In a significant development in the protracted conflict in eastern Ukraine, Russia has declared full control over the city of Avdiivka after a grueling four-month battle, as Ukrainian forces withdrew to avoid encirclement. This move by Moscow is seen as a morale booster ahead of the second anniversary of its invasion and a looming presidential election, which President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to win, solidifying his rule for another six-year term.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced the capture with videos on social media showing Russian soldiers hoisting their flag over the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant. Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded the capture as an “important victory” and congratulated his military. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the capture as significant, while Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu informed Putin that the city would be cleared of remaining pockets of resistance.
In the face of overwhelming Russian firepower and the need to preserve the lives of its soldiers, Ukraine’s military chief, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated the decision was necessary to retreat to “more favorable lines.” This was the first major test for Syrskyi since his appointment as Ukraine’s new army chief, and he emphasized that the Ukrainian soldiers “performed their military duty with dignity” and inflicted significant losses on the Russians.
On the ground in Avdiivka, the situation for Ukrainian forces had become dire. Rodion Kudriashov, deputy commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade, described how Ukrainian troops held out against an onslaught of approximately 15,000 Russian soldiers but expected the situation to “soon become critical.” The brigade’s social media accounts reported that Russian warplanes were conducting around 60 bombings a day, shelling the area and launching assaults with armor and infantry. “The enemy is trying to penetrate our defense and in some places to bypass our positions,” he told The Associated Press.
The capture of Avdiivka serves Moscow a potentially useful strategic advantage, as the city was a powerful defensive hub for Ukraine’s armed forces. The defense ministry claimed that its capture would reduce Ukraine’s ability to shell the Russian stronghold of Donetsk city.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, highlighted the challenges Ukraine faces due to an “artificial deficit” of arms, warning that such a deficit allows Putin to adjust to the current intensity of the war. He also pointed to an urgent need for additional funding from Ukraine’s allies, as President Joe Biden acknowledged concerns over more U.S. aid arriving before further territorial losses. “Our actions are limited only by … our strength,” Zelenskyy said, pointing to the situation in Avdiivka after the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces said he was withdrawing troops from the city to prevent their encirclement and to save soldiers’ lives.
While Russia has portrayed the capture of Avdiivka as a substantial triumph, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, offered a more nuanced perspective, noting that the event is more symbolic and would not lead to significant changes along the front line. The think tank suggested that Russian forces would be unlikely to make rapid, operationally significant advances from Avdiivka and that any gains would likely be limited.
Relevant articles:
– Russia takes control of the city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine after Ukrainian troops withdraw
– Russia claims capture of Avdiivka after Ukraine withdraws from key city, Al Jazeera English, Sat, 17 Feb 2024 20:17:18 GMT
– Ukraine’s forces withdraw from key eastern town of Avdiivka after months of fighting, CNN, Sun, 18 Feb 2024 01:31:00 GMT
– Ukraine to withdraw from Avdiivka, where outnumbered defenders held out for 4 months, PBS NewsHour, Sat, 17 Feb 2024 01:41:03 GMT