According to the air force of Ukraine, on Sunday morning, they shot down 12 Shahed drones, as well as an Su-34 fighter-bomber and a Kh-59 missile.

The aircraft was brought down in eastern Ukraine, while the unmanned aerial vehicles and the projectile were taken out in Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Kirovohrad, and Dnipro regions.

The air force announced on Sunday that a total of 402,430 Russian troops have been lost in Ukraine since the start of the conflict in February 2022.

During a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his hope for the U.S. Congress to approve a delayed aid package for Ukraine, urging them to make a “wise decision.”

On X, previously known as Twitter, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for President Biden’s unwavering support and is confident in the wise decision that the U.S. Congress will make regarding the current front-line situation.

Zelenskyy has traveled to Germany to participate in the Munich Security Conference.

On Saturday, Zelenskyy cautioned his allies that the shortage of ammunition may allow Russia an opportunity to regroup and pose a threat to Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of possessing artillery and long-range weapons, especially after his military leader declared the withdrawal of troops from Avdiivka in the eastern region.

At the Munich Security Conference, a yearly meeting of officials in security and foreign policy, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is now in a defensive position against Russia in the ongoing war, citing a “manufactured shortage” of weapons for Ukraine.

He mentioned that we are currently in need of weapons, specifically those with long-range capabilities.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainians have shown that they have the ability to push Russia to withdraw. They have the potential to reclaim their territory, while Putin may suffer defeat, as has already been demonstrated multiple times on the frontlines.

Following a meeting between Ukrainian President and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the two leaders held a joint press conference in Munich. Harris stated, “It is in the best interest of the United States to maintain our support.”

Zelenskyy echoed Harris’s comments that the aid package for Ukraine stuck in Congress “is vital” to Ukraine’s war effort, and he stressed that Kyiv is counting on the U.S. to remain a “strategic partner.”

During the conference, NATO’s Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, highlighted how the delay in the approval of the U.S. Congress’ aid package for Ukraine directly affects their defense.

He stated that each passing week leads to an increase in casualties on the Ukrainian front line.

Kaja Kallas, the Prime Minister of Estonia, stated that if the United States isolates itself, it will ultimately incur greater costs. She cautioned that if aggression is successful in one location, it may encourage its use in other places, putting global security at risk.

The Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, who is the second-largest military provider for Ukraine after the U.S., reiterated his request for other European nations to increase their shipments. He also acknowledged the military support provided by the U.S. since the start of the war.

Avdiivka seized

On Saturday, Putin praised the Russian troops and their leader for successfully taking control of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka.

According to the Kremlin website, the leader of the country commended Russian soldiers for achieving a significant victory.

The Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, gave a report to the President about the city’s capture. The Kremlin was informed that Russian forces were currently working to eliminate remaining pockets of resistance at the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant, according to officials.

On Saturday, videos circulating on social media showed soldiers hoisting the Russian flag atop a structure belonging to the plant.

In response to the removal of Ukrainian military forces from Avdiivka in the southeast, Zelenskyy stated that the directive given by Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi was a “wise choice” and stressed the importance of protecting the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.

In addition, he proposed that Russia’s efforts have yielded limited results, noting that since October they have relentlessly assaulted Avdiivka with all their might and suffered significant losses of soldiers. This, he argues, is the extent of Russia’s accomplishments, as it has severely weakened their military forces.

The commander-in-chief of Ukraine, Syrskyi, announced on Facebook on Friday that the military personnel were relocated “in order to prevent being surrounded and protect the well-being and safety of our service members.”

Securing complete dominance over the two provinces in the industrial Donbas region is a crucial goal for Moscow, with the capture of the eastern city being a key step towards achieving it. This victory on the battlefield, emphasized by Putin himself, could potentially boost his chances of reelection next month.

At a press conference at the White House on Friday, Biden emphasized the importance of ongoing military aid to Ukraine in their conflict with Russia. He acknowledged that while the Senate, with support from both parties, has voted to fund Ukraine’s fight against Russia, the House of Representatives has not yet taken action.

Biden stated that the House of Representatives is under scrutiny from history. The decision to not aid Ukraine during this crucial time will leave a lasting impact. He emphasized the urgency of the situation and stressed the importance of taking action now. It is crucial for us to understand the severity of the situation at hand.

The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Reuters are sources of information for this report.

Source: voanews.com