Russia declared on Sunday that it had gained full control of the town of Avdiivka in Ukraine, marking its biggest advance since capturing Bakhmut in 2023. The Russian defense ministry stated that its troops had moved 8.6km on the 1,000km front line. President Putin hailed the victory and congratulated Russian troops, while Ukrainian forces withdrew their soldiers to prevent being fully surrounded.
After Ukraine failed to break through Russian lines last year, Moscow has been attempting to wear down Ukrainian forces while Kyiv contemplates a major mobilization and President Zelensky appoints a new commander. The fall of Avdiivka is significant for Russia’s aim of securing control of the industrial Donbas region.
US President Biden warned of ammunition shortages and the potential fall of Avdiivka to Russian forces, urging Congress to pass a new military aid package for Ukraine. Zelensky, speaking at a global security conference, called for help to address the shortage of weapons and praised his troops for fatiguing Russian forces.
The capture of Avdiivka is expected to boost morale for Russia and strengthen its hold on the regional center of Donetsk, which has been held by Russian and pro-Russian forces since 2014. Putin congratulated the Russian commander in charge of the assault on Avdiivka, Colonel-General Andrei Mordvichev.