A view shows an area near the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant in the town of Avdiivka in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, as seen from Yasynuvata (Yasinovataya) in the Donetsk region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, February 15, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko
In the early hours of Saturday, Ukrainian troops executed a withdrawal from the heavily damaged eastern town of Avdiivka, according to statements from Ukraine’s newly appointed army chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi. This maneuver, amidst protracted battles and dwindling ammunition supplies due to delays in U.S. military aid, aimed to prevent Ukrainian forces from becoming encircled by advancing Russian troops.
General Syrskyi stated that the decision to withdraw Ukrainian units from Avdiivka was made to relocate them to more defensible positions outside the town, thus safeguarding the lives and well-being of servicemen. Avdiivka, with a pre-war population of 32,000, has been a focal point of intense conflict since Russia’s full-scale invasion began almost two years ago.
The loss of Avdiivka, a strategic town in the industrial Donbas region, may bolster Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s appeal to Western nations for expedited military assistance. President Zelenskiy is expected to address the urgency of this matter during his participation in the Munich Security Conference.
U.S. President Joe Biden had recently cautioned about the risk of Avdiivka falling to Russian forces due to ammunition shortages exacerbated by delays in U.S. military aid, amid opposition from Republican quarters in Congress. Capturing Avdiivka aligns with Russia’s strategic objective of asserting control over the Donbas region, potentially granting President Vladimir Putin a battlefield triumph ahead of his upcoming re-election bid.
The situation in Avdiivka has intensified since October, with Russian forces escalating their offensive, placing Ukrainian positions under increasing pressure. The arrival of the Third Assault Brigade, a prominent Ukrainian infantry unit, underscored the severity of the situation as Ukrainian forces faced daunting odds against the advancing Russian troops.
While specific details regarding casualties and losses incurred by Russian forces remain undisclosed, Ukrainian authorities and Western military analysts have indicated substantial human and material costs endured during the protracted conflict for control over Avdiivka.
The town, now inhabited by fewer than 1,000 residents, is situated north of Donetsk, a stronghold held by Russian-backed separatists since 2014. Avdiivka’s significance lies not only in its strategic location but also in its industrial infrastructure, particularly the coking plant, which has ceased operations due to the enduring conflict.
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