"Ukrainian troops were fleeing in disorder from Avdeevka on routes within the range of Russian fire, even before the order of the commander of the army Oleksandr Syrsky," the Russian Defense Ministry said today, adding that units of the Central Army had advanced 8.6 km after taking full control of the city.

Russian military television later released footage from a thermal imaging drone showing Ukrainian soldiers moving in an open area and multiple explosions near their positions. Images previously published in Ukrainian media also showed Ukrainian T-72 tanks burning as they left Avdeevka, but it is unclear when.

Russia releases video of raid on Ukrainian forces withdrawing from Avdeevka

Ukrainian military spokesman Dmytro Lykhoviy admitted that his forces had suffered casualties during the withdrawal, but did not provide details and insisted that "losses were minimal" given the current situation. "I can say that the situation has somewhat stabilized after the forces left Avdeevka," he said.

The statements came a day after the Russian military announced full control of Avdeevka and inflicted 1,500 enemy casualties within 24 hours. "The order to abandon the city was given by General Syrsky only a day after the Ukrainian troops began an uncontrolled retreat," Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

After Ukraine's large-scale counterattack failed, Russia late last year launched an attack on Avdeevka, a city in Donetsk province that Ukraine turned into a fortress in 2014 with a system of fortifications and strongholds.

Russian forces have surrounded Avdeevka on three sides in recent weeks, north, south and east, and are threatening Ukraine’s last supply line west of the city. The situation forced General Syrsky on February 17 to order the withdrawal of troops from Avdeevka and shift to more favorable defenses to avoid being surrounded.

Taking control of Avdeevka is considered Russia's biggest victory since capturing Bakhmut in May 2023. Some Western experts and officials believe that Russia will expand its frontline by 50-60 km after taking control of Avdeevka, opening the way for them to attack other cities such as Konstantinovka in the north and moving closer to their goal of complete control of Donetsk province.

Vu Anh (According to Zvezda, Reuters )