Russian invasion of Ukraine: Day 724

Summary for Saturday, 17th February 2024 - DAY 724

Key developments over the past 24 hours:

• The main news overnight is the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the devastated town of Avdiivka in Donetsk. As the two-year mark of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches, Ukrainian troops are under pressure along the frontline, with depleted and exhausted ranks and a shortage of artillery shells that has been exacerbated by the stalling of a large US funding package. The loss of Avdiivka paves the way for Russia’s biggest advance since May 2023 when it captured the city of Bakhmut.
  
  
• The US president, Joe Biden, led a wave of global outrage over Friday’s death in Russia of the opposition leader and pro-democracy activist Alexei Navalny, one of President Vladimir Putin’s most vocal critics, who was serving a lengthy prison term in an Arctic penal colony. Biden blamed Navalny’s death on Putin “and his thugs”. The European Union said Navalny was “slowly murdered” by the Putin regime and it would be held accountable.
  
  
• At least 73 protesters were arrested at vigils and other celebrations of Navalny’s life in numerous Russian cities, human rights observers said. Mourners and protesters also gathered across several cities in Europe and the US.
  
  
• Russia’s foreign ministry said the US should show restraint before accusing the country of causing Navalny’s death.
  
  
• The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said Russians who voted for Putin at elections next month should realise they were voting for a murderer. “The events tell (us) that Putin is a murderer and this is not rhetoric,” Zelenskiy told a news conference in Paris,
  
  
• Zelenskiy signed a security pact with France on Friday, hours after securing a similar deal with Germany hailed by its chancellor, Olaf Scholz, as a “historic step” to lock in support for Kyiv in its battle against Russia. Both agreements were part of Zelenskiy’s drive to shore up help for his forces in Avdiivka. The 10-year agreement with France included a French pledge for up to €3bn (£2.6bn/$3.2bn) in aid for 2024, officials said. On Saturday, Zelenskiy will address the Munich Security Conference, taking place against a backdrop of conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East and debate over the future of Nato.
  

Alexei Navalny death: protesters gather across Europe to express outrage and denounce Putin

The Guardian
Reuters reports:
Protests against Alexei Navalny’s death took place in cities across Europe and beyond on Friday night, with some demonstrators branding Vladimir Putin a “killer” and demanding accountability.
Protesters, many of them Russians living abroad, gathered in Berlin, London, Vilnius, Rome, Amsterdam, Barcelona, New York City, Geneva and The Hague, among others.
Read more here.

Here’s a look at what it’s like for those marking Alexei Navalny’s death in Russia, in sharp contrast to the protests outwith the country.

The Guardian
Russian police have detained more than 100 people at memorials for Navalny, AFP reports, citing the figure to the OVD-Info rights group.
The number includes 64 in Saint Petersburg, OVD-Info said, while 11 were detained in the capital Moscow, and others in the cities of Nizhny Novgorod, Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don and Tver.
Authorities in Moscow on Friday said they were aware of calls online “to take part in a mass rally in the centre of Moscow” and warned people against attending. There are strict anti-dissent laws in Russia, and authorities have been particularly hardline in policing shows of support for Navalny.
It comes after a video emerged showing an activist being detained in Moscow after she held up a protest sign near a site where people were laying flowers in memory of Navalny:

Ukrainian forces withdraw from Avdiivka

Dylan Malyasov - Defence Blog
Ukrainian Chief of General Staff Oleksandr Syrskyi announced the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka, a key town that has become a focal point in the ongoing battles in the region.
Syrskyi stated, “Considering the operational situation around Avdiivka and aiming to prevent encirclement while safeguarding the lives and health of our servicemen, I have made the decision to withdraw our units from the city and transition to a defensive posture at more advantageous positions.”
“We are taking measures to stabilize the situation and hold our current positions,” he added, affirming Ukraine’s resolve to reclaim Avdiivka.
Avdiivka has been a hotly contested area since Russian-backed forces seized control of significant parts of the Donbas region, including Donetsk, in 2014. The town has remained under constant threat since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
President Volodymyr Zelensky underscored that Ukraine’s maintenance of a shortage of weapons, particularly artillery and long-range strike capabilities, allows Putin to adapt to the current intensity of hostilities. He warned against this self-weakening of democracies, stressing that it undermines collective efforts and the shared goals of democratic nations.
Zelensky reiterated his call for increased military assistance from Western nations, emphasizing Ukraine’s proven ability to confront Russian forces on the battlefield.

