During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday disclosed important details regarding losses suffered by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) during their defeat in the battle of Avdiivka.

Shoigu said that the UAF left many wounded soldiers behind, as well as weaponry and heavily mined areas, noting that work is underway to clear the area.

"The enemy, flees [Avdiivka], leaving many prisoners, many wounded behind. A lot of weapons were abandoned, a lot of portable anti-aircraft missile systems pipes. A lot of work is underway on mine clearance," Shoigu said, noting that the retreat of Ukrainian troops was not organized.

The Minister added that Ukrainian troops suffered an estimated loss of 2,400 in Avdiivka, within the span of merely 24 hours (February 17-18).

"Over the last two days, [February] 17-18, 2.400 … These are big losses," Shoigu said.

🇷🇺 🪖 The coke plant in Avdeevka has been liberated, Russian troops are moving west - Shoigu

📝 “The Russian Armed Forces carried out up to 450 high-precision airstrikes per day during the liberation of Avdeevka,” said the Russian Defense Minister. pic.twitter.com/Bzs3m6SNhd

— Тоби айоделе -Tboy🇳🇬🇷🇺 (@TobiAyodele) February 20, 2024

Elsewhere in his comments, Shoigu said that Ukraine lost nearly 166,000 soldiers, 800 tanks (including more than half of the Leopard tanks supplied to them), 123 aircraft, and 2,400 pieces of military equipment during its counteroffensive last year.

"They lost 166,000 [soldiers as] killed and wounded... more than 800 tanks, almost 2,400 different armored fighting vehicles — armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles … in fact, from what they have today, more than half of the Leopards were destroyed, they lost 123 planes and helicopters in this direction," Shoigu said.

Zelensky's decision to withdraw troops 'wise', US says

At a press briefing on Tuesday, US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a "wise decision" to withdraw his troops from Avdiivka, noting that the decision was based on saving soldiers' lives.

"It was a wise decision by President Zelensky to withdraw so his troops didn't get encircled, so that he could preserve them and the precious resources that they have," Kirby said.

He further recalled the importance of passing a bill to support Ukraine, and blamed the lack of "congressional action" for the defeat in Avdiivka. 

He warned that if Kiev is not supplied with more ammunition soon, it may result in a further expansion of Russian control.

Read more: Putin congratulates military on 'important victory' in Avdiivka

The Ukrainian military is grappling with severe deficits in their arsenal, specifically artillery, air defenses, and long-range weapons, that are not being balanced out due to the constant delay in the promised $60 billion military aid package by the United States. 

Earlier in the day, Ukrainian President Zelensky revealed that his army is facing serious challenges at the frontlines due to delays in military foreign aid and diminished morale. 

At the Munich Security Conference last Saturday, Zelensky stated that Ukraine's counteroffensive is impeded by insufficient supplies of long-range missiles and artillery shells. He noted that the Ukrainian army is in urgent need of additional weaponry.

"Ukrainians have proven that we can force Russia to retreat," he said, adding that "our actions are limited only by the sufficiency and length of the range of our strength... (the) Avdiivka situation proves this," said Zelensky.

"Keeping Ukraine in artificial deficits of weapons, particularly in deficits of artillery and long-range capabilities, allows Putin to adapt to the current intensity of the war."