Ukrainian Forces Abandon 2 Eastern Villages in Face of Relentless Russian Advance

Withdrawals coincide with unverified claims that a U.S.-supplied Abrams tank was destroyed—for the first time—near the Russian-held town of Avdiivka.

Ukrainian servicemen prepare their weapons during a military training exercise near the front line in the Donetsk region amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on Feb. 23, 2024. Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images

Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from two more villages near the eastern town of Avdiivka, which fell to Russian forces last week after months of fierce fighting.

“Our forces have withdrawn from the small villages of Sievierne and Stepove,” Ukrainian military spokesman Dmytro Lykhoviy said on Feb. 27.