Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the key battle town of Avdiivka in the east of the country, which could pave the way for a Russian advance as the war approaches its second anniversary.
The withdrawal, announced as Ukraine faces acute ammunition shortages and US military aid has been delayed for months in Congress, was aimed at sparing troops from being completely encircled by Russian forces after months of fierce fighting, Kiev said.
Most of the pre-war population of 32,000 people have already left the city and the city is almost completely destroyed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (second from left) looks at a map during his visit to Ukraine's 110th Mechanized Brigade in Avdiivka, the scene of fierce fighting with Russian troops in Donetsk region, Ukraine, December 29, 2023. (Press Office of the Ukrainian President via AP)
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Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, who took command of Ukraine's military last week in a major shakeup, announced the withdrawal as a tactical move to save the lives of troops in a city that has been under intense attack for months.
“I have decided to withdraw our units from the city and go into defense from more advantageous lines in order to avoid encirclement and protect the life and health of the soldiers.”
“Our soldiers fulfilled their military duty with dignity, did everything to destroy the best Russian military units and inflicted significant losses on the enemy in manpower and equipment,” he said.
Russia stepped up its offensive on Avdiivka in October and the situation in Ukraine appeared to have become increasingly tense for weeks.
The Third Assault Brigade, a prominent Ukrainian infantry assault unit, was sent to the city this week to help reinforce troops as other Ukrainian forces withdrew from the southeast of the city. The unit described the fighting as “hell” and said on social media that Ukrainian defenders were outnumbered by Russian forces by about six to 100 in some places.
Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the key battle town of Avdiivka in the east of the country, which could pave the way for a Russian advance as the war approaches its second anniversary. (AP Photo/Libkos)
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The withdrawal is considered a massive victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the largest since Russia captured the city of Bakhmut in May 2023.
The timing is crucial as Russia hopes for a morale boost ahead of the second anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24 and Russia's March presidential election. This also comes following the news that Putin critic and opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died at the age of 47.
This came just days after National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the city was at risk of falling under Russian control.
“This is happening because Ukrainian forces on the ground are running out of artillery ammunition,” Kirby said during a news conference Thursday.
“Russia is sending wave after wave of conscripts to attack Ukrainian positions, and because Congress has not yet passed the supplemental legislation, we have not been able to provide Ukraine with the artillery shells it desperately needs to stop these Russian attacks. “
The United States is Ukraine's single largest backer, but around $60 billion for Kiev is being held up by political disagreements among American lawmakers.
Earlier this month, all 27 European Union countries agreed on a €50 billion financial aid package for Ukraine.
The withdrawal came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled again to Western Europe on Friday, hoping to press his country's Western allies to continue providing military support.
Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, who took command of Ukraine's military last week in a major shakeup, announced the withdrawal as a tactical move to save the lives of troops in a city that has been under intense attack for months. (Yuriy Mate/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
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Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Zelensky called on Western countries to help Ukraine defeat Putin and said the war posed a threat to the entire world.
“How long will the world let Russia stay like this? That is the main question today,” Zelensky said.
“Please, everyone in the world, do not ask Ukraine when the war will end. Ask yourself: Why is Putin still able to continue it? Let us not be afraid of Putin's defeat and the destruction of his regime. Instead, let’s work together to destroy what.” That’s what he stands for. It is his fate to lose, not the rules-based world order's fate to disappear. And may our rules-based world never become yesterday’s world.”
The Associated Press and Portal contributed to this report.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during the 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC). (Sven Hoppe/picture Alliance via Getty Images)
Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
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