The Russians are now in control of all of Avdijivka and the Russian flag hangs in the center of the town.
The brutal battles for the city took a turn in the weeks in favor of the Russians after breakthroughs into its built-up areas in the south and north. The Russians, who had unsuccessfully tried to encircle Avdijivka, finally looked close to succeeding.
On Friday, the Ukrainians announced that they had retreated, first from positions in the south – and hours later from the city as a whole.
Details: Heavy and bloody
Video clips, uploaded by remaining Ukrainian soldiers, show intense Russian shelling and fighting in several directions. The Russians are said to have particularly targeted the defenders in the city’s coke works.
Soldiers told Ukrainian media that the retreat in some parts was disorderly and panicked. The retreating Ukrainians are said to have been pursued by Russian artillery fire.
Several tell how they saw their comrades killed and testify to both captures and equipment left behind.
“At the final stage of the operation and under the pressure of dominant enemy forces, a number of Ukrainian soldiers were captured,” Ukraine’s military confirmed on Sunday.
Several assessors state for The Kyiv Independent that they believe the retreat was bloodier than necessary. According to them, it is difficult to understand why it did not happen earlier.
The number fell unclear
The exact number of Ukrainian and Russian losses during the fighting for the city is unknown. Ukraine claims more than 47,000 injured and killed Russian soldiers since October 10, a figure that cannot be verified.
By comparison, an American did estimate in mid-December claiming that more than 13,000 Russians had been killed and wounded at Avdijivka.