The last Ukrainian soldiers, entrenched at a power plant near the city, have lost. Russia now has full control over the colliery and the town of Avdijivka. The fighting has cost countless soldiers their lives on both sides. A Ukrainian soldier in Avdijivka in December 2023. Photo: AP The town of Avdijivka has been under constant Russian attacks for over four months. The loss has led to criticism of the Ukrainian military. Adviser Glen Grant tells the newspaper Kyiv Independent that Ukraine must change tactics. He says Russia can afford to lose many more soldiers than Ukraine. – We cannot afford to fight this way. The tactics must change, he says. It’s only been two months since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took this photo to mark Ukrainian strength. Avdijivka is Ukrainian, it says behind President Zelensky here, 29 December 2023. Now the city has fallen to Russia. Photo: AFP Pulled out on Saturday The town is located five kilometers from Donetsk city, which is controlled by Russia. Many Ukrainians are relieved that Ukraine has withdrawn, says Morten Jentoft, news’s reporter in Ukraine. The city is described as not very strategic in the Ukrainian media, which describes the fall as a symbolically important victory for Russia. Major changes Ukraine said overnight on Saturday that it was withdrawing its forces from the city to avoid being encircled. Before Russia started the full-scale war in 2022, the city had around 23,000 inhabitants. It is the largest city Russia has taken control of since Bakhmut last May, according to the BBC. – This is a major change in the 10,000 kilometer long front line, says Jentoft. There have been reports that Russian forces are trying to continue the offensive, says Jentoft.
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Had to give up – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
