Ukraine News: Big Loss for Russia

In the war in Ukraine, Russia's troops are increasing pressure, but Ukraine can continue to inflict heavy losses on the Russian military. Message Ticker.

• Ukraine attacked Russian training camp: At least 60 Russian soldiers were killed in the attack
• Despite the Taurus debate: Thanks to Olaf Scholz, Ambassador of Ukraine for the “Leadership”.
• Information processed here comes from international media and news agencies, as well as from warring parties Russia and Ukraine and their allies. In particular, information about the losses of the forces involved Ukraine war Cannot be independently verified.

Updated as of February 21, 5:21 pm: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a conference call to discuss the situation at the front, ammunition supplies and the siege of the Ukrainian border by Polish peasants.
He said this in a post on the Telegram messaging app Ugrinform.

“Today, in addition to the topics of the day, we discussed a blockade on the Polish border. We have detailed our next steps. They happen very quickly,” Zelensky said. He firmly believed that the liberalization of trade with the EU should continue and thanked the “European Commission for its clear position”.

“Our unity must be strong in the interests of common security and the security of all countries threatened by Russian aggression. Circumstantial interests have no right to weaken them,” said Zelensky.

Ukraine war: Shoals no longer wants to supply Taurus missiles

Updated as of February 21, 4:23 pm: President Olaf Scholes (SPD) continues to rule out the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. At the same time, he “wholeheartedly” supported the Bundestag motion by coalition units on the war in Ukraine, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told a federal press conference in Berlin on Wednesday. The motion, which the Bundestag intends to debate this Thursday, calls for, among other things, “the provision of additional long-range weapon systems that are required”.

It would enable Ukraine to “execute targeted strikes on strategically relevant targets in the rear of the Russian aggressor.” Taurus cruise missiles meet these requirements, but are not explicitly specified. Hepstreet didn't even say the word “Taurus.” He said of Scholes' approach: “As far as a special weapons system is concerned, he stuck to his position.”

Ukraine is transitioning to F-16 fighter jets faster than any other country

Updated as of February 21, 2:10 pm: Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said Ukraine is transitioning to F-16 fighter jets faster than any other country and is making the necessary preparations. “Pilots are being retrained, infrastructure is being repaired, some emergency shelters are being built, runways are being upgraded,” he told the Union News Agency.

Under wartime conditions, the F-16's infrastructure cannot be fully adapted to the needs of NATO countries, but “the aircraft can still take off.” They don't yet know when the F-16 will be available, but they expect it “as soon as possible.” Ignat emphasized that the aircraft will be acquired gradually. “Ukrainian pilots must fully master the technology, fly independently and without an instructor,” the spokesman said. “Our pilots do it in an accelerated manner because the retraining course takes two years, but we do it very fast,” he added.

After the capture of Avtivka: Russian troops are now concentrating on Robotin in the south

Updated as of February 21, 1:05 pm: British sources say Russian troops have stepped up their offensive near the village of Robotyn in southern Ukraine. The Russian 58th Army and Airborne Forces in the region suffered heavy losses in a Ukrainian counteroffensive last year, the British Ministry of Defense announced in London on Wednesday. However, slower operations and stronger recruitment efforts allowed Russian forces to mobilize and strengthen on that front, it said, citing intelligence.

Robotin in Zaporizhia region was liberated by Ukrainian units in the summer of 2023. The village, originally inhabited by a few hundred people, was closer to the front. It said in London that Russian troops had recently stepped up their attacks on other sections of the front. Its purpose is to disperse Ukrainian troops.

Greens criticize coalition partner FTP: Strack-Zimmermann wants to approve Union proposal on Taurus

Updated as of February 21, 11:35 am: Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), head of the defense committee, caused irritation among the Greens with her announced support for the Union's application to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles.

Irene Mihalik, Parliamentary Executive Director of the Green Party's Parliamentary Group, said in Berlin, “She cannot understand Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann's behavior on this issue, if she really cares about providing vital support services. This federal government “will bring Ukraine to its path and document this motion, which must agree to a coalition motion, not an opposition motion.” The FDP politician, who is his party's primary candidate in June's European elections, “is now particularly concerned with this announcement for himself, I can only assume,” said Mihalic. He added: “I advise her to vote differently.”

The Green Party politician insisted that the Traffic Light Alliance had agreed in its own plan that Ukraine needed extensive and heavy weapons systems. Taurus cruise missiles are not specifically named in use. “I don't expect there to be people in my group who agree with the union proposal,” Mihalik said in response to a journalist's question.

News on Ukraine War: Has Russia Captured a Critical Bridge?

Updated as of February 21, 9:45 am: The Ukrainian military on Wednesday denied the loss of its Kringi bridge on the Russian-occupied bank of the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine. The Southern Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on online networks on Wednesday that information from “aggressive” Russia about the capture of the bridgehead was “false”. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the capture of Grinki in a televised conversation with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

Current state of Ukraine war: Kiev denies Russian takeover of key bridge

“Defence forces in the south of Ukraine continue to hold their positions and inflict significant losses on the enemy,” the Ukrainian military said.

On Tuesday, Russian state media quoted Defense Minister Shoigu as saying Russian troops were “on the banks of the Khringi River”. Ukraine built positions hard in the summer of 2023 in the village of Kringy. The establishment of the bridgehead was one of the few successes of the Ukrainian counteroffensive last summer, but it did not lead to any gains further south.

Russia launches new attacks at night – Ukraine reports successful defense

Updated as of February 21, 7:45 am: According to its air force, Ukraine was hit overnight by 19 drones and six missiles. Air defense managed to destroy 13 drones and one missile. Some drones that are not intercepted cannot reach their targets. No further details were disclosed.

A Himars attack on a training camp in Donetsk during the Ukrainian War

First Statement: Donetsk – Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine between the Ukrainian army and the forces of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Finally, the city of Avdivka fell to the Russian army. Ukraine retreats to prevent encirclement. However, even after their victory at Avdiivka, Russian units continued to suffer heavy losses on the Eastern Front.

Ukraine attacks Russian training camp: At least 60 Russian soldiers killed in attack

On Tuesday (February 20), the Ukrainian military launched a massive attack on a Russian training base near the village of Trudivske in the Russian-occupied Donetsk region. This was reported by the Russian version of the British broadcaster BBC, citing informed sources. Motorized Russian soldiers from eastern Transbaikalia were fired upon by US-supplied Himars missiles as they waited for their commander at a training camp.

According to a BBC report, troops from the 4th, 5th and 6th companies of the 36th Motorized Rifle Brigade from the Trans-Baikal city of Borsia were stationed at the site. In the open they were at the mercy of attack as they waited for their commander, Major General Oleg Moiseev. The impact of Himars rockets later resulted in dozens of deaths, the BBC found based on video footage. At least 60 Russian soldiers were killed, the broadcaster estimated in its report. “The commanders camped in an open field,” one survivor of the attack complains in the videos.

Despite Taurus debate: Ukraine thanks Ambassador Olaf Scholes for “leadership role”

Despite reluctance to deliver Taurus cruise missiles, Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksiy Makeev has welcomed the Federal Republic of Ukraine's assistance under President Olaf Scholes (SPD) appreciated. “Under Chancellor Olaf Scholes, Germany has taken a leadership role in supporting our country. I am very grateful for that,” McKeeve told the Funke Media Group newspapers.

Regarding the discussion of Taurus missiles, McKeev recalled previous discussions: “Even in the case of tanks, it was said for a long time that these systems would not be delivered. But at one point they were there. The same applies to systems that have not been publicly discussed.” (PP/TPA)