The Ukrainian armed forces have already begun a partial withdrawal near Avdeevka. This was reported by The Washington Post.
“The Ukrainian military says the fact that it will have to surrender the city is only a matter of time. The military said Thursday that a partial withdrawal has already begun,” The Washington Post reported. One of the Ukrainian fighters told the newspaper that Russian forces are effectively putting pressure on the defence lines, which is leading to the retreat of the AFU.
The newspaper also informs that as recently as last week they observed the transfer of new Ukrainian reinforcements to Avdeevka. According to their assumption, the Avdeevka coke and chemical plant located in the area may serve as the “last stronghold” of the AFU.
On the eve, 14 January, the speaker of the AFU operational-strategic grouping “Tavria” Dmitriy Likhovoy admitted that the Ukrainian troops are preparing for the loss of the main supply artery near Avdeevka.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that Ukraine was “gradually deflating” in the conflict with Russia and that the situation on the battlefield was changing.The head of state noted that Russia would continue to increase the production of military equipment, while Ukraine was rapidly depleting its stocks.