Ukraine withdrew from Avdiivka to save troops' lives, commander-in-chief says

The Ukrainian army withdrew its troops from the devastated town of Avdiivka in Donetsk to avoid encirclement and save the lives of its troops, the army’s commander-in-chief has said.
In a short statement posted on Facebook, Ukrainian commander Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said he had made the decision to avoid encirclement and “preserve the lives and health of servicemen.” He added that troops were moving to “more favourable lines.”
“Our soldiers performed their military duty with dignity, did everything possible to destroy the best Russian military units, inflicted significant losses on the enemy in terms of manpower and equipment.
“We are taking measures to stabilize the situation and maintain our positions,” the statement read.

Some Ukrainian soldiers withdrawing from Avdiivka have described a chaotic retreat on social media

One troop wrote on Instagram that the hasty withdrawal meant there was no time to evacuate weapons and equipment, nor to burn papers and plant mines in the way of advancing Russian troops. “The road to Avdiivka is littered with our corpses,” he wrote.
His and other accounts posted describing the withdrawal have not been independently confirmed by the Guardian.
In a statement on Saturday, Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, the Ukrainian commander responsible for forces in the south-east of the country pointed to Russia’s artillery shell advantage. “In a situation where the enemy is advancing on the corpses of their own soldiers with a ten-to-one shell advantage, under constant bombardment, this [withdrawal] is the only correct solution,” he said.
It comes after soldiers at a base near a section of the frontline in Donetsk region, west of Avdiivka, told the Guardian on Thursday that their capacity to strike the Russians had been cut dramatically since November.
“Back then, we could fire every half hour, to stop them from relaxing and disrupt their movements, now we have to be very selective, and only fire for defence,” said their commander, who gave his call-sign, Titushko, in accordance with Ukrainian army regulations.

'How long will the world let Russia be like this?' Zelenskiy asks world leaders in Munich

“How long will the world let Russia be like this?” That was the question Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked world leaders on Saturday as he underlined the threat Russia’s war poses to nations beyond Ukraine.
Speaking at the the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskiy underlined that Ukraine can still win the war and that it was vital for the world that it does. He called for security to be made a “reality again”, warning that “there is no one for whom the ongoing war in Europe does not pose a threat”.
He warned that Ukraine’s shortage of weapons was strengthening Russia. “Unfortunately, keeping Ukraine in an artificial deficit of weapons, particularly in deficit of artillery and long-range capabilities, allows Putin to adapt to the current intensity of the war,” he said.
He concluded his speech with a plea: “Please, do not ask Ukraine when the war will end. Ask yourself, why is Putin still able to continue it.”

Navalny’s death confirmed by opposition leader's spokeswoman

Geneva Abdul - The Guardian
Alexei Navalny’s spokeswoman has confirmed that the Russian opposition leader is dead, citing an official notice given to Navalny’s mother.
The statement comes after Lydumila Navalnaya was reported travelling to the prison together with her son’s lawyer on Saturday.
Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh demanded that Navalny’s body be immediately handed over to his family.

Navalny's mother told he died from 'sudden death syndrome'

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s mother was told on Saturday that he had been struck down by “sudden death syndrome”, his team has said.
She was also told that his body would not be handed over to the family until an investigation was completed, his team said. It was not clear where his body was.
Lyudmila Navalnaya was given an official death notice stating the time of death as 2:17 pm local time on 16 February, Navalny’s spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, told Reuters.
“When Alexei’s lawyer and mother arrived at the colony this morning, they were told that the cause of Navalny’s death was sudden death syndrome,” Ivan Zhdanov, who directs Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, said X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Sudden death syndrome” is a general term for various cardiac syndromes that cause sudden cardiac arrest and death.

