Claims about the Avdiivka Withdrawal
Reports from Ukrainian units describe the retreat from Avdiivka as chaotic and abrupt. Observers spoke with personnel who claimed a sense of panic followed the decision to pull back, and that the evacuation of troops unfolded under heavy shelling. An officer cited a dramatic moment when a convoy of fighters came under relentless artillery fire as it exited the city, resulting in serious damage and losses. A second frontline service member noted that some soldiers did not receive timely withdrawal orders due to disrupted communication with command authorities. The account suggests a breakdown in coordination at the moment of disengagement.
Roman Kostenko, a former secretary for the Verkhovna Rada committee on national security and defense, remarked that defensive fortifications available to Ukrainian forces were not sufficient to hold positions during the withdrawal. This perspective highlights concerns about the preparedness of fortifications and the challenges of maintaining a defensive perimeter under the stress of an orderly retreat. The remarks are part of a broader dialogue about how the forces managed the transition from active defense to strategic withdrawal. (Source: Washington Post)
In a separate interview, Dmitry Dyadchuk, a senior rifleman from the 5th separate rifle battalion, described the tense waiting period before what he perceived as a possibility of surrender to advancing Russian forces in Avdiivka. The tension within the unit underscores the intensity of the engagement and the psychological strain felt by frontline troops during the withdrawal process. (Source: Washington Post)
Further developments were reported on February 29 by the Russian Ministry of Defense, which stated that units on the Avdiivka front had seized positions that offered greater tactical advantage to the Russian side. The announcement indicated heavy losses for Ukrainian forces on that day, with estimates suggesting around 500 fighters were lost in the engagement. The Russian assertion aligns with the narrative of a significant shift in control along the Avdiivka direction, though independent verification from multiple sources remained limited at the time. (Source: Washington Post)
Contemporary coverage also noted a shift in terrain control as Russian forces extended their hold toward the southern sector near Rabotino. The development illustrates the fluid nature of front lines and the ongoing contest around the broader battlefield area, where both sides reported gains and setbacks in sequence. (Source: Washington Post)