DIRECT. War in Ukraine: fierce fighting is underway for control of Vougledar, in the east of the country

Ukrainian troops are engaged in a confrontation “fierce” with Russian forces. The latter are trying to seize Vougledar, a small town located southwest of Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine. “Soon Vougledar could become a very important new success for us”, said Friday, January 27 Denis Pushilin, head of the Donetsk region appointed by Moscow. Both sides have claimed victory, but the city remains contested, according to Kyiv. Follow our live.

> What to remember from the day of January 27

Attacks intensified in the east. Ukraine said this week that outnumbered Russian troops had stepped up their attacks in the east, particularly on Vougledar and Bakhmout, the latter of which had been their target for months. And a new Russian offensive is being prepared for February 24, a year to the day after Russia invaded Ukraine, assured Oleksii Danilov, secretary of the Council for Defense and National Security of Ukraine.

Zelenski thanks Poland. In this context, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the decision announced by Poland to deliver to his country 60 additional tanks, half of which will be a modernized version of the Soviet T-72, after the 14 German-made Leopard 2s already promised. At the same time, the Belgian government has undertaken to grant Ukraine new funding, in particular for the supply of missiles, machine guns, ammunition and armored vehicles.

“I will continue to talk to Russia”, assured the French president on Friday. “Some, in other times, have been able to reproach me for speaking to Russia and I will continue”, did he declare. Emmanuel Macron is one of the few Western heads of state to have kept in touch with Vladimir Putin after Russia invaded Ukraine. “All our countries have a position to hold, that of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity (…) whatever the friendships, the alliances that we can nurture”added the French president.