The Armed Forces of Ukraine (ZSU) have retreated to the western outskirts of the village of Lastochkine near Avdiyivka, Dmytro Lykhova, the spokesman for the Tavria military group, said.
According to him, the Russian army continues its assaults in the Avdiiv direction with the help of aviation and artillery. The speaker emphasized that the situation is dynamic and may change.
" The Armed Forces of Ukraine withdrew to previously prepared positions," Lykhovi added. He also emphasized that Russian forces continue to storm the Avdiyiv direction and operate with the support of artillery and aviation.
"The Russians are attacking with the support of aviation and artillery. With additional forces, they are trying to conduct offensive actions in this direction," said the spokesman of the Operational-Strategic Group of Troops "Tavria".
These actions are carried out in the context of the statement of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, about the withdrawal of Ukrainian units from Avdiyivka, which he made on February 17.
Also, the commander of the operational and strategic group of troops "Tavria", General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, reported on February 19 that the Ukrainian military has established new defense lines in the Avdiyiv region.
On February 20, British intelligence suggested that Russia is likely to try to gradually expand its territorial control beyond Avdiivka in the coming weeks.
