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In photos: The final days of the battle for Avdiivka

Source: Meduza

Two days after the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops, Russian forces have completed their takeover of Avdiivka. According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, its soldiers took “full control” of Avdiivka’s coke plant on February 19, eliminating the town’s last pocket of resistance. Located near the city of Donetsk, Avdiivka has been a frontline town since 2014 — and it continued to serve as a Ukrainian stronghold long after Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Russian army began an all-out assault on Avdiivka last October and the push to encircle the town dragged on for months, reportedly costing Russia tens of thousands of casualties and major equipment losses. Meduza shares scenes from the final days of the battle for Avdiivka, in photos.

According to The Washington Post, Ukrainian forces began to withdraw from Avdiivka on February 15 — six months after Russian troops began a full-scale assault on the town. That same day, Russian forces captured the main road leading to Avdiivka, cutting off the main supply line for Ukrainian soldiers defending the embattled city.

The Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi announced the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka on February 17. That same day, pro-war Russian Telegram channels began posting grainy photos and videos that appeared to show Russian troops planting flags in different parts of the town, including on the grounds of the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant. 

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on February 17, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the decision to withdraw troops from Avdiivka aimed to save Ukrainian soldiers’ lives. “We are preserving our people, our warriors, because this is what defense is all about,” he said.

“The decision to protect people is right,” Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said in a post amid the withdrawal. “We will return to Avdiivka.” 

Soldiers from the Ukrainian Security Service’s Alpha unit inside the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant. February 6, 2024. 
Wojciech Grzedzinski / The Washington Post / Getty Images
Ruins on the outskirts of Avdiivka. February 14, 2024.
Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
A road sign near Avdiivka. February 14, 2024.
Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
Ukrainian soldiers drive by a destroyed artillery installation on the road to Avdiivka. February 14, 2024. 
Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
Ukrainian troops on the outskirts of Avdiivka. February 14, 2024. 
Vlada Liberova / Libkos / Getty Images
Military vehicles on a mud road near Avdiivka. February 14, 2024. 
Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
Smoke rises from Avdiivka’s coke plant behind the village of Lastochkyne, which was under Grad rocket fire by Russian forces. Avdiivka district, Donetsk region. February 15, 2024.  
Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
Ukrainian soldiers build fortifications on the outskirts of Avdiivka. February 17, 2024.
Anatolii Stepanov / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
A Russian attack helicopter flies over Panteleimonivka, a village less than 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Avdiivka.
Alexander Ermochenko / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA
Ukrainian soldiers on the road leading to Avdiivka. February 14, 2024.
Vlada Liberova / Libkos / Getty Images
Smoke hangs over the town’s coke plant amid the Ukrainian withdrawal from Avdiivka. February 17, 2024. 
Madeleine Kelly / ZUMA Press Wire / Scanpix / LETA
Ukrainian soldiers during the retreat from Avdiivka. February 17, 2024. 
Madeleine Kelly / ZUMA Press Wire / Scanpix / LETA
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