What Russia’s Capture of Avdiivka Means for the Ukraine War | WSJ

- [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)

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Id: s8t-HWlH--s

Length: 4min 14sec (254 seconds)

Published: Tue Feb 20 2024