Ukraine: Russia Claimed its forces took complete control Saturday of a city in eastern Ukraine that was the focus of intense combat for months.
Avdiivka was a “powerful defensive hub” for Ukraine’s armed forces and its capture would “move the front line away from Donetsk [city],” reducing Ukraine’s ability to shell the Russian stronghold, the defence ministry said.
Ukrainian troops earlier withdrew from Avdiivka, the new army chief announced, after months of heavy fighting and little progress in repelling Russian forces on the country’s eastern front.
The battle for the industrial hub, less than 10km (six miles) north of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk, has been one of the bloodiest of the two-year war.
According to the sources Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a personal message of congratulating to his troops in the city. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described Avdiivka’s capture as an “important victory.”