More than 250 protesters detained across Russia

At least 273 people have been detained at events across 32 Russian cities since the death of Alexei Navalny, according to rights group OVD-Info.
OVD-Info, which reports on freedom of assembly in Russia, said the largest numbers of arrests on Saturday occurred in St Petersburg and Moscow, with 59 and 47 detained, respectively, as of this afternoon.
It is the largest wave of political protest arrests since 1,300 gathered to demonstrate against a “partial mobilisation” of reservists for the Ukraine war in September 2022.

Alexei Navalny: police in Russia crack down on protests as activists are detained – video report

Here is a roundup of today’s key developments. The time in Kyiv is 6pm.

• Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s mother and his lawyer were told on Saturday that he had been struck down by “sudden death syndrome”, his team has said. Another lawyer of Navalny’s, however, was told by the penal colony’s investigative committee that the cause of death had not yet been established, Navalny’s spokesperson said.
  
  
• G7 foreign ministers have demanded that Russia fully clarify the circumstances surrounding Alexei Navalny’s death. The foreign ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States met in Munich on Saturday.
  
  
• Alexei Navalny’s spokeswoman has said that the opposition leader’s body was not in the morgue in Salekhard, the town near to the prison where Navalny died on Friday.
  
  
• Ukrainian forces shot down three Russian warplanes over eastern Ukraine on Saturday, the country’s air force chief has said. This claim has not been independently verified.
  
  
• A number of Ukrainian troops were captured by Russia during their withdrawal from the town of Avdiivka, Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, the Ukrainian commander responsible for forces in Ukraine’s south-east, has said.
  
  
• Volodymyr Zelenskiy told world leaders not to ask when the Ukraine war will end but instead “why is Putin still able to continue it” as he underlined the threat Russia poses beyond his own country and called for more support.
  

Over 340 arrests at Navalny memorials in Russia

More than 340 protesters have been arrested at Alexei Navalny memorials in Russia, Sky News reported.
The broadcaster cited the figures from independent human rights organisation OVD-Info which reports on freedom of assembly in Russia.

Most troops have left Avdiivka, no large-scale capture of Ukrainian soldiers – 3rd Separate Assault Brigade

Kateryna Tyshchenko - Ukrainska Pravda

The situation around Avdiivka as of Saturday evening. Screenshot: DeepStateMap

Most of the Ukrainian troops had left Avdiivka as of Saturday evening, and the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade has no reports of large numbers of their soldiers being taken prisoner.
Source: Oleksandr Borodin, press officer of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on the Ukrainska Pravda project UP.Summary; 3rd Separate Assault Brigade on Telegram.




Quote: "We have now retreated to our prepared positions... Most of the troops have already left, but this is a lengthy process. It is important to understand that such operations are very complex, sometimes more complex than assault operations... The lion's share of the process is done, but some elements still remain.
I do not know of any people who are encircled. There are just a few more steps that need to be taken, but the logistics are working, everything is fine."

Details: Borodin noted that his brigade had withdrawn to the positions that had been "prepared in terms of fortifications".
He has no reports of Ukrainian soldiers being captured on a large scale. However, Borodin noted that it is too early to draw conclusions yet, as the process of the Defence Forces' withdrawal from Avdiivka is not yet complete.

Quote: "It's hard to say whether everyone [has left Avdiivka] – we are not the only ones there.  There has been no systemic or unit-level capture as far as my brigade is concerned."

More details: The 3rd Separate Assault Brigade noted on Telegram that right up until their withdrawal, the brigade's soldiers had prevented the Russians from completely encircling their positions.
"The brigade has withdrawn to prepared positions on the outskirts of Avdiivka and levelled the front line.  At the moment, the Russians are not slowing down their offensive.  We continue to hold the line on the Avdiivka front," the post says.
It is noted that the brigade had inflicted significant losses on the key offensive group of the Russian army since it was relocated to Avdiivka. About 1,500 Russians were killed, over 3,500 were wounded, and more than 20 armoured vehicles were destroyed.

