Kyiv announced the withdrawal of positions near Avdiivka and the capture of several troops by the Russians

Avdiivka fall soon? Ukraine’s army announced on Friday 16 February that it had withdrawn “with little loss” But the troops took prisoners from positions held south of the eastern city of Avdivka, where the situation has worsened in recent days. “The decision to withdraw was taken to save personnel and improve operational conditions,” Ukrainian General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, who commanded the area, wrote in a telegram.

Ukraine is at risk of abandoning the region, which is now largely destroyed, especially as it faces a growing shortage of resources due to the blocking of American military aid, while Russia, which has more men and ammunition, can hope for victory. . On February 24, days before the second anniversary of the start of the invasion. In this case, it would be Russia’s biggest symbolic victory since the failure of Kiev’s counter-offensive last summer.

According to Kiev, the Russian military has been mounting offensive waves to capture the industrial city since October, despite heavy casualties, a situation reminiscent of the Battle of Bakhmaut, which Moscow captured in May 2023 after 10 months of fighting. Cost thousands of deaths and injuries.