Avdiivka mission accomplished: 59th brigade officer Tsekhotskyi on military withdrawal

Speaking on the Espreso TV channel, he explained the soldiers' response to the command to leave the city.

"In essence, every one of our soldiers comprehended the situation after the order to evacuate Avdiivka. Despite it being our territory and city, morale improved. The front has stabilized, and now, with a more favorable situation, we can confidently access the situation on the right and left, so to say," elaborated the military official.

Tsekhotskyi stressed the significant artillery and aviation advantage held by Russian troops in Avdiivka. 

"This advantage was undeniable, but it came at a high cost. The toll they paid is evident in their morale, as we gather from intercepts of their conversations. From my perspective and that of many soldiers on the battlefield, the decision to withdraw was the right one, and Avdiivka fulfilled its mission," he concluded.

Background

On the night of February 16-17, in order to avoid encirclement and save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, the command of the Ukrainian Defense Forces decided to withdraw units from Avdiivka and move to defense on more favorable lines.

The commander of the Tavria direction reported that some Ukrainian defenders were captured by Russian troops during the withdrawal from Avdiivka in Donetsk region.

Ukrainian soldiers from the 3rd brigade inflicted significant losses on Russian forces in the battles for Avdiivka.

Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov stated that the decision to withdraw from Avdiivka was correct, and Ukrainian fighters now need specific types of weapons and equipment.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Russian forces likely temporarily gained local air superiority, providing direct air support to ground troops in the Avdiivka area.

In a phone call with President Zelenskyy, President Biden claimed the Ukrainian military withdrew from Avdiivka due to a lack of ammunition, blaming the US Congress.

The Atesh resistance movement asserted that Ukrainian sabotage groups are active against Russian occupying forces in Avdiivka.