The Ukrainian city of Avdiivka has been fully taken over by the Russian troops which is a quite significant development since Bakhmut city was taken in May.
The Defence Ministry authorities of Russia declared it as a success of the operation. President Vladimir Putin complimented the soldiers and described the outcome as a success and an important victory.
The takeover is just done days before the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
At the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant, soldiers were attempting to eliminate the last pockets of resistance, according to a report from Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to the Kremlin. Social media videos showed soldiers hoisting the Russian flag over an industrial facility, highlighting Moscow's strategic victory in the area.
Addressing the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes the difficulties his country’s armed forces facing and blames the withdrawal of outnumbered troops from Avdiivka because of a shortage of ammunition. He further stressed the Western alliance to increase the armed supplies, expressing hope that the United States Congress that they would make a wise decision to support Ukraine.
Avdiivka, which was formerly a bustling metropolis of over 30,000 people, is now mostly ruined and home to little over 1,000 people. Because of its location to north of Donetsk, the city is strategically significant, and its capture might give Russia control over the two provinces that make up the industrial Donbas area.
In a telegram, President Putin honored the recently deceased troops "Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in fulfilling the tasks of the special military operation.
But the White House attributed Russian successes to the pullout, saying "decreasing supplies as a result of congressional inaction." While noting the challenges encountered by Ukrainian soldiers, President Joe Biden affirmed US support for Ukraine during a phone conversation with Zelenskyy.
