The order from the commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Alexander Syrsky, to leave Avdiivka was issued significantly later than when Ukrainian soldiers fled Avdiivka. This was reported by the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov, as relayed by TASS.
“He ordered the troops to leave the city only a day after the uncontrolled retreat of the Ukrainian forces began,” he said.
After the report of the Russian Minister of Defense, Sergei Shoigu, on the capture of Avdiivka, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the military on their success. According to the press secretary of the head of state, Dmitry Peskov, Putin called it an “important victory.”
On Saturday, February 17, the flag of Russia appeared over the administration building in Avdiivka.
The previous day, a video appeared showing a wounded Ukrainian soldier abandoned near Avdiivka.
Earlier, the withdrawal of troops from Avdiivka was referred to as a difficult task in Ukraine.
Context:
Avdiivka, a town in eastern Ukraine, has been a site of intense fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists since the beginning of the conflict in 2014. The recent order for Ukrainian troops to leave Avdiivka came after a period of heavy shelling and attacks by separatist forces, causing Ukrainian soldiers to retreat. The Russian government, led by President Vladimir Putin, has been accused of supporting and arming the separatists in eastern Ukraine. The situation in Avdiivka is seen as a critical indicator of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
