War in Ukraine. Washington does not see a “direct threat” to Moldova or Romania

Russian missile flights over Romania and Moldova, Russian mass strikes in Ukraine, Russian army advances in Bakhmut, Putin’s speech in Red Square on February 21… Le Figaro Provides an update on the Russian offensive in Ukraine this Friday, February 10.

Ukraine announces the flight of Russian missiles in Romania, Bucharest denies

The head of the Ukrainian army said that on Friday morning, before entering Ukraine, two Russian cruise missiles flew over NATO member country Romania, as well as Moldova. Two rounds were firedfrom the black sea“have”crossed Romanian airspace at approximately 08:33 Paris timeBefore entering the airspace of Ukraine, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Valery Zaluzhny, said in a statement. “Nobody” the missile did not enter the airspace of Romania, but the Ministry of Defense of Romania announced this, contrary to the assurance of the head of the Ukrainian army. According to Bucharest, however, a missile passed 35 km from Romanian territory, which justified the dispatch of two fighter jets.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, continued to insist on this “several missiles crossed the airspace of Moldova and Romania”.causing a “Challenge to NATO”. From Russia. Moldova, a former Soviet republic located between Romania and Ukraine, condemned Russia’s activities on Thursday. “destabilize” against him, in turn called the Russian ambassador to condemn him “unacceptable violation”. from its airspace. The United States also indicated on Friday that it was supporting Moldova, but received nothing “direct threat” targeting this former Soviet republic, which neighbors Ukraine or Romania, after a Russian missile flew over its territory.

Russian “mass attack”, 61 71 missiles shot down by Ukraine

Russia launched an attack on Friday “massive” With dozens of missiles targeting energy facilities in Ukraine, this new salvo of Russian missiles against Ukraine comes after a European tour by Volodymyr Zelensky, who in London, Paris and Brussels urged his allies to provide long-range missiles and fighter jets. According to the Ukrainian authorities, the Russian army fired 71 projectiles on Friday, of which 61 were hit. They were Kh-101, Kh-555, Kalibr cruise missiles, as well as “Shaheed” explosive drones of Iranian design. According to AFP journalists, several explosions were heard in Kiev in particular. In the morning, after anti-aircraft missile sirens sounded, residents went down to the subway to take shelter.

Russian advances Near Bakhmut and Voogledar

Russian forces have strengthened their positions north of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, cutting off a vital supply route to Ukraine, and further south in Vugledar, where they are under attack. “In fact, we cut three out of four supply linesThe Ukrainian army announced separatist official Denis Pushilin, citing Russian news agencies. According to him, Russian units also havestrengthened their position in the southern part of Wugledar, de facto its suburb“Ukrainians”continuing to transfer reservesstop them.

According to Denis Pushilin, there are about 1400 civilians in Vugledar, and the forces from Moscow.began to evacuate some of themto Volnovakha, in the occupied territory, near Donetsk. Denis Pushilin assured that the Ukrainian troops retaliated by hitting the cities in the rear that supply the Russian soldiers.

Russia may have lost half of its heavy tanks, Washington says

Half of Russia’s heavy tanks may have been destroyed or captured by Ukraine, a Pentagon official said Friday. Russia has “Probably lost half of its main stockpile of battle tanks in battles and captures by the Ukrainians.”, Celeste Wolander said at an online event at the Center for a New American Security. The estimate by Celeste Wolander, who did not give an exact number of Russian tank losses since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, comes as Kiev prepares to receive heavy tanks from its Western allies.

Biden will visit Poland to mark one year since the war in Ukraine

US President Joe Biden will visit Poland from February 20 to 22, just before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, his press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced on Friday. He will meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda there. “To talk about our bilateral cooperation and our collective efforts to support Ukraine and strengthen NATO’s deterrence capabilities.”he clarified.

The American president will also meet with the so-called “Bucharest Nine” group of Eastern European countries that are members of the Western Defense Alliance. Joe Biden also intends to make a speech, in which he will repeat that the USA will support Ukraine “how long does it take?” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, answering the question about a possible trip to Ukraine, said at a press conference that he has not. “There are no further steps to indicate.”

Power outages in some areas

According to the same source, emergency preventive cuts were implemented in several regions to avoid overloading the electrical grid, which would cause more damage. in Zaporozhye, “A part of the city is without electricity.”The secretary of the city council, Anatoli Kurtev, informed about it in Telegram, according to whom. “In one hour, 17 strikes were registered in the city, which is the highest rate since the beginning of the invasion.” in Russian.

Putin will address the people on February 21

Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a state of the nation address on February 21, the Kremlin announced, three days before the first anniversary of the Russian military’s offensive in Ukraine. Spokesman of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov said that the speech will cover “current situation“In particular, the attack of Russia in Ukraine and the economic situation in the country, and will take place in the Chamber of Congress near Red Square.

For Zelensky, the presence of Russian athletes at the Olympics is “a sign of violence and impunity”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday condemned the possibility of Russian athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which he said would be “A sign of violence and impunity”.including under a neutral flag. “While Russia is killing and terrorizing, representatives of this terrorist state have no place in sports and Olympic competitions.”Vladimir Zelensky said during a video conference with sports ministers of several countries. “The mere presence of the representatives of the terrorist state is a manifestation of violence and impunity.”he continued, adding: “and it cannot be covered by so-called neutrality or the white flag.”

Ukraine is against the presence of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Paris-2024 Olympic Games, as specifically planned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and has threatened to boycott the competitions. Thomas Bach, the president of the IOC, in his letter dated January 31, condemned and on Thursday revealed this attitude of Ukraine, which, according to him. “Against the Basics of the Olympic Movement.” According to Thomas Bach, these threats and pressures are perceived by Kiev as “too sad” from “the vast majority” National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and international federations.

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