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This Friday marks 359 days since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. kyiv urges the nearly 6,000 citizens who remain in Bakhmut to leave the city before the heavy fighting and the use of enemy artillery in residential areas of the town, the main objective of the Russian troops in the Donetsk region and new symbol of the Ukrainian resistance. Meanwhile, the president of Russia, Vladimir Putinmeets with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, his closest ally in the conflict. On the other hand, the Munich Security Conference begins in the German city, where they go world leaders such as US Vice President Kamala Harris, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who address the war in Ukraine and its impact on the international relations.
At least 175,000 Russian casualties since the start of the conflict, according to the UK
He UK Ministry of Defense He puts Russian casualties at between 175,000 and 200,000 since the start of the conflict, almost a year ago. Among them, there are between 40,000 and 60,000 dead, according to what he details in his latest report. London points out that the number of Russian casualties has increased significantly since September, when President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of reservists. In addition, he claims that the casualty rate among the mercenaries of the wagner groupwhich “has deployed a large number of prisoners”, is very high, up to 50% of the combatants.
Latest Defense Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 17 February 2023
Find out more about the UK government’s response: https://t.co/79EeudgP5j
?? #StandWithUkraine ?? pic.twitter.com/XHzsXcaPNB
— Ministry of Defense ?? (@DefenceHQ) February 17, 2023
Russian anti-aircraft defense shoots down another alleged Ukrainian drone in Crimea
The Russian anti-aircraft defense has shot down this Friday another drone allegedly used by Ukraine to attack a thermoelectric plant in the port city of Sevastopol, in the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. “Early today in the morning, in the area of the Balaklava thermoelectric power plant, the air defense forces have shot down a drone. There is no damage to the plant, which is operating normally,” Sevastopol Governor Mikhail wrote on Telegram. Razvozhayev. The day before, the politician imposed by Russia in the annexed city also denounced a Ukrainian attack with drones in the Sevastopol area and in other areas of the sea that bathes the Crimean peninsula. Since last August, the Crimean authorities have denounced Ukrainian drone attacks in different parts of the peninsula.
Ukraine orders immediate evacuation of Bakhmut residents
The Government of Ukraine has asked civilians residing in the city of Bakhmut, which is in the throes of clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces, evacuate immediately. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk called on Bakhmut residents overnight on Thursday to leave the city because of “heavy fighting taking place” as “Russian troops are attacking residential areas,” and He recalled that during the day five civilians died and nine were injured. “They must evacuate immediately, because when you stay, you put yourself and your loved ones at risk, especially the children who are forced to stay with you,” the deputy prime minister explained. She also indicated that staying in the area “creates additional problems and risks” for emergency and rescue teams. She also pointed out that those who remain “prevent” the Armed Forces from working normally in the city, since “they have to constantly check” the safety of civilians.
