Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
US Embassy in Syria: Barrack and Abdi discussed practical steps toward integration into a unified Syria and agreed that the time for unity has come
US Embassy in Syria: US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack met today with the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi
US Embassy in Syria: Barrack-Abdi meeting discussed the current situation in Syria and the need to take urgent steps to restore stability
Al-Hijri: We call on the guarantor states of the ceasefire agreement to fulfill their pledges to halt this attack and impose direct international protection for the Druze of Syria
Al-Hijri: It is unfortunate and shameful that the other party is not abiding by the ceasefire and that the hostile gangs continue to commit shameful crimes
Spiritual Leadership of the Druze Unitarian community, headed by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri: We call on the guarantors of the ceasefire in Sweida to shoulder their responsibilities
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One was killed in the raid carried out by an Israeli drone on a motorcycle in the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 62 martyrs killed by IOF in Gaza since morning, including 32 aid seekers.
Reuters: More than 20 injured in Los Angeles, including four critically, after a car rammed into a crowd
NNA: A civilian was killed in a drone strike while fixing plumbing on a rooftop in Matal al-Jabal, on the outskirts of al-Khiam

Ukrainian Forces retreat from Avdiivka in new blow: Army chief

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 17 Feb 2024 10:52
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

With the impending two-year anniversary of the war, Ukrainian forces find themselves facing significant challenges along the frontlines.

  • x
  • Ukrainian Forces retreat from Avdiivka to prevent encirclement: Chief
    Ukrainian troops fighting in Avdiivka in an undated image. (AP)

Ukrainian forces have pulled out of the eastern city of Avdiivka to prevent being surrounded, according to army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. This move represents a significant shift on the frontlines, surpassing the previous change when Russian forces gained control of Bakhmut in May of the preceding year.

Syrskyi, who recently assumed the position, explained in a Facebook post on Saturday that the decision was made to “preserve the lives and health of servicemen”, stabilize the situation, and relocate troops to more advantageous defensive positions.

“Our soldiers performed their military duty with dignity, did everything possible to destroy the best Russian military units, [and] inflicted significant losses on the enemy in terms of manpower and equipment,” he claimed. “The life of military personnel is [of] the highest value.”

Related News

US envoy meets SDF leader to advance Syria's unification

Man suspected in LA car ramming that injured 30 in custody

The day before, the Ukrainian military leader overseeing operations in the southeast of the country had announced that Ukrainian forces had pulled back from certain positions within the town.
 
“New positions have been prepared and powerful fortifications continue to be prepared, taking into account all possible scenarios,” Oleksandr Tarnavskiy said in a post on social media on Friday.

In a statement released on Saturday, shortly following Syrskyi's announcement, he said, “In a situation where the enemy is advancing on the corpses of their own soldiers with a ten-to-one shell advantage, under constant bombardment, this [withdrawal] is the only correct solution.”

The big picture

With the impending two-year anniversary of the war, Ukrainian forces find themselves facing significant challenges along the frontlines. They are grappling with diminished and fatigued ranks, exacerbated by a shortage of artillery shells, which has been further complicated by the delay in receiving a substantial funding package from the United States.
 
On Thursday, President Joe Biden cautioned that Avdiivka was at risk of being captured by Russian forces due to a lack of ammunition, which persisted for months due to opposition from Republican members of Congress against the aid package. Although Avdiivka had been under relentless bombardment by the Russians for an extended period, it was only in the recent weeks that they achieved notable progress, with small units of advancing troops entering the city.
 
Syrskyi, appointed just last week, had deployed additional forces to support the defense of Avdiivka. However, statements from Tarnavskiy indicated that Kiev might be contemplating a withdrawal from the city, as it was reportedly encircled on three sides by Russian forces.
 
If Russia were to control Avdiivka, it would grant them complete dominance over the region encompassing Donetsk. This strategic move would reportedly serve as a victory for Vladimir Putin as he gears up for an upcoming election that will extend his term in office by another six years. 

Read more: Avdiivka soon to become 'another Bakhmut' if no aid received: UAF

  • United States
  • Avdiivka
  • Russia
  • Putin
  • war in Ukraine
  • Ukraine
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Algerian nurse stabbed in Germany

Murder of Algerian nurse in Germany sparks outcry, demands for justice

  • Europe
  • 14 Jul 2025
Credible reports, including some from Israeli media itself, indicate that Tel Aviv had pinned its hopes on what can only be described as a delusional plan. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Jebraily: Iran strikes rewrote regional deterrence rules - Exclusive

  • MENA
  • 15 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam Brigades fighters confront Israeli soldiers in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

3 Israeli soldiers killed amid Gaza battles: Israeli media

  • Palestine
  • 14 Jul 2025
Donald Trump, the Corporate Aristocracy and the Israelization of the World

Donald Trump, the Corporate Aristocracy and the Israelization of the World

  • Opinion
  • 15 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Senator: Israeli plan for US support to displace Palestinians ‘sick'
Politics

Dem. Senator slams Israeli push for Gaza expulsion as 'sickening'

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa, center, and other clergymen gather at the Church of St. George Al Khidr on Monday, days after an arson attack at the site reportedly by Israeli settlers. (AFP - Getty Images)
Politics

Christians under Israeli settler fire in Jesus native Palestinian soil

Smoke from Israeli airstrikes on the northern Gaza Strip, on Friday, July 18, 2025. (AP)
Politics

650 days of Israeli war: 125,000 tons of bombs; 2,613 families effaced

Gaza Health Ministry: Starved Palestinians face imminent death
Politics

Gaza MoH issues warning: Starved Palestinians face imminent death

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS