Ukraine's withdrawal from eastern stronghold Avdiika marks Russia's symbolic Victory

Ukraine’s withdrawal from eastern stronghold Avdiika marks Russia’s symbolic Victory

NEW DELHI: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that troops have been withdrawn from the besieged stronghold of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine. The decision was made to prioritize the safety and lives of Ukrainian soldiers. This move has been seen as a significant symbolic victory for Russia since May.

Russian forces have been intensifying their efforts to capture Avdiivka, resulting in significant casualties and destruction since October. With limited ammunition and outnumbered on the battlefield, Ukrainian forces made the decision to withdraw in the early hours of Saturday.

Speaking at a security conference in Munich, President Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of saving their people. He clarified that the withdrawal was a strategic move to avoid being surrounded and did not mean that Russia had captured any territory.

The newly-appointed commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, supported the decision and highlighted the value placed on the lives of military personnel. This withdrawal comes at a time when Ukraine is facing mounting pressures in the east due to ammunition shortages, with a $60 billion US military aid package awaiting approval in Washington.

Commander Oleksandr Tarnavsky also expressed support for the decision, pointing out that Russian troops had a significant advantage in terms of shelling and were advancing over the corpses of their own soldiers. A Ukrainian serviceman on the frontline echoed this sentiment, stating that it was the right decision given the lack of weapons and artillery shells. He emphasized that saving the lives of soldiers was crucial to continue the fight.

Avdiivka, located in the Donetsk region, has been a point of contention between Ukraine and Russia. The Kremlin claims it as part of Russia following the unrecognised annexation in 2022. Although briefly controlled by pro-Russian separatists in 2014, Avdiivka has remained under Ukrainian control. Despite the invasion and its proximity to the separatist capital Donetsk, Ukrainian forces have held their ground.

The battle for Avdiivka has been one of the bloodiest in the two-year war, with comparisons being made to the battle for Bakhmut, which resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers. The city has suffered significant destruction, with most of its inhabitants forced to flee. Russian forces have leveled the city, making it difficult for Ukraine to continue bombing Donetsk.

While the fall of Avdiivka is a setback for Ukraine, it remains to be seen if it will provide a strategic advantage for Russian forces to further advance in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian officials are urgently requesting military aid to fend off future attacks. President Zelenskyy has been actively seeking support and aid from allies, signing security pacts with France and Germany to strengthen Kyiv’s position in its battle against Russia.

(With inputs from agency)

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