Russia claims full control of frontline city Avdiivka
- 18 February, 00:14
Russian troops have established full control of Ukraine’s eastern Avdiivka city and advanced 8.6 km in the section of the frontline, Russian Defence Ministry reported on Sunday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Avdiivka’s capture as an important victory. “The head of state congratulated Russian soldiers on this success, an important victory,” the Kremlin said in a statement on its website.
The fall of embattled Avdiivka city comes after months of Russian offensive and amounts to Russia’s biggest victory since capture of Bakhmut city in 2023.
Earlier on Saturday, Ukraine said its troops were withdrawing from Avdiivka. Addressing Munich Security Council on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksiy said that it was decided to withdraw to other lines, stressing that “The ability to save our people is the most important task for us.” Previously, the recently appointed Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that he had made the decision to remove their military units from the city and transition to a defensive stance along more advantageous positions.
Ukraine has been facing mounting pressure in the east due to shortage of ammunition. Speaking at the Munich Confere Volodymyr Zelenskiy made a plea for more Western arms supplies as his troops were retreating from Avdiivka.
“Keeping Ukraine in the artificial deficit of weapons, particularly in deficit of artillery and long-range capabilities, allows Putin to adapt to the current intensity of the war,” he said.
