Russian forces appear to be consolidating their gains in and around the occupied eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka following Ukraine's withdrawal, with Kran military spokesman Dmytro Lykhovy saying on February 18 that Russian forces launched an attack west of Avdiivka in an attempt to seize more territory from Ukrainian forces. It was the biggest win in more than a year.
A day earlier, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel-General Alexander Syrsky, announced the withdrawal of Ukrainian units from Avdiivka, saying that this was done "in order to avoid encirclement and protect the lives and health of servicemen," and Kiev called on Western partners to provide more ammunition.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces accuse Russian forces of shooting eight prisoners of war in Avdiivka and the nearby village of Visele. ** Claims that two Ukrainian soldiers were caught in a Russian trench by a Russian soldier who appeared to have fired several shots at them at close range. It is not yet possible to verify the authenticity, and the exact location is unknown. Ukrainian authorities said they had launched a war crimes investigation following the incident's reporting. The Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office said on Telegram: "An investigation into the incident with unarmed Ukrainian prisoners of war in Avdiivka and Vesele has been launched. ”