Military Command must act to minimize losses - Zelenskyy on situation in Avdiivka

He said this during a meeting with journalists in Berlin following talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the presidential press service reports.

"We remember what Russia is doing to our towns and villages. They will not rest until they have completely destroyed all life there. Our people, our military, are heroically defending strategic things, logistical routes that can lead the enemy to advance," Zelenskyy stated.

He stressed that he was in constant contact with the military leadership and was informed in detail about the current situation in Avdiivka.

"I will not say what new approaches they are using. Their task is to do everything to protect our people first and foremost. And this is the main message from me. Our military is the most important thing we have. This is our main weapon," Zelenskyy said.

"First of all, we need to make sure that we get by with less losses. Our military is the most important thing. This is the signal the leadership receives from me. And there are professional people on the battlefield, they know what to do," he added.

• Oleksandr Borodin, a spokesman for the Third Assault Brigade, which was redeployed to this area, said the situation in Avdiivka is critical: Russian enemy has started using phosphorus munitions and aerial bombs regularly. Rodion Kudryashov, deputy commander of the 3rd Separate Mechanised Brigade, said that the soldiers were completely surrounded by the enemy in one of the areas in Avdiivka.
• On 16 February, the command of the Tauride operational and strategic grouping of troops decided to withdraw Ukrainian troops from the Zenit position on the southeastern outskirts of Avdiivka. 
• On 16 February, the Third Assault Brigade stated that there were at least 15,000 Russian army personnel on frontline in Avdiivka. However, Russian occupation forces are suffering disproportionate losses.