Hard-Pressed Ukrainian Forces Stage Partial Withdrawal from Avdiivka

Kyiv sends reinforcements to contested town, which remains besieged on three sides by Russian armored divisions.

Ukrainian soldiers fire a French-made CAESAR self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions near Avdiivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Dec. 26, 2022. Libkos/AP Photo

After months of fierce fighting, Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from parts of Avdiivka in eastern Donetsk, according to Kyiv officials.

“Maneuvers are underway in some places to withdraw our units to more advantageous positions,” Dmytro Lykhoviy, a Ukrainian military spokesman, said on Feb. 15. “Supplies to Avdiivka—and evacuations from there—remain difficult,” he added in televised comments.