Ukraine Troops Withdrew from Avdiivka After Months of Fierce battles, New Army Chief says

Defense News ,Ukraine Russia War :- In a significant move, Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the battered town of Avdiivka in the early hours of Saturday, as confirmed by General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the new head of the Ukrainian military. The withdrawal comes as Ukraine grapples with severe ammunition shortages, with U.S. military aid facing delays in Congress. The decision aims to prevent Ukrainian troops from being surrounded by Russian forces after months of intense battles.

General Syrskyi stated that the troops have retreated to more secure positions outside the town, which had a population of 32,000 before the war. The move is intended to avoid encirclement and protect the lives and health of the servicemen, according to an armed forces statement.

This development, occurring nearly two years into Russia's full-scale invasion, may strengthen President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's appeal to the West for urgent military aid. U.S. President Joe Biden had warned that Avdiivka was at risk of falling to Russian forces due to ammunition shortages, a situation exacerbated by months of opposition in the Republican-controlled Congress to a new U.S. military aid package for Kyiv.

The town's strategic importance lies in its connection to the industrial Donbas region, comprising two provinces. Capturing Avdiivka is crucial for Russia's goal of securing full control of this area, potentially providing a battlefield victory for President Vladimir Putin as he seeks re-election.

Avdiivka has faced mounting offensive pressure from Russian forces, causing fatigue among Ukrainian troops fighting for nearly two years. General Syrskyi affirmed that measures are being taken to stabilize the situation and maintain their positions.

Despite the withdrawal, there has been no immediate response from the Russian Defence Ministry, President Zelenskiy, or the Ukrainian defence minister.

The conflict intensified in October when Russia escalated its offensive on Avdiivka, leading to increasingly precarious positions for Ukrainian forces. The Third Assault Brigade, a prominent Ukrainian infantry unit, faced challenging conditions, describing the fighting as "hell" and highlighting the significant numerical disadvantage against Russian forces.

While Russia has not disclosed its losses in the brutal fighting for Avdiivka, Ukrainian officials and Western military analysts stress that the advances have come at a substantial cost in terms of personnel and armored vehicles. The town, now home to fewer than 1,000 residents, is situated just north of Donetsk, a Russian-held stronghold that Ukraine lost control of in 2014 during Moscow's proxy uprising. Avdiivka's vital coking plant has ceased operations during the war.