Kyiv | Russian forces have taken complete control of the eastern strategic city of Avdiivka after Ukrainian forces withdrew, clinching their most significant battlefield victory in nearly a year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the military on the “important victory”, state media reported. A statement from the Defence Ministry said Russian forces took “complete” control of the city in the Donetsk region but were still clearing some areas, including a coke and chemical plant Ukrainian troops used as a final stronghold in the battle.

Washington Post