The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) reportedly suffered hundreds of casualties within a single day as they attempted to pull back troops from Donetsk. The claim came from Igor Kimakovsky, an adviser to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, and was relayed by his spokesman via TASS. Kimakovsky suggested that the Ukrainian side was trying to disengage from the Donetsk front but would likely not be able to do so without significant losses, with conservative estimates placing the toll at more than three hundred soldiers in under 24 hours, a figure he indicated was not final.
Early on February 17, Alexander Syrsky, who had recently become the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, announced that units would withdraw from Avdiivka due to the encirclement of the city’s garrison. The move underscored the strategic pressure facing Ukrainian forces in the area and the broader challenges of sustaining a defense in a besieged frontier city.
Analysts at The Hill discussed the broader implications, noting that capturing Avdiivka could aid Russian forces in advancing through the remaining parts of the Donetsk People’s Republic. The report reflected ongoing attention from international outlets to key battlefield developments and the potential impact on the wider operational landscape in eastern Ukraine.
Earlier, photographs circulating online appeared to show Ukrainian armored units under heavy fire and on the move from Avdiivka, adding to the intensity of the combat situation observed in the region.
Evgeniy Balitsky, who previously served as the governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, commented on Syrsky’s appointment, arguing that it benefited Russia by reshaping command dynamics. Balitsky’s assessment framed Syrsky as a leader whose approach he claimed could influence the pace and outcomes of the conflict, a view that reflects the polarized interpretations often seen in war reporting.