Ukraine’s military has said outnumbered troops have been withdrawn from the eastern city of Avdiivka.
The decision comes as battles escalate in the region, but Ukraine insists the withdrawal from the southeastern part of the city provides no strategic advantage for Russia.
Speaking on Telegram, the commander of Ukraine’s southeastern sector Oleksandr Tarnavskyi said units were removed with minor losses.
“In a difficult battlefield situation, when only ruins and a pile of broken bricks remain from the fortification, our priority is to save the soldiers’ lives,” he said.
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One of Ukraine’s most prominent fighting units, the Third Assault Brigade, had recently been rushed to Avdiivka to reinforce troops there.
The brigade described the situation in the city as “hell” and “threatening and unstable”, but that it had conducted a raid against Russian forces in parts of the town and inflicted heavy casualties.
Why is the city important?
Russia is trying to encircle and capture Avdiivka nearly two years after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Kyiv’s foothold in the town appears increasingly shaky, with its supply lines threatened.
Russian forces have been trying to advance on the town since October and have surrounded it on three sides, leaving limited resupply routes for the Ukrainian troops dug in there.
Nearly two years after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, capturing the eastern city is viewed as key to Moscow’s aim of securing full control of the two provinces that make up the industrial Donbas region.
It would also hand Vladimir Putin a way to justify the war as he seeks re-election next month.
Zelenskyy calls for western support
It comes as Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a trip to western Europe today in a bid to press allies to continue to provide military support.
The Ukrainian president signed a bilateral security agreement with Germany, and is set to sign another with France later today.
Speaking in Berlin, Mr Zelenskyy said his troops are “heroically defending strategic points and logistic routes”.
“Regarding Avdiivka, the situation there has been ongoing for several days,” he said.
“We remember what Russia does with our cities and villages. They will not stop until they completely destroy everything living there.”
He added: “I know in detail what is happening. I am in contact with our military leadership. I will not speak about the new military approaches they are using.
“Their task is to do everything to protect our people above all else.”
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Earlier this week, the United States senate approved a $95bn foreign aid package which included $60bn in support for Ukraine.
White House spokesperson John Kirby said at the time that Avdiivka was at risk of falling to the Russians due to a lack of artillery ammunition.