Ukraine withdraws from Avdivka in what It is already considered the biggest Russian victory in months. The commander of the Ukrainian Army gave the order to withdraw this Friday, putting an end to one of the bloodiest battles of this war.

However, it gives a great advantage to Russia, since despite being a small enclave, its value is strategic and symbolic. It was the gateway to the important city of Donetsk and one of the Ukrainian fortifications surrounded by the Dobas. In recent days, Russian troops had practically surrounded it, which had sparked a social debate in Kyiv. about the extent to which it was worth putting efforts in an absolutely destroyed city.

It only took Russia half the time for Avdivka to fall than it took in Bakhmut, the most symbolic defeat of the last year to date. Since the Ukrainian counteroffensive beganRussia is at its strongest, with clear superiority in troops, artillery, anti-aircraft defenses and, above all, in air control thanks to its fleet of drones.

Rodio Kodriashov, Ukrainian deputy commander, assures that in one day, “enemy aviation has dropped up to 60 guided aerial bombs.” Faced with the wear and tear of his exhausted soldiers, wounded and with hardly any ammunitionthe Ukrainian army abandons, they say, “to avoid being besieged and preserve their lives.”

A decision made by Chief Commander Oleksander Sirski, substitute for the Zaluznhy salient. “It was the right decision to avoid being surrounded,” Zelensky defended. In fact, the strategy adapted in this city was one of the disagreements with the Ukrainian leader that led to his departure after almost two years of invasion.