Ground! Ukraine withdrew its troops from Avdiivka

The timing of Ukraine's subsequent withdrawal from Avdiivka is crucial as Russia seeks a morale boost ahead of the second anniversary of Moscow's war with Ukraine on February 24 and Russia's ** elections in March.

Earlier on Saturday, Ukrainian commander Gen. Alexander Syrsky posted a brief statement on Facebook saying he had made the decision to avoid a siege and "protect the lives and health of servicemen."

"Our soldiers performed their military duty with dignity, doing everything possible to destroy the best military units of Russia, inflicting significant losses in manpower and equipment on the enemy.

We are taking steps to stabilize the situation and maintain our position. ”

The withdrawal comes a day after Ukraine's Zelenskyy visited Western Europe again on Friday, hoping to urge Ukraine's Western allies to continue providing military support.

It was the first major test General Syrsky has faced since he was appointed Ukraine's new army chief of staff last week. Before becoming the commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, he was credited with holding the city of **mut for nine months,The siege became the longest and bloodiest battle of the war, costing Ukraine dearly, but also weakening Russia's army.

In recent days, there have been reports that the Ukrainian army in Avdiivka is facing a deteriorating situation. The deputy commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade, Rodion Kudryshov, said on FridayUkrainian forces are still resisting attacks by about 15,000 Russian soldiers, but he expects the situation to "become critical soon."

He told the Associated Press: "The enemy is trying to break through our defenses and, in some places, bypass our positions. ", the brigade saidRussian warplanes dropped about 60 bombs a day, mercilessly bombarding the area and attacking with armored units and infantry.

A paragraph ** shows thick black smoke rising from the Caramel Factory in Avtiivka, Ukraine, allegedly caused by a burning fuel depot. "Toxic fumes spread throughout the plant," the post said. Russia** reported that Kremlin forces are making extensive use of aircraft-launched gliding bombs, which fly at smaller angles, to strike Ukrainian positions.

Zelenskyy visited Western Europe again on Friday, hoping to urge his country's Western allies to continue providing military supportWhite House spokesman John Kirby said on Thursday that Russian forces had begun destroying Ukraine's defenses in eastern cities. He said Avdiivka was at risk of falling into Russian hands。He blamed the development "in large part" on the impending depletion of ammunition for the Ukrainian army.

The United States is the largest single supporter of Ukraine, but political divisions among American lawmakers have hampered support for Kyiv of about $60 billion.

Avdiivka is located on the northern outskirts of Donetsk and has a well-fortified city consisting of a network of tunnels and concrete fortifications, the city of the same name in the area of the same name partially occupied by Russian troops. The capture of Avdiivka could give Moscow a timely boost and could become a springboard for Russia to move further into the region.

The governor of the Donetsk region, Vadim Firashkin, said that there were less than 1,000 people left in the city. The city, which had a pre-war population of about 31,000, is now a bombed-out shell.

However, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said on Thursday that the capture of Avdiivka would be more of a symbolic victory for the Kremlin and would not bring significant changes to the 1,500-kilometer-long front. Little has changed in recent months.

In an evaluation report, the institute said:"The possible capture of Avdiivka by Russia will not have significant operational significance, it will only bring an immediate information and political victory to the Kremlin. ”

If Russian forces capture the settlement, it is unlikely that they will make rapid, operationally significant progress from Avdiivka, and the possibility of Russian capture of Avdiivka will at best create conditions for further limited tactical gains. ”