Advance to the west?

Russian troops take next town

Russian soldiers in Avdiivka

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

According to their own statements, Russian troops have captured the next town in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian military announced that it had withdrawn from the village of Lastochkyne in order to better contain the advance to the west.

The village of Lastochkyne is located around five kilometers northwest of Avdiivka. According to reports , at least two people had previously been killed in Russian air strikes at night. The Ukrainian armed forces are currently on the defensive in the east. Russia is deploying large numbers of personnel and artillery on the front line in order to achieve territorial gains (see video above).

Russian soldiers in Avdiivka

(Bild: AP/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service)

Many politicians no longer expect the war in Ukraine to end quickly. Neither the Russian nor the Ukrainian army are in a position to achieve their goals, said Czech President Petr Pavel. "We really have a deficit not only in terms of possible support for Ukraine, but above all in terms of securing our own combat and defense capabilities," he said, referring to the EU. The mutual fatigue caused by the conflict would probably lead to negotiations sooner or later. 

152 Czechs allowed to fight in Ukraine
According to Pavel, he supports Ukraine's desire to regain full control over its territory. Since taking office in March 2023, he has allowed a total of 20 Czechs to fight in the Ukrainian army. Service in foreign armed forces is prohibited by law, but exceptions may be granted. Pavel's predecessor, Miloš Zeman, had given 132 approvals during his term of office.