Ukraine Leaves Embattled Avdiivka As Shortages Bite, Putin Declares ‘Important Victory’

It is also the clearest indication yet of how the tide of the war has shifted in Moscow's favor, following a Ukrainian counteroffensive that failed to break through Russian defenses last year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the capture of Avdiivka as "an important victory" after Ukraine's military chief announced on Saturday that his soldiers had withdrawn from the wrecked town in the country's east after months of fierce fighting, news agency Reuters reported. Although the Russian defense ministry stated that Ukrainian soldiers remained ensconced inside the town's coke factory, Moscow's push on Avdiivka was its largest since capturing Bakhmut in May.

It occurred only days before the second anniversary of Russia's full-fledged invasion of Ukraine, amid Ukraine's dire ammunition shortages and additional US military aid that had been stalled in Congress for months.

It is also the clearest indication yet of how the tide of the war has shifted in Moscow's favor, following a Ukrainian counteroffensive that failed to break through Russian defenses last year.

In a statement released on its website, Kremlin stated: "The head of state congratulated Russian soldiers on this success, an important victory."

U.S. President Joe Biden warned last week that Avdiivka may fall to Russian forces due to ammunition shortages, after months of Republican congressional rejection to a new US military aid package for Ukraine.

According to a White House statement, Biden contacted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Saturday to underline the United States' commitment to continuing to help Ukraine and to encourage Congress to adopt the package to replenish Ukrainian forces as soon as possible.

The White House stated that the retreat was imposed on Ukraine by "dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction," forcing Ukrainian military to ration ammunition and resulting in "Russia's first notable gains in months."

Capturing the city is expected to bolster Russia's confidence ahead of Putin's re-election campaign next month, which he is nearly certain to win.

It is also considered as another step toward consolidating Moscow's control over the regional center of Donetsk, which has been held by Russian and pro-Russian forces for the past four years.