Russia's Defense Ministry says they have captured the eastern city of Avdiivka, less than a day after Ukrainian troops withdrew, making it the largest victory for Russia since they took control of Bakhmut in May 2023.
President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russian troops should develop their success on the battlefield in Ukraine after the fall of Avdiivka where he said Ukrainian troops were forced to flee in chaos.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military said its troops are taking up new defensive positions in the east – and repelling Russian attempts to develop an offensive thrust.
The capture of Avdiivka pushes Ukrainian forces further from the Russian-held bastion city of Donetsk.