade)

After fighting hard for a long time last Saturday General Oleksandr Zursky, the new head of the armed forces of Ukraine. appointed earlier this month Has come out to announce the withdrawal of troops from Avdivka. The reason was to preserve the lives of army personnel.

In addition, Western media reported that Russian media has published a clip of the Ukrainian flag. which was taken down from the tops of buildings in the city of Avdivka and the Russian flag was hung instead.

The Russian government issued a statement on Sunday saying: President Vladimir Putin has praised the occupation of Avdivka, saying: It was an important victory and congratulations to all Russian soldiers.

After that, the Russian Ministry of Defense came out to consolidate the victory. Last night, the spokesman for the Ministry of Defense of Russia, Igor Konashenkov, announced that the seizure of Avdivka had been completed. This gives Russia an additional area of ​​about 32 square kilometers.

This is the biggest loss for Ukraine in six months and could be a dangerous step that sends a warning to Western countries that If we do not rush to send aid to Ukraine Russia may continue its offensive and seizing other areas What areas will Russia target next?

One of them is Sharsif Yar, a city to the north-west of Bakhmut. Last week, Ukrainian military spokesman Ilia Yevlash said that Russia was attacking Ukrainian positions more than 600 times a day.

In addition, Ukraine’s military drone unit has said that Russian troops are now using heavy weapons. located near Donetsk city area

Regarding the movement of Ukrainian troops Now CNN reports that troops, including the 54th Mechanized Brigade, have retreated to new defenses in Kupyansk. The northern section is complete.

Recently, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustam Umerov said that the withdrawal of troops from Avdivka shows that Ukraine needs a modern air attack defense system. to resist long-range Russian attacks Including the need to receive artillery ammunition urgently.

Amid a shortage of ammunition and the United States still unable to approve a new aid budget. Recently, many European countries have started to issue various measures. to provide additional aid to Ukraine In order not to put Ukraine at a further disadvantage in the struggle.

The first was Peter Pavel, President of the Czech Republic. came out to announce that the government has found a source of more than 500,000 155 mm artillery rounds and 300,000 122 mm artillery rounds, which could be sent to Ukraine within a few weeks. If you have enough money to buy President Pavel further said that he will negotiate with the United States, Germany, and Sweden to raise money to acquire these bullets and send them to Ukraine first.

Another is Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark. He made this point while speaking at the Munich Security Conference, saying that Sweden would provide Ukraine with all its artillery and ammunition. Because at the moment Denmark does not have to use these weapons.

At the same time, he emphasized that European nations must work together to protect Ukraine and hope that all nations will help send aid to Ukraine. Because right now Ukraine needs weapons. It is not a beautiful word.

Antonio Tajani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy who discussed on the same platform as the Danish leader also stated that Italy has now approved the eighth military aid budget for Ukraine. He is expected to arrive in Ukraine in the next few days, and the Italian Foreign Minister also emphasized that the government is ready to provide additional assistance to Ukraine after this.

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