Vladimir Putin has confirmed that Russian forces have claimed “victory” in capturing the key city of Avdiivka which has been the scene of intense fighting for the past two years which has seen tens of thousands of troops from both sides slaughtered.
As a result of more Western delays this has helped Putin’s forces with “Russian advances” to capture the key city of Avdiivka, this has now fallen which has now given Moscow the upper hand.
Ukrainian forces withdrew from Avdiivka on Saturday and the Putin hailed the capture as an “important victory.”
The security services of Ukraine have opened a pre-trial investigation as eight unarmed Ukrainian prisoners of war were shot in Avdiivka.
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Ukrinform reported the security agency said, “The defenders were seriously injured and were waiting for evacuation.”
“An investigation into the shootings of unarmed Ukrainian prisoners of war in Avdiivka and Vesele has been launched,” the prosecutor’s office in Donetsk region said on its Telegram channel.
Former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned Europe “must rearm” regardless of whoever the next US president maybe.
Barnier said, “In each of our European countries and at EU level, we need to spend and invest more, and spend better by pooling our programmes and our research.
“We must avoid duplication and, at last, dare to adopt a genuine industrial policy for armaments. Buy European!
“We need a European defence capability that is autonomous and mutually supportive into the NATO framework, as envisaged in the Saint-Malo Declaration of 1998!”
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in an assessment that due to “delays in Western security assistance to Ukraine” this is helping Russian forces to be opportunistic in their offensives in various sectors on the frontlines.
The ISW said, “Delays in Western security assistance to Ukraine are likely helping Russia launch opportunistic offensive operations along several sectors of the front line in order to place pressure on Ukrainian forces.”
Units of the Third Separate Assault Brigade in Avdiivka were completely surrounded, but somehow were able to get out.
Major of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, deputy commander of the Third Assault Brigade Maksym Zhorin said, “Now we can say that for some time some units of the Third Assault in Avdiivka itself were completely surrounded, but were able to get out.
“Some katsap [Russians’] channels write that there are fighters who are still on the territory of Avdiivka coking plant – I can say that there is not a single one left there our fighter.
“Basically, there is nothing left there except a few dilapidated basement.”
Zhorin said “almost half of all UABs that fell on our heads in Avdiivka fell on the territory of the coking plant.”
Russian forces have gained 9km after capturing Avdiivka and have taken control of the coke plant, this is the largest gain for Putin in many months.
The Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement, “The ‘Centre’ grouping of troops, taking the offensive, took full control of the coke plant in Avdiivka.”
They added at the coke plant “Russian flags were hoisted on the administrative buildings of the plant.”
The Russian Ministry said Avdiivka was a “powerful defensive hub” for Kyiv’s forces and the capture of the eastern city will “move the front line away from Donetsk [city],” therefore reducing Kyiv’s ability to target Russia’s stronghold.
Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov told news agencies, “The President congratulated our military and fighters on such an important victory, on such a success.”
Days after being appointed in charge of the Ukrainian military, Oleksandr Syrskii said on Saturday, “I decided to withdraw our units from the town and move to defence from more favourable lines in order to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of servicemen.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, pulling out troops “was a professional decision that will save many Ukrainian lives.”
“Our actions are limited only by the sufficiency and length of range of our strength,” he added, whilst pointing to the situation in Avdiivka.
