Advisor to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Igor Kimakovskiy, has stated that Ukrainian forces have deployed air defense systems near Avdiivka. This was reported by TASS.
“Among the samples are both Soviet anti-aircraft missile complexes and several American Patriot calculations,” said Kimakovskiy.
The advisor to the head of the DPR noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to hastily form a defensive line a few kilometers from the city.
On February 17, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to the country’s president, Vladimir Putin, on the capture of the settlement of Avdiivka. The Russian Ministry of Defense noted that this city was a powerful defensive hub for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to the department’s data, the losses of the Ukrainian side amounted to more than 1,500 servicemen within the past day. However, separate scattered units managed to hastily leave Avdiivka, leaving behind weapons and military equipment.
Prior to this, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov explained the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Avdiivka in his social media accounts due to a lack of certain weapons.
Earlier in Ukraine, the withdrawal of troops from Avdiivka was called a difficult task.
