Sputnik correspondent in Donbass, Russel Bentley, reflects on the meaning of the Defender of the Fatherland Day amid the ongoing Russian special military operation in Ukraine.
Europe News: President Vladimir Putin hails the 'authentic heroes' fighting in Ukraine on the eve of the second anniversary of the offensive. Russia marks its patriotic holiday, Defender of the Fatherland Day, with military pomp and Kremlin-sponsored patriotism. Putin mocks the 'chaotic flight' of Ukrainian soldiers from Avdiivka and touts a 'turning point' in Ukraine. Ukraine is weakened by the blocking of US aid and ammunition shortages.
Dmytro Lykhovii, the spokesman for the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group, said that the Russian military is probably trying to achieve some success on the Avdiivka front before 23 and 24 February, the Russian Defender of the Fatherland Day and the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion, respectively.