On the night of 16 February, Russia launched new air strikes, mainly in the western and the north-eastern parts of Ukraine. 32 cruise missiles were launched from strategic bombers and warships in the Black Sea. The Russian forces also launched Iranian-made kamikaze drones. The Ukrainian authorities reported that they had shot down 16 missiles. The rest caused damage to infrastructure.

"Russia has amassed 97% of its army in Ukraine. Their combat effectiveness depleted by 40%", U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said.

"We have to ensure that this spring it is truly felt that Ukraine is moving towards victory", Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his traditional nightly address, UNIAN agency reported. 

"Russian President Vladimir Putin won't stop if we don't stop him", Poland’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Paweł Jabłoński said for CNN, drawing attention to the ammunition shortage in Ukraine. We should not rule out any option, Paweł Jabłoński said in response to the question whether Poland would deliver fighter aircraft to Ukraine.