– [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).