Ukraine says 'fierce' fighting underway with Russian troops in Avdiivka

Ukraine says fierce fighting is raging for the frontline city of Avdiivka which has become a main target for Russia ahead of the second anniversary of its special military operation.

"Fierce battles are taking place within the city," Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, a Ukrainian general in the east, said on social media on Friday.

"Our troops are using all available forces and means to restrain the enemy," he said, adding "New positions have been prepared and powerful fortifications continue to be prepared, taking into account all possible scenarios."

He called the situation in Avdiivka, which is surrounded on three sides by Russian troops, "difficult but controlled".

The Ukrainian military said the Ukrainian forces were being reinforced and were "standing their ground."

Russia has been trying to take control of Avdiivka for months. Moscow’s capture of the symbolic city would be the most significant territorial gain for Moscow since it captured Bakhmut last May.

The latest developments come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky headed for Germany and France in a new bid to secure more military aid.

Putin says 'impossible' to defeat Russia, has no interest in expanding war

President Vladimir Putin has warned the West against underestimating Russia, saying it is "impossible" to defeat his country in Ukraine.

European coalition bids to provide Ukraine with 1 million drones

Meanwhile, a group of European nations, led by Latvia and the UK, joined a coalition committed to manufacturing and providing Ukraine with one million drones.

Latvia first announced it would lead the coalition last month, but plans advanced Wednesday when the Baltic nation signed a letter of intent to build out the project with Ukraine, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany.

“[The] Drone Coalition intends to deliver 1 million drones to Ukraine,” said Latvia’s MoD in a Thursday statement.

“By signing the letter of intent, countries have agreed to commit resources for manufacturing of drones and will deliver these drones and spare parts to Ukraine, where they will be tested and [the] Coalition will also train Ukrainian troops on how to use them and integrate with other technologies,” the statement added.

Also on Thursday, the UK said it will co-lead the drone coalition with Latvia.

Russia launched the military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Western countries have responded to the Russian military operation by backing Ukraine with cash and heavy weaponry while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russian officials and entities.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that such a flow of weapons to Kiev will only prolong the conflict.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the US, alone, has pledged more than $43 billion in security aid to Ukraine.

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