February 16, 2024
Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 03:29 Lithuania and Iceland coordinate assistance for demining +++
Lithuania and Iceland will lead an alliance to clear mines in Ukraine, in which more than 20 countries want to take part. The Ministry of Defense in Vilnius announced that a declaration of intent was signed in Brussels. Lithuania itself will provide armored personnel carriers and 1.2 million euros for mine clearance. The Baltic EU and NATO country also announced that it would provide further military aid to Ukraine.
+++ 01:56 Ukraine aid: London and Warsaw appeal to US Congress +++
The foreign ministers of Great Britain and Poland are calling on the US Congress to approve $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. They are personally addressing Mike Johnson, the Republican chairman of the US House of Representatives. In their joint request, they emphasize that the approval of aid for Ukraine, which is attacked by Russia, is a question of the credibility of the USA among NATO allies and worldwide. Poland’s Foreign Minister Sikorski speaks of an “epoch-making decision”. His British counterpart Cameron says Russian President Vladimir Putin should not be led to believe that he can wait it out. That’s why the vote in Congress is so crucial, said Cameron.
+++ 00:49 Zelenskyj is coming to Berlin today +++
Ukrainian President Zelensky will come to Berlin today and will meet Chancellor Scholz in the morning. As part of the talks in the Federal Chancellery, “a bilateral agreement on security commitments and long-term support will be signed,” said a government spokesman. Following a press conference, Zelensky will meet Federal President Steinmeier. On Saturday, Zelenskyj will be a guest at the Munich Security Conference, where he plans to give a speech and hold talks with US Vice President Kamala Harris.
+++ 00:18 Zelenskyj ensures necessary support for the army in Avdiivka +++
In view of the bitter fighting for the city of Avdiivka, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is promising the army in the east of the country the necessary support. “We are doing our utmost to ensure that our fighters have sufficient organizational and technological capacity to save as many Ukrainian lives as possible,” said Zelensky in his evening video message. The Ukrainian Army’s Third Attack Brigade had previously stated on Telegram that it had been moved to Avdiivka, which is surrounded by Russian troops on three sides, as urgently needed reinforcements.
+++ 23:26 Baerbock: Europe needs a security and defense union +++
Before the start of the Munich Security Conference, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for stronger European cooperation in defense. “In the next few years it will no longer be just about supporting Ukraine militarily. We Europeans must be able to defend ourselves better,” says the Green politician. “We finally need a security and defense union that strengthens the European pillar in NATO – in line with our economic size, and regardless of who is in power in the USA.” Baerbock calls for joint strategic European procurement, development and industrial cooperation. Each EU country can contribute its “special national strengths”. For Germany, Baerbock mentions “our know-how in air defense or the armed forces”. Baerbock is also calling for an increase in the 100 billion euro special fund for the Bundeswehr.
+++ 22:30 White House: Russia could take Avdiivka +++
Ukraine does not have enough weapons to defend Avdiivka against the Russians. That’s what John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator on the White House National Security Council, said during a briefing, pointing out the danger that Russian forces could take the city in the Donetsk region. According to Kirby, this is mainly due to the lack of artillery shells in Ukraine and Russia’s superior manpower. Kriby reports on “incredibly intense fighting” in eastern Ukraine and cites Avdiivka as an example (see also entries 9:30 p.m. and 5:50 p.m.).
+++ 22:05 Nuclear weapons in space: Biden orders talks with Russia +++
According to the US government, Russia is developing an anti-satellite weapon, but it has not yet been put into service. The White House thus officially confirms Russia’s development of a space-based weapon (see entry at 8:56 p.m.). The development is worrying, says John Kirby, spokesman for national security. However, there is no immediate danger. “They are still developing these skills. We are still in the process of analyzing the information we have available.” President Joe Biden has ordered a series of initial measures, including direct diplomatic contacts with Russia. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will brief senior members of Congress on the situation later today.
+++ 21:50 Espionage for Russia: Ukrainians arrested in Poland +++
The Polish domestic secret service ABW says it has arrested a Ukrainian who is said to have worked as a Russian agent. The man acted “as part of a criminal group on the instructions of the Russian secret service” and prepared “diversion and sabotage actions,” explains the ABW. He said he had made preparations to set fire to buildings in Wroclaw, southwestern Poland, near “strategically important infrastructure facilities.” According to the ABW, the man arrested on January 31 faces up to twelve years in prison. The secret service does not provide any information about the suspect’s age. Last November, 16 citizens from states east of the country were indicted in Poland for suspected secret service activities for Russia. Among other things, they are said to have planned to attach GPS transmitters to Polish aid convoys for Ukraine. Poland is one of neighboring Ukraine’s most important military allies in its defense against the Russian war of aggression that began in February 2022. The country is also a hub for Western military aid to Kiev.
+++ 21:30 Russians capture important bunker position near Avdiivka +++
Russian troops have apparently captured a strategically important Ukrainian position south of the embattled city of Avdiivka. A drone video published by Russian military bloggers shows Kremlin soldiers raising the Russian flag in the middle of the Zenit facility. Pro-Ukrainian bloggers reported an orderly withdrawal of the defenders. The cover “Zenit” stands for a massively expanded bunker system that previously covered the south of Avdiivka. The Soviet military built the complex to house air defense units that were supposed to protect a nearby, but no longer existing, air force base. Ukrainian troops moved into the bunker in 2014, shortly after the Russian invasion of Donbass. The old Minsk Agreement contact line is just a few hundred meters away.
+++ 21:16 NATO solidarity: Söder accuses Trump of “protection money” statements +++
Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder has sharply criticized former US President Donald Trump for his statements about NATO solidarity. By questioning the obligation to provide assistance, Trump is weakening the Western defense alliance, said the CSU leader at a European conference in Munich. If it becomes common practice to tell NATO partners that they will only receive assistance if they pay, this would be “a kind of protection money.” The CSU boss is committed to significantly increasing arms production in Germany. It is a “shame” that Ukraine is being left hanging and not providing it with enough weapons and ammunition to defend itself against Russia. “Material and ammunition must be delivered as quickly as possible so that Ukraine can defend itself,” says Söder.
+++ 20:56 White House confirms: Russia is developing new anti-satellite weapon +++
The US government has confirmed that Russia has developed a new anti-satellite weapon. However, this poses “no immediate threat to anyone’s security,” says US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. US media had previously reported that Russia was pushing ahead with plans to station a nuclear weapon in space. This weapon can target satellites. Moscow rejected the reports as “malicious” and “unfounded.” By means of such accusations, the US government wants to put pressure on the opposition Republicans in Congress to agree to the new billion-dollar aid package for Ukraine, it is said.
You can read all previous developments here.