02/18/2024
Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 02:43 Biden warns members of Congress not to act “absurdly” and “unethically” +++
In a conversation with his Ukrainian colleague Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Joe Biden expressed optimism about further billions in military aid for his country. He told Zelenskyj in a telephone conversation that he was “confident that we will get the money,” Biden told journalists after attending church in the US state of Delaware. Biden says it would be “absurd” and “unethical” for representatives and senators not to pass funding for the Ukrainian military. “I will fight to ensure they get the ammunition they need.” With regard to the withdrawal of the Ukrainian army from the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, the White House explains that the Ukrainian soldiers had to “ration” their ammunition before the withdrawal because their supplies were running out “as a result of Congress’s inaction.” This resulted in “Russia’s first significant gains in months.”
+++ 01:54 Several dead after Russian missile attacks +++
At least two people have been killed in a Russian rocket attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk. The rescue workers had recovered the bodies of a man and a woman from the rubble, said regional governor Vadim Filaschkin on Saturday. The rescue workers were looking for another person under the rubble. Several houses were hit in the attack. Filaschkin had previously spoken of a family of four who were probably under the rubble. Russian shells also hit a school in the nearby town of Slovyansk. Rescue teams are searching for at least one person who is said to be trapped under the pile of rubble. Further north, in the city of Kupyansk, one person was killed when a two-story house was hit by Russian shells, according to the governor of the Kharkiv region.
+++ 00:47 Zelenskyj believes in a “smart decision” in the US Congress +++
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, in his own words, continues to believe in a “wise decision” by the US Congress for new billions in military aid for his country. After a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden, Zelensky wrote on X: “I am grateful to have President Biden’s unconditional support.” Zelensky added: “I also believe that the US Congress will make a wise decision.” The White House says Biden called Zelensky “to underscore the United States’ commitment to continuing to support Ukraine.”
+++ 23:54 After Navalny’s death: Litvinenko’s widow wants to see action +++
After the death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, the widow of the murdered Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko is calling on the international community to take consistent action against the Russian leadership. US President Joe Biden has said in the past that there would be devastating consequences for Russian leader Vladimir Putin if Navalny died, says Marina Litvinenko. “I want to see what it means, not just words,” she emphasizes: “This is very important. Go from words to actions.” Above all, this means support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. “The only way to help the Russian opposition in the fight against Putin’s regime is to support Ukraine,” emphasizes the wife of the ex-spy who was killed in 2006 by poisoning with radioactive polonium. If Ukraine wins against Russia, “it could enable people within Russia to advocate for change.”
+++ 22:59 Ukraine: Family probably trapped under rubble +++
Ukraine reports new Russian attacks on cities in the east of the country. Rockets hit Kramatorsk, the deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine wrote in the evening. A family of four is believed to be under the rubble of a house. Shortly afterwards, the city announced that a woman’s body had been recovered from the rubble. A person is also said to have been buried in Slovyansk after a grenade hit a school there. Rescue workers are on site.
+++ 22:10 Putin congratulates soldiers on the capture of Avdiivka +++
Russian President Putin congratulates his army on the capture of the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka. “The president congratulated our soldiers and fighters on such an important victory and such success,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to the Interfax agency. According to the Ukrainian military, most of its soldiers have now withdrawn from the completely destroyed city in the Donetsk region. Both sides report that the other has lost around 1,500 soldiers in the last 24 hours. However, this cannot be verified independently.
+++ 21:53 Shoigu announces “complete control” over Avdiivka +++
According to Russian information, Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine, which has been fought over for months, is under the “complete control” of the Russian army. Defense Minister Shoigu informed Kremlin chief Putin about this, writes the state news agency Tass. Last night, the Ukrainian army announced its withdrawal from Avdiivka to avoid encirclement. However, several of their soldiers were taken prisoner by Russia. The Russian army had recently increased its offensive on the city and had advanced from several sides. The Ukrainian troops also suffered from a massive shortage of ammunition.
+++ 21:29 Ukraine reports two deaths and injuries +++
A 49-year-old was killed when the city of Kherson came under Russian fire, Kherson’s military administration said. Two other people were injured. Another civilian death and one injured person are reported in the northern Sumy region after the Russian army shelled the village of Khotin with mortar shells.
+++ 21:01 Zelenskyj leaves German airspace +++
Ukrainian President Zelensky’s visit to the Munich Security Conference has ended. The Luftwaffe said he had just left German airspace.
You can read all previous developments here.