Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) saw no visual evidence of a significant or chaotic retreat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Avdiivka.
ISW experts noted this in their new report.
On the contrary, analysts note, the insignificant pace of advance of the Russian army in and around the city indicates that the retreat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Avdievka is relatively controlled.< /p>Now watching
Retreat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Avdiivka: consequences for the Russian Federation
At the same time, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War are confident that the Russians’ attempts to complicate or prevent the retreat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Avdievka can exhaust the Russian army.
According to experts, the Ukrainian Armed Forces may have to stabilize the front line with a counterattack in the area where Russian forces are trying to encircle Ukrainian forces making an orderly retreat from Avdiivka.
Therefore, according to ISW, the Russians’ attempts to complicate the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ retreat from Avdiivka and the Ukrainian counterattacks that cover the controlled withdrawal will presumably lead to further Russian losses.
– It will obviously be difficult for Russian troops to advance west of Avdiivka to the prepared positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Therefore, it is likely that the Russian army will suffer significant losses if it decides to attack these Ukrainian positions in open fields, ISW believes.
In addition, American analysts add, in an attempt to complicate or prevent the Ukrainian Armed Forces' retreat from Avdiivka, the Russians are seeking to inflict significant losses on Ukrainian forces in the area, because capturing Avdiivka would not have any operational advantage or paths for significant operational advancement.
Retreat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Avdiivka: Syrsky’s statement
Let us recall that at two o'clock in the morning on February 17, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky made a statement about the retreat of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Avdiivka.
As the commander-in-chief explained, he made the decision to retreat from the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Avdiivka and go on the defensive to more advantageous lines, taking into account the operational situation that had developed around the city in order to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of military personnel.
Brigadier General, Commander of the Operational Strategic Group of Forces (OSGV) Tavria Alexander Tarnavsky called the decision to retreat the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Avdeevka the only correct one.
The full-scale war in Ukraine has been going on for the 724th day.
The situation in cities can be monitored on the interactive map of military operations in Ukraine and on the map of air raids in Ukraine.
