Fierce clashes and street battles continue between Russian and Ukrainian forces. The Russian military is trying to establish control over Ukrainian territories while Kyiv receives logistical and military support from the West in its fight against "the Russian bear," amidst Chinese efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict and prevent it from "getting out of control." The Russian Defense Ministry reported the downing of three Ukrainian fighter jets in Kherson and Donetsk, as well as the destruction of eight drones in various areas. Russian forces have made advances on all fronts, resulting in the elimination of over 450 soldiers. Additionally, two ammunition depots belonging to Ukrainian forces were destroyed in Oglidar in the Donetsk People's Republic and Malinovka in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the latest developments on the battlefield, Wagner forces are reported to be engaged in combat in the northern part of Bakhmut after capturing the town of Berkhivka, north of the city. Russian forces have advanced towards the towns of Arykhova and Dubava, and they control hills and elevations around the town of Yahdnaia in the northwestern axis of the city, which is close to the highway leading to the city of Chasiv Yar west of Bakhmut, amidst fierce fighting in all those towns and their surroundings.
Simultaneously, the Chinese foreign ministry published a 12-point document outlining Beijing's stance on a political settlement for the Ukrainian crisis. The document called for an immediate halt to fighting and the initiation of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. It emphasized several principles, including the necessity to abandon a Cold War mentality, the illegitimacy of achieving national security at the expense of other countries' security, and ensuring regional security by strengthening or even expanding military blocs.
U.S. President Joe Biden stated that the proposed Chinese peace plan for Ukraine contains nothing that would benefit anyone other than Russia. In an interview with ABC News, Biden mentioned that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky does not currently need F-16 fighter jets, ruling out the sending of such aircraft to Ukraine at this time.
In parallel, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his government has decided to send four more Leopard 2 tanks to Ukrainian forces. Trudeau stated, "In January, Canadian authorities announced that they would transfer four Leopard 2 tanks, which are budgeted for by the country's Ministry of Defense," adding, "We will send four additional Leopard 2 tanks, along with an armored vehicle to the Ukrainian armed forces... Canada will also send 5,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine."
One year after the start of the Russian military operation, Ukraine confirmed that it "will do everything to achieve victory this year." Volodymyr Zelensky set the goal of defeating Moscow "this year." He said at a press conference: "If our partners fulfill their promises and meet deadlines, then a certain victory awaits us... I really want that to happen this year."
For his part, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov announced that Ukraine is preparing a counter-offensive. Reznikov wrote on Facebook: "We will launch stronger and farther strikes, in the air, on land, at sea, and in the virtual space. There will be a counter-offensive. We are working hard to prepare for it."
In Moscow, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also stated that Moscow "will win" in Ukraine, confirming that his country is ready to advance "up to the borders of Poland."
Furthermore, three major countries, namely the UK, Germany, and France, are considering a defense agreement between Ukraine and NATO following the conclusion of the conflict in Ukraine, according to the Wall Street Journal. According to the paper, under the terms of the agreement, Ukrainian authorities would have greater access to modern military equipment, weapons, and ammunition. The newspaper notes that this move is designed to urge Kyiv to negotiate with Russia. Kyiv had previously proposed the formation of a group of countries that would be legally committed to ensuring Ukraine's security as an alternative to joining NATO. Last September, Zelensky's office published a draft of this document, while also not abandoning its intention for the country to join the alliance.
