Reports circulating about the Avdiivka withdrawal show a significant number of Ukrainian soldiers potentially lost or held in captivity. The New York Times cited testimony from two Ukrainian servicemen and information from Western officials to estimate a range roughly between 850 and 1,000 individuals affected. The figures reflect ongoing uncertainty about the fate of personnel in or near the combat zone as the retreat unfolded, and they highlight how quickly ground realities can shift during moments of strategic realignment. (New York Times)
Currently, assessments of how many Ukrainians were captured by Russian forces or later went missing vary. The New York Times noted that a precise tally remains elusive until Ukraine can establish a sturdier defensive posture beyond Avdiivka. Earlier remarks from General Valerii Zaluzhnyi acknowledged that some Ukrainian service members were captured during the late stages of the Avdiivka withdrawal, adding to the challenge of confirming exact numbers amid fluid frontline conditions. (New York Times)
On February 17, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced a strategic withdrawal from Avdiivka, emphasizing the protection of the lives and health of military personnel. Later that day, Russian defense authorities reported to President Vladimir Putin that Avdeevka had come under Russian control. The Russian Ministry of Defense described the settlement as a robust defense node that remained under Ukrainian protection, while on February 19 it asserted the complete liberation of the Avdeevka coke plant from Ukrainian forces. These developments were framed as decisive milestones in a broader effort to secure strategic terrain in the region. (Official statements summarized)
As events continued, Russian defense leadership issued further communications. On February 20, a detailed operational report outlined actions aimed at gaining control of Avdeevka with the goal of minimizing losses while maximizing tactical effectiveness. The Moscow narrative portrayed the operation as a disciplined, precision-driven effort designed to stabilize a contested urban area while preserving as many defending personnel as possible. (Russian defense ministry briefings)
In related movements, reports from the Kuzbass region indicated a separate thread: an individual previously residing there had been detained in connection with attempts to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This note, while not central to the Avdiivka withdrawal itself, reflects the broader atmosphere of recruitment, counter-recruitment, and regional security concerns that color the ongoing conflict. Taken together, the sequence of events surrounding Avdiivka shows how rapidly evolving military decisions, casualty and captivity accounting, and diplomatic communications intersect in this ongoing crisis. International media and defense ministries have repeatedly stressed the need for accurate, verifiable information, given the high stakes and the sensitivity of casualty figures in shaping public perception and policy responses. Attribution: reporting attributed to the New York Times and statements from official sources as summarized above. (Attribution to New York Times and official briefings)