- [Announcer] This is what remains
of the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka
after months of grinding combat.
(commentator speaking in foreign language)
Ukraine's top military commander ordered troops
to pull out of the besieged town on Saturday,
(soldier speaking in foreign language)
giving Russia its most significant battlefield victory
since taking Bakhmut in May, 2023.
It shows how Russian forces
may be regaining the initiative in Ukraine
(soldier speaking in foreign language)
as Kyiv grapples with critical shortages
of weapons and soldiers.
Here's what the fall of Avdiivka means
for both sides of the war and Ukraine's western backers.
(gun booming)
Ukrainian commanders said they were outnumbered
and outgunned by Russian forces.
The new army chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, pulled back troops
to preserve lives and prevent being encircled.
(Volodymyr speaking in foreign language)
Russia renewed efforts to take Avdiivka
after Ukraine's counter offensive failed last year.
In doing so, Moscow took heavy losses of men and equipment.
Ukraine believes that almost 50,000 Russian soldiers died
and hundreds of vehicles were destroyed.
Despite this, capturing Avdiivka is key to Russia's aim
of securing control of the eastern Donbas region.
Military analysts say this will allow Moscow
to develop Donetsk as a major logistics hub.
- So it's about 12 miles from Donetsk city.
It's on the high ground, so it's a good place
to launch attacks towards Donetsk from.
And so Russia has been for years trying to retake it
to create a little more of a buffer zone
around Donetsk City.
- [Announcer] It also hands Russian president Vladimir Putin
a battlefield victory as he seeks reelection in March,
especially as neither side
had made a significant breakthrough in well over a year.
For Ukraine, losing Avdiivka is a blow to troop morale,
(artillery firing)
and it's happening as Ukraine runs critically low
on ammunition and manpower.
Soldiers said they sometimes have to save ammunition
and hold fire
even when Russian soldiers are in their sights.
(gun firing)
National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby,
said the lack of shells is partly to blame
for the situation in Avdiivka.
- Russia's sending wave after wave of conscript forces
to attack Ukrainian positions.
And because Congress has yet to pass the supplemental bill,
we've not been able to provide Ukraine
with the artillery shells that they desperately need
to disrupt these Russian assaults.
- [Announcer] Last week, the Democrat-controlled Senate
passed an aid package
with about $60 billion related to Ukraine.
But now the bill faces hurdles in the Republican-run house
because of the influence of former President Donald Trump,
who opposes more Ukraine aid.
Ukraine's president said he's prepared
to show Trump what's happening in his country.
- And if Trump, Mr. Trump,
if he will come, I'm ready even to go with him
to the front line.
- [Announcer] Military analysts don't believe
taking Avdiivka will decisively tip the war in Russia's favor.
- It's not a major crossroads, which are very important.
There's not a major rail line
which Russia uses to move supplies,
so it really would just be a symbolic victory.
- [Announcer] Russian gains show the enormous challenge
Ukraine faces if US and European support waivers.
President Biden said he told Zelensky he's confident
that Congress will ultimately approve
additional funding for Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian people have fought
so bravely and heroically.
They put so much on the line, and the idea that now
when they're running out of ammunition, we walk away.
I find it absurd. I find it unethical.
I find it just contrary to everything we are as a country.
So I'm gonna fight till we get them the ammunition they need
and the capacity they need to defend themselves.
(gentle music)