The Russian army is conducting a cleanup operation in the occupied positions in Avdiivka, according to Yan Gagin, an advisor to the leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Denis Pushilin. Gagin emphasized that part of Avdiivka is occupied by Russian forces and that the advancement of troops is ongoing. He also noted that there are still pockets of resistance remaining. Gagin added that these Ukrainian soldiers may not have known they could retreat due to a lack of communication.
“We are clearing the part of the city that is under our control and continue to advance,” Gagin said, specifying that Russian fighters are already pushing deeper into the urban area.
Prior to this, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense, stated that the order from the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Alexander Syrsky, to leave Avdiivka was issued significantly later than when Ukrainian soldiers fled from the town.
On Saturday, February 17, a Russian flag was raised over the administration building in Avdiivka.
Previously, the withdrawal of troops from Avdiivka was described as a challenging task in Ukraine.