Background: On the night of 16-17 February, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, announced the withdrawal of Ukrainian units from Avdiivka.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia's losses in Avdiivka were seven times higher than Ukraine's.

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Commander of the Tavriia Operational and Strategic Group of Forces (OSGF), reported that Ukraine will be appealing to international humanitarian organisations and intermediary countries regarding the "certain number" of Ukrainian soldiers captured in Avdiivka.

Explosions rock Kharkiv

Ivashkiv Olena - Ukrainska Pravda

Explosions occurred in the city of Kharkiv on the night of 17-18 February.

Source: Kharkiv Oblast Police; Air Force of Ukraine

Details: A few minutes before the explosion, an air-raid warning was issued in the oblast due to the threat of ballistic missiles.

Quote from the police: "Explosions are being heard in Kharkiv. Stay in shelters until the all-clear is given."

Moldova discovers drone debris near Ukrainian border

Yuri Zoria - Euromaidan Press

Moldovan police found debris of a Russian drone much like the Iranian Shahed-136 model 2km from Ukraine, amid Russia’s ongoing drone attacks

Moldova’s Border Police announced that they discovered “more fragments of a drone similar to Geran-2” on 17 February near the village of Etulia Nouă, Vulcănești district. The Geran-2 is the Russian designation of the Iranian-made Shahed-136 suicide drone.
As Russia continues to attack Ukraine’s southwestern regions using the Iranian explosive drones, some of Russia’s UAVs cross the border and crash in nearby countries. Previously, NATO member Romania reported several drone crashes in its border regions.

“The drone fragments were spotted in a field, approximately 2 km from the Moldovan-Ukrainian border line and about 5 km from the village,” the Moldovan Border police reported.

The photos shared by the agency show not only the drone debris, but also a crater on the field.

- Crater left behind by a Shahed drone explosion in Moldova. Photo: border.gov.md

- Debris of the Shahed-136 drone in Moldova. Photo: border.gov.md

- Debris of the Shahed-136 drone in Moldova. Photo: border.gov.md

On 14 December, following one of Russia’s drone crashes in Romania, NATO Spokesperson Dylan White wrote on Twitter that NATO condemns the Russian attacks on Ukraine but does not have information that Russia’s attack on the NATO territory was intentional.

Closing Summary

Here is a brief run-down of the main developments of the day:

• Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s mother and his lawyer were told on Saturday that he had been struck down by “sudden death syndrome”, his team has said. Another lawyer of Navalny’s, however, was told by the penal colony’s investigative committee that the cause of death had not yet been established, Navalny’s spokesperson said.
  
  
• G7 foreign ministers have demanded that Russia fully clarify the circumstances surrounding Alexei Navalny’s death. The foreign ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States met in Munich on Saturday.
  
  
• Alexei Navalny’s spokeswoman has said that the opposition leader’s body was not in the morgue in Salekhard, the town near to the prison where Navalny died on Friday.
  
  
• More than 340 protesters have been arrested at Alexei Navalny memorials across Russia, Sky News reported.
  
  
• Ukrainian forces shot down three Russian warplanes over eastern Ukraine on Saturday, the country’s air force chief has said. This claim has not been independently verified.
  
  
• A number of Ukrainian troops were captured by Russia during their withdrawal from the town of Avdiivka, Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, the Ukrainian commander responsible for forces in Ukraine’s south-east, has said.
  
  
• Volodymyr Zelenskiy told world leaders not to ask when the Ukraine war will end but instead “why is Putin still able to continue it” as he underlined the threat Russia poses beyond his own country and called for more support.
  
  
• Kamala Harris on Saturday criticised Donald Trump’s cajoling of Russia to attack Nato allies of the US who don’t pay their dues, saying the American people would never accept a president who bowed to a dictator. “The idea that the former president of the US would say that he – quote – encourages a brutal dictator to invade our allies, and that the United States of America would simply stand by and watch,” Harris said. “No previous US president, regardless of their party, has bowed down to a Russian dictator before.”