Russia claims “total control” of Avdiïvka, Vladimir Putin hails an “important victory”

Russia claimed, on Saturday February 17, the “Total control” from the town of Avdiïvka. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu informed Vladimir Putin of the conquest of this industrial city in eastern Ukraine which was “a powerful defensive node of the Ukrainian armed forces”reports the ministry. “The president congratulated our soldiers and our fighters for this important victory”according to the Kremlin spokesperson, cited by Russian news agencies.

The Ukrainian army announced on the night of Friday to Saturday its withdrawal from Avdiïvka after months of heavy fighting and intensification of Russian attacks with a view to seizing this largely ruined city. The Ukrainian president expressed a “fair decision” destined to “save as many lives as possible”. “In order to avoid being surrounded, it was decided to withdraw to other lines”added Volodymyr Zelensky.

Faced with a growing lack of resources due in particular to the blocking of American military aid, Ukraine could hardly avoid this withdrawal in the face of Russia which was pushing its troops, more numerous and with more ammunition, to achieve military success. a few days before the second anniversary of the start of the invasion, February 24. In a telephone conversation on Saturday with his Ukrainian counterpart, the American president criticized the“congressional inaction” American, while reiterating “the commitment of the United States to continue to support Ukraine”.