Russia said its forces on Saturday took control of the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, which has been the center of intense fighting for months. This capture by Russian troops was hailed by Vladimir Putin as “an important victory”.
The Russian Defense Ministry’s announcement came the same day Ukraine’s military chief said he was withdrawing troops from the town of Avdiivka. Ukrainian troops fought against the Russian onslaught for four months.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told the Kremlin that Russian forces were working to eliminate the last pockets of resistance at the Avdiivka coke and chemical plant. Videos posted on social media on Saturday appear to show soldiers raising the Russian flag on one of the factory buildings.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a personal message of congratulations to his troops in the city, state news agency Tass reported. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the capture of Avdiivka “important victory.
US financial aid blocked
President Joe Biden said he told Mr. Zelenskyy during their telephone conversation on Saturday that he remained confident that Congress would eventually approve additional funding for Ukraine. But when asked if he was confident the United States would release additional funds before Ukraine loses more territory, Mr. Biden said: “I’m not”.
“Ukrainians fought so courageouslyMr. Biden said, “There’s so much at stake. The idea, when they’re running out of ammunition, that we’re going to pull out, I find absurd,” he said.
White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson called the withdrawal a “cost of congressional inaction”.
A deadlocked war
In a short statement posted on Facebook, Lieutenant General Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukrainian troops were moving towards “more favorable lines.”
“Our soldiers performed their military duty with dignity, did everything possible to destroy the best Russian military units, inflicted significant losses on the enemy in terms of manpower and equipment.
“We are taking measures to stabilize the situation and maintain our positions“, the press release said.
The withdrawal was Mr Syrskyi’s first major test since his appointment this month as Ukraine’s new army chief.
In his previous role as commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, he was criticized for holding the town of Bakhmut for nine months, a siege that became the longest and bloodiest battle of the war and cost dear to Ukraine, but which also served to weaken Russia’s forces. In recent days, there have been reports of a deterioration in the situation for Ukrainian troops in Avdiivka.
Rodion Kudriashov, deputy commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade, said Friday that Ukrainian troops were still resisting the onslaught of about 15,000 Russian troops, but that he expected the situation “soon becomes critical”.
“The enemy is trying to penetrate our defense and, in some places, bypass our positions” he told the Associated Press.
The ruined town of Avdiivka
Heavily fortified by a network of tunnels and concrete fortifications, Avdiivka lies on the northern outskirts of Donetsk, a town in a region of the same name that Russian forces partially occupy. The capture of Avdiivka could be a timely capture for Moscow and serve as a springboard for Russia to advance in the region.
According to the governor of the Donetsk region, Vadym Filashkin, there are less than 1,000 inhabitants left in the city, it had around 31,000 inhabitants before the war, today is only an empty shell of what it was. she was.
Aerial images of Avdiivka obtained by The Associated Press in December showing an apocalyptic scene hinted at Russia’s considerable losses, with the bodies of around 150 soldiers – most wearing Russian uniforms – strewn along the lines. trees where they sought shelter.
However, the Institute for the Study of Wara Washington think tank, said Thursday that the capture of Avdiivka would be more of a symbolic victory for the Kremlin and would not bring significant changes to the 1,500-kilometer front line that has barely moved in recent years. last months.
“The potential Russian capture of Avdiivka would not be operationally significant and would likely only provide the Kremlin with immediate informational and political victories.” the institute said in an assessment.
“_Russian forces are very unlikely to quickly make operationally significant advances from Avdiivka if they seize the town, and the potential Russian capture of Avdiivka would at most create the necessary conditions to other limited tactical gains”.