On Saturday, Russia “completely” took control of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine, according to what the Russian Ministry of Defense reported. This comes after Kiev announced the withdrawal of its forces from this industrial city, where battles took place for several months. President Vladimir Putin congratulated his army on achieving an “important victory.”
Published on: 02/17/2024 – 22:06
2 minutes
The Russian Ministry of Defense said on Saturday that Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine had been “fully controlled” after Kiev announced the withdrawal of its forces from this industrial city, which had been the center of battles for months.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that Minister Sergei Shoigu informed President Vladimir Putin on Saturday in the Kremlin of control of this city, which was “a strong defensive position for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”
Shoigu explained that Russian forces took control of 31.75 square kilometers in Avdiivka, most of which was destroyed and where Ukrainian soldiers established strong defenses.
The Russian minister stressed that despite Kiev’s announcement of withdrawing its forces from the city, only “a few scattered formations” were able to do so “under continuous fire from Russian forces, leaving behind weapons and military equipment.”
He added that Russian forces are currently “finally clearing the city” of Ukrainian soldiers and “blocking the way” for Ukrainian units who took refuge in a factory in the city.
Shoigu also pointed out that controlling Avdiivka allows Ukrainian artillery to be “removed” from Donetsk, a stronghold of pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine since 2014, which has been subjected to continuous bombardment.
The Ukrainian army withdrew from Avdiivka after months of violent battles and in light of a shortage of weapons and ammunition, despite an attempt to send reinforcements to the city’s garrison.
The Ukrainian army reported that Russian forces captured many of its soldiers during their withdrawal from the city.
Putin congratulates his army on achieving an “important victory”
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday congratulated his army on the “important victory” represented by controlling the city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine, which for months had been a center of battles.
Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to what was reported by Russian news agencies, “Vladimir Putin listened in the Kremlin to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s report on the control of Avdiivka. The president congratulated our soldiers and fighters on this important victory.”
France 24/AFP
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2024-02-17 21:06:41
