The Ukrainian forces announced the withdrawal of their troops from Avdiivka, a major city that has become one of the fiercest battles on the eastern front in recent months.

This step came following Moscow's intensified attacks on the region, as Russia bombed it with air raids and artillery, sending wave after wave of ground attacks using armored vehicles and soldiers.

Although the strategic importance of the town is limited, Avdiivka represents Moscow's biggest gain since capturing the city of Bakhmut last year, and it is also an indicator of how the war seems to have turned in Putin's favor, according to CNN.

Ukraine is facing renewed pressures on the eastern front, exacerbated by shortages of ammunition and manpower. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the decision to withdraw from Avdiivka was made "to save the lives of our soldiers."

Avdiivka has been on the front lines since Russia-backed fighters took control of large parts of the Donbas region, including the nearby city of Donetsk, in 2014. It has been under fire since Russia launched its military operation in February 2022.

Commander of the Ukrainian southern forces, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, said the withdrawal from the town located northwest of Donetsk was "the only right solution," adding that Russia captured some Ukrainian forces during the operation.

• A symbol of Ukraine's struggles

The loss of Avdiivka is undoubtedly a blow to Ukraine, according to CNN.

The counteroffensive that began months ago with the aim of reclaiming large territories has stalled, and the country is witnessing signs that strong support from the West is waning, especially from its main ally, the United States.

As Ukraine retreats in other parts of the front, the new Ukrainian army commander, Serhiy Siverskyi, faces a huge challenge to bring the fight back to Russia.

Moscow’s forces launched an offensive around Avdiivka in October. Since then, the area has become a point of intense fighting with around-the-clock Russian shelling and waves of soldiers and armored vehicles advancing.

Ukrainian officer Serhiy Tskhotsky recently told Ukrainian television that Russia is deploying large numbers of forces in the battle of Avdiivka. He insisted that many were killed.

The Russian offensive was similar to the "meat grinder" tactics used to take Bakhmut last year, where a NATO source estimated that for every Ukrainian soldier killed defending Bakhmut, Russia lost five.

However, Moscow’s advance in Avdiivka has slowed due to heavily entrenched Ukrainian forces in the area.