Russia’s advances in the town of Avdiivka have been mapped as Ukraine loses control of the key town.
Vladimir Putin’s forces have sacrificed huge numbers of men to claim control of the area as they launch a renewed offensive.
As mapped out by War Mapper, the Russians have made advances in the northwest of the city as well as in the south.
The Kremlin has said Russian soldiers have “liberated” the town and are now clearing the area of mines.
Ukraine’s army chief, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky, said: “Our soldiers honorably fulfilled their military duty, did everything possible to destroy the best Russian military units, [and] inflicted significant losses on the enemy in manpower and equipment.”
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Russia lost a reported 17,000 men taking the town, but Ukrainians have also suffered greatly while defending the territory.
CNN has spoken to Ukrainian troops about their struggle in Avdiivka.
One soldier ordered his colleagues to “Leave the 300 (wounded)” and “burn everything.”
Viktor Bilia, a soldier stationed there, wrote on Instagram: “There was zero visibility outside. It was just about survival. A kilometer across the field. A bunch of blind kittens guided by a drone. Enemy artillery. The road to Avdiivka is filled with Ukrainian corpses.
“Their despair, their doom. It will always stay with us. The most courageous are the ones who die.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Western allies to send more weapons and ammunition to help his country.
The European Union has agreed a new support package for Kyiv, but the US’ is still waiting to go through the House of Representatives as Republicans attempt to block it.
John Roberts, a US Army veteran now volunteering in Ukraine, says the political stalemate in Washington is hurting Kyiv’s troops.
He said in an open letter: “On the ground in Avdiivka, we felt the results of current American politics with full force. I can tell you that here in Avdiivka, we felt the result of Congress’ actions to defund Ukraine.
“Ukraine is not giving up. Americans, we cannot give up either.”
