Russia says it has taken Ukraine’s city of Avdiivka after a Ukrainian troop withdrawal

By ILLIA NOVIKOV and BARRY HATTON
Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian forces have taken complete control of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told the Kremlin on Saturday that Russian forces were now working to clear the final pockets of resistance at the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant, officials said in a statement. Videos on social mediaappeared to show soldiers raising the Russian flag over one of the plant’s buildings. The announcement came the same day that Ukraine’s military chief said he was withdrawing troops from the city where outnumbered defenders battled a Russian assault for four months. The timing is critical as Russia is looking for a morale boost ahead of the second anniversary of its war in Ukraine.