On the Eve of a New Round of Trilateral Talks, Russian and Ukrainian Forces Continue to Strike Each Other
Xinhua News Agency, Moscow/Kiev, February 17 - A new round of trilateral talks between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine will begin in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 17th. Both Russia and Ukraine claimed that the other side launched strikes on the eve of the talks. The emergency command center of the Krasnodar Krai in southwestern Russia reported on the 17th that multiple locations in the region were attacked by drones from the night of the 16th to the early morning of the 17th, with a refinery being hit and a local fire breaking out, resulting in 2 injuries. Ukrainian President Zelensky stated on the 17th that Russia launched a large-scale attack aimed at severely damaging Ukraine's energy facilities.
The emergency command center of Krasnodar Krai reported on the 17th that all incoming enemy drones were shot down by air defense fire. This round of attacks caused a partial fire at the Ilyisky refinery in the western part of the region, and debris from the downed drones fell in the village of Ilyisky, damaging 4 residential houses and injuring 2 people.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the 17th that Russian forces captured 3 villages controlled by Ukraine on the 16th and destroyed multiple logistics supply facilities used by the Ukrainian military with various weapons.
Zelensky posted on social media on the 17th that Russia carried out a large-scale joint strike operation aimed at destroying Ukraine's energy facilities as much as possible. The Russian military used nearly 400 drones and 29 various missiles, including ballistic missiles. This attack affected 12 Ukrainian regions, with 9 confirmed injuries. He called on partner countries to increase sanctions against Russia and continue providing military support to Ukraine.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on the 17th that Ukrainian and Russian forces engaged in 201 battles on the 16th. The Russian military launched a total of 2 missile attacks, used 5 rockets, conducted 81 airstrikes, and dropped 200 guided bombs. In addition, the Russian military also carried out 2306 attacks on Ukrainian positions and residential areas using suicide drones.
Since January this year, representatives from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine have held two rounds of talks in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, reaching some consensus on issues such as the exchange of captured personnel. Meanwhile, the Russian and Ukrainian militaries continue to engage in combat in certain areas on the front lines and carry out long-range strikes against each other.
Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukrainian energy facilities on February 16-17, 2023, using 400 drones and 29 missiles, resulting in 9 injuries. Ukrainian forces reported mutual engagements with Russian troops, including the capture of three villages by Russia. The attacks prompted calls from Ukrainian President Zelensky for increased sanctions against Russia and continued military support from allies.
- Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukrainian energy facilities using 400 drones and 29 missiles.
- Ukraine reported 9 injuries from the attacks.
- Russian forces captured three villages controlled by Ukraine on February 16.
- Both sides engaged in 201 mutual attacks on February 16.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky called for increased sanctions against Russia.