According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine wants to return all parts of the Russian-occupied country – including Crimea – to the state federation. Zelenskyy emphasized this on Sunday on the anniversary of the occupation of the Black Sea peninsula by Russian troops. The situation on the fronts in eastern Ukraine remains static as the air force chief calls for more anti-aircraft weapons.
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Selenskyj wants to bring back Crimea
“In 2014, Russian aggression began with the conquest of Crimea,” Zelensky said in his late-night video address on Sunday. “It is logical that with the liberation of Crimea we will bring a historic end to all attempts by Russia to ruin the lives of Ukrainians and all the peoples of Europe and Asia, whom the Kremlin once claimed to subdue.”
Zelensky went on to say: “Today, February 26, we celebrate the day of resistance against the occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol.” He called on the country’s media to emphasize “that Ukraine does not abandon anyone and leaves no one to the enemy”. At the same time, Zelensky was confident: “International law will prevail here, on the soil of Ukraine: in the Donbass, in Azov, in Kherson and in Crimea.”
In the spring of 2014, Russia took control of the Crimean peninsula, which belongs to Ukraine. The first armed clashes between supporters of the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian demonstrators on 26 February 2014 eventually led to military intervention by Russia. A controlled referendum on joining the Russian Federation led to Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in March.
International Crimean platform calls on Moscow to withdraw
On the anniversary of the occupation, the International Crimean Platform again demanded the withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine. In a statement published Sunday, platform participants reiterated their support for Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and condemned “Russia’s unprovoked aggression”. At the same time, they again declared illegal the annexation of Crimea and the other parts of Ukraine that have since been annexed by Moscow.
The Crimea platform was launched in 2021 by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to diplomatically reverse Russia’s annexation of the Black Sea peninsula if possible. The campaign is supported by more than 40 countries and NATO and the EU are also involved.
Kiev: Fronts unchanged despite Russian attacks
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the fighting situation along the front sections in eastern Ukraine has not changed recently. Although Russian forces attacked at various points with air and artillery support, they were unable to break through, the General Staff said. As in the days before, the heaviest fighting was fought at Kupyansk, Bakhmut, Limansk, Avdiivka and Shakhtarsk. The absolute focus was again the town of Bachmut, which had been fought over for weeks. There, a series of Russian attacks on smaller suburbs were repelled.
Air Force Chief: Ukraine needs more air defense systems
Despite many missiles and combat drones shot down by the Russian attackers, Ukraine still needs more anti-aircraft weapons, according to the air force chief. “More than 650 Russian cruise missiles and 610 Iranian-made kamikaze drones have been shot down since September alone,” Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk told a Ukrainian military affairs online portal on Sunday. The Russian attacks on critical infrastructure were aimed at “breaking the Ukrainian population and throwing it into the dark”.
By the end of the year, large parts of Ukraine had suffered repeated power and water failures as the anti-aircraft system was unable to fully destroy the majority of incoming missiles.
Oleschuk said Ukraine was “actively supported” by the West in terms of anti-aircraft fire with various weapons. But this is not enough. “We need more technologically advanced weapons that will help us quickly restore order to the sky and rid it of the presence of terrorists.” The general immediately added a wish list to his words: “Modern multi-purpose aircraft and medium- and long-range anti-aircraft missile systems, and in large numbers”.
White House: Ukraine currently needs Leopard tanks, not Abrams
According to the White House, US President Joe Biden approved the delivery of Abram’s main battle tanks to Ukraine only at the instigation of the German government. “He initially decided not to send them because his military said they weren’t useful on the battlefield in this battle,” Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan told ABC on Sunday. In the interest of “unity of the alliance” and “to make sure Ukraine gets what it wants,” Biden agreed to the long-term supply of Abrams tanks. Chancellor Olaf Scholz had long hesitated to send German Leopard main battle tanks – until the US, in turn, agreed to provide Abrams tanks.
What will the day bring?
The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva will from Monday consider the Russian attack on Ukraine, in violation of international law, and human rights violations in Iran, Afghanistan and other countries. Reports of the systematic abduction of Ukrainian children to Russia, which Moscow dismisses as false reports, are likely to be discussed at the meeting. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
