Russian forces continued a major offensive in eastern Ukraine and missiles struck major power facilities in the country on Friday. According to reports, Russian forces fired more than 100 missiles throughout the country, hitting power facilities in six regions and causing blackouts in most parts.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine was without 44 per cent of nuclear generation and 75 per cent of thermal power capacity.
The latest Russian attacks come a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned to Kyiv after a meeting with European allies. Zelenskyy travelled to the UK, as well as France and Germany and requested fighter jets as the next level of cooperation.
Battle for Bakhmut
Russia is focused on capturing the eastern Donetsk city of Bakhmut, with Russian forces claiming the forces have occupied several streets in the city. Russia is using all its might to take control over the strategic city to mark a symbolic victory ahead of the first anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Ukrainian and Russia forces have been fighting in Bakhmut area for months, and less than one per cent of the pre-war population remains in the war-torn city, according to reports. Russia's Wagner mercenary group has played a major role in the fight for Bakhmut.
The capture of Bakhmut is significant for Moscow as it eyes to seize Donetsk and Luhansk by the spring. Bakhmut represents “a gateway” to Sloviansk and Kramatorsk regions, Michael Kofman, the director of Russia Studies at the US-based Centre for Naval Analyses told the TIME.
Biden in Poland
US President Joe Biden will mark this anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with a visit to NATO ally Poland. Biden will travel February 20-22, meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda and also members of the Bucharest Nine, a group of NATO members in eastern Europe, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Friday. Biden is, however, unlikely to visit Ukraine due to security reasons.
The White House on Friday said it would welcome any effort that could lead to an end to hostilities in Ukraine. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said,” I think there’s still time for Putin to stop the war. I think there’s still time for it.” When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role, Kirby said: “PM Modi can convince; I will let PM Modi speak to whatever efforts he’s willing to undertake.”
Biden's trip will coincide with a state of the nation address in Moscow by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 21. On the same day last year, Putin, in his speech, recognised the “independence” of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine. That announcement was used as a reason to launch his full-scale invasion of Ukraine soon after.