Russia said it has taken “full control” of the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka. The announcement from Moscow came hours after Kyiv said it had pulled out of the former stronghold to save soldiers’ lives.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had informed President Vladimir Putin of the advance.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin “congratulated our military and fighters on such an important victory.
Earlier, Ukrainian forces announced their withdrawal from Avdiivka saying they facing ammunition shortage and were outnumbered on the battlefield.
It followed months of pressure after Russian forces stepped up efforts to capture the eastern industrial hub in October, devastating the city and causing mass casualties.
The capture of Avdiivka represents Russia’s biggest victory in the war since May.
Avdiivka lies in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, which the Kremlin has claimed to be part of Russia since a 2022 annexation that remains unrecognised by nearly all United Nations members.