Russian President Putin has affirmed that his country's army needs to advance further in the Donbass region.
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| Ukrainian police stand in front of a destroyed building in the town of Avdiivka following air strikes amid the ongoing conflict between the country and Russia. (Source: Getty) |
On February 23, Reuters (UK) reported that the Russian Defense Ministry announced that its army continued to advance westward after gaining control of the town of Avdiivka in Ukraine.
The British news agency has not yet independently verified the battlefield reports.
Earlier, on February 20, a few days after Moscow announced it had taken control of Avdiivka, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
At the meeting, Mr. Putin emphasized: "Victory in Avdiivka is certain and the Russian army needs to advance further in the Donbass region. The development of the campaign must be well prepared, fully supplied with personnel, weapons, equipment and ammunition."
Taking control of Avdiivka could be seen as Moscow's biggest step forward since last May when it captured Bakhmut.
Newsweek quoted experts as saying that Moscow's next target is likely to be Pokrovsk, about 70km northwest of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk, or Selidove and Chasiv Yar, also in the Donetsk region.
In another related development, on the same day, February 23, AFP reported that the European Council reaffirmed its support for Ukraine on the occasion of the second anniversary of Russia's launch of a special military operation in the neighboring Eastern European country (February 24, 2022).
In a joint statement, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric said she and other leaders of the Strasbourg-based body reiterated their “unwavering support” for Kiev.
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