Ukraine Withdraws Troops from Besieged Town of Avdiivka Amid Russian Advance
The town of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine has been under siege by Russian forces for months. However, Ukraine has made the difficult decision to withdraw its troops from the town in order to save their lives. President Volodymyr Zelensky explained that the withdrawal was necessary due to the lack of ammunition caused by political issues in the United States, Ukraine’s main supplier.
Russia’s defense ministry has claimed “full control” over Avdiivka, with President Vladimir Putin celebrating it as a significant victory. The fall of Avdiivka marks Russia’s most substantial gain in months. The town has been almost completely destroyed, and the majority of its pre-war population of over 30,000 people have fled.
The shortage of ammunition in Ukraine is primarily due to political squabbling in the US. President Joe Biden attributed Ukraine’s withdrawal from Avdiivka to congressional inaction over a crucial foreign aid package, which includes funding for Ukraine. President Biden reassured President Zelensky of America’s unwavering support during a phone call.
President Zelensky addressed the Munich security conference, urging Western countries to assist Ukraine in defeating “the monster” that is President Putin. He warned that if the Western world does not stand up to Putin, he will make the next few years “catastrophic” for many more countries like Ukraine. President Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Avdiivka has been a battleground town since 2014 when Russian-backed fighters seized control of large portions of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The fall of Avdiivka is the most significant change on the front line, spanning over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), since Russian troops captured the nearby town of Bakhmut in May 2023.
General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the head of the armed forces, announced the decision to withdraw, stating that it was necessary to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of service personnel. He praised the soldiers for their efforts in destroying Russian military units and inflicting significant losses on the enemy. Ukrainian troops are now working to stabilize the situation and maintain their positions from pre-prepared locations.
The US National Security Council spokesman, Admiral John Kirby, had previously warned that Ukrainian forces were running out of artillery ammunition. He explained that Russia was sending conscript forces to attack Ukrainian positions continuously. However, due to the failure of Congress to pass the supplemental bill, the US has been unable to provide Ukraine with the necessary artillery shells to disrupt these Russian assaults.
The US Senate recently approved a $95 billion foreign aid package, including $60 billion for Ukraine. However, it still faces challenges in the House of Representatives. Ukraine heavily relies on weapons supplies from the US and other Western allies to combat Russia, which has a much larger military force and an abundance of artillery ammunition.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed concern over the US’s failure to approve continued military assistance to Ukraine, stating that it was already impacting the battlefield.
In conclusion, Ukraine’s withdrawal from Avdiivka marks a significant victory for Russia and a devastating blow for Ukraine. The town has been left in ruins, and its population has been forced to flee. The shortage of ammunition has been a major factor in Ukraine’s decision to withdraw, with political issues in the US hindering the supply of necessary weapons. President Zelensky has called on Western countries to support Ukraine in its fight against President Putin, warning of dire consequences if action is not taken. The situation in Ukraine remains precarious, with the international community closely watching as events unfold.