Espreso. Global

"It was necessary to save soldiers' lives": Zelenskyy comments on Ukrainian troops’ withdrawal from Avdiivka

17 February, 2024 Saturday
13:39

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the decision to withdraw troops from Avdiivka and said it was the right one. According to him, it was necessary to save the lives of soldiers

client/title.list_title

Zelenskyy said this at the Munich Security Conference.

"In order not to be surrounded, it was decided to withdraw to other lines. This does not mean that Russia has captured anything. It has not captured anything. During the 2 years of war, Russia tried to do something in the east. They just destroyed a few small villages and towns. But the biggest thing they destroyed was our lives," the president said.

According to him, since October 2023, the occupying Russian forces have been trying to attack Avdiivka with all the weapons they had. However, thousands of Russian servicemen died as a result.

"Saving lives is the right decision, in my opinion. Then there will be recovery. We will wait for the appropriate weapons that were missing. I'm telling you quite frankly: there are no long-range weapons. Russia has them, but we have very few. Our main weapon today is our soldiers and people," the president added.

In addition, the Zelenskyy said that he could not name the Ukrainian losses in Avdiivka, but they were 1 to 7: "There are seven Russians for every Ukrainian."

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Monday
20 January
21:30
“Today is day of change”: Zelenskyy congratulates Trump on his inauguration
21:15
Ukraine receives military aid from Latvia, including drones, generators
20:59
Trump does not mention Ukraine in his inaugural address
20:38
Exclusive
Trump won’t betray Ukraine as it means his defeat – Chairman of Ukrainian American House
20:20
Exclusive
'Mixed expectations': Espreso journalist on EU reactions to Trump’s presidency
19:59
Exclusive
Military base for training Russia's new assault forces stretches from Mariupol to Berdiansk
19:38
Exclusive
Trump’s team likely to follow 'Kellogg's plan,' says political analyst
19:15
Ukraine cannot defend itself against missiles like Oreshnik. Why Patriot and even THAAD won't help?
18:51
Exclusive
Defense Express: Strikes in Kazan target key military facilities
18:30
What Trump will focus on in next 3 months – and it’s not about Ukraine
18:04
Putin says Russia open to dialogue with Trump administration
17:55
Exclusive
Lawyer clarifies mobilization rules for those over 50 in Ukraine
17:34
Locomotive supporting military logistics set on fire in St. Petersburg
17:15
OPINION
Trump tests new method of communication with Putin
16:56
Ukraine identifies Russian paratroopers behind Bucha massacre
16:35
Interview
“After constant control in captivity, all we want now is peace”: Azov soldier on returning from Russian captivity
16:15
Lyptsi: How Ukrainian forces turned Russia’s offensive into a “meat grinder”
15:56
Ukraine adapts to Russian drone upgrades with EW countermeasures
15:32
Latvia to ban Russians, Belarusians from critical infrastructure management roles
15:14
China’s crude oil imports from Russia hit record high in 2024
14:57
OPINION
Trump doesn’t ask — he demands. And not from God, but from the rest of the world
14:31
Exclusive
Trump has no plan for Ukraine war resolution, but there are outlines — Ukrainian politician
14:13
Ukraine’s strike on Kazan aircraft plant raises doubts over Russia’s production capabilities
13:52
Ukrainian Ministry of Justice restores all state registries after Russia’s cyberattack
13:31
Exclusive
Iran may backtrack on Moscow-Tehran 'strategic partnership' deal, says expert
13:15
Slovak mental health experts call for PM Fico’s resignation over recent behavior
12:57
Russian artillery shell use halved after strikes on military industry – Ukraine's top general
12:40
Zelenskyy shares footage of captured North Korean Soldier’s interrogation by SBU
12:19
Ukrainian forces regain positions in Kursk and Donetsk regions – DeepState
11:59
Russia launches disinformation campaign to influence German chancellor elections — analysts
11:45
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 8-15
Russian troops advance with heavy equipment: Ukraine reports escalation in Kurakhove sector
11:17
OPINION
Biden trap: cost of delayed decisions in Ukraine’s fight for survival
10:56
189 clashes at Russia-Ukraine frontline: Russian army loses 1,690 troops in one day
10:37
Moldova ready to support Transnistria financially after Russian troop withdrawal – Sandu
10:16
Russia imposes airport restrictions due to UAV threat in Tatarstan, explosions heard in Kazan
09:56
Russia repurposes submarine museum in Crimea for military use — guerrillas
09:35
Russia's army losses in Ukraine surpass 820,000 personnel
2025, Sunday
19 January
20:40
Exclusive
Russia advances in Donetsk, but not as quickly as desired – military observer
20:16
OPINION
Ukraine cannot remain a buffer gray area between democracy and dictatorship
19:47
125 clashes occur at front on Jan. 19: Ukrainian forces repel 11 attacks in Toretsk sector
More news