Strategic withdrawal prepared: expert discusses potential Armed Forces' exit from Avdiivka

He made these remarks during an interview on Espreso TV.

When questioned about the possibility of Ukrainian forces leaving Avdiivka and whether there are designated withdrawal points, Prytula commented, "I believe our command has prearranged positions for a potential withdrawal. We won't withdraw into an open field; there are undoubtedly designated dugouts, trenches, and the like."

Prytula stressed the importance for Ukrainians to recognize that the military command can't broadcast its moves due to the watchful eyes of the enemy.

"Nobody is spreading panic, but when an army advances on Avdiivka - tens of thousands of individuals who do not spare their manpower - we must be judicious with our resources. Our goal isn't just to win the battle for Avdiivka; we must secure victory in this war. The war concludes when similar situations unfold in Moscow, when a significant upheaval takes place there," concluded the reserve colonel of the SBU.

Latest updates on the Avdiivka front

Oleksiy Hetman, a Russian-Ukrainian war veteran and reserve major, emphasized that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have no plans to abandon Avdiivka.

On February 14, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, the commander of the operational-strategic group "Tavria," reported that in the first two months of 2024, Russian occupiers conducted a significant number of airstrikes on Ukrainian military positions in the Avdiivka direction.

Throughout the day, there were 64 combat clashes on the front lines. Defense forces successfully repelled over 61 enemy attacks across eight directions, with a focus on Avdiivka and Marinka.

Ivan Kyrychevsky, a Defense Express expert, suggested that the destruction of the Russian column in the Avdiivka direction indicates the likelihood that the Armed Forces have reserves prepared for the defense of Avdiivka.

The latest map of hostilities from February 8-14 indicates a worsening situation on the front, with Avdiivka facing a crucial moment for its survival.