Ukrainian troops have not retreated from Lastochkyne west of Avdiivka, according to spokesman for the Tavria operational group Dmytro Lykhoviy.
“In the Avdiivka direction, units of Ukraine’s Defense Forces withdrew to the western outskirts of Lastochkyne village, where they took up prepared defensive positions,” he said.
Lykhoviy emphasized that fierce fighting continues, with Russians employing guided aviation bombs, artillery and FPV drones.
Earlier, several Ukrainian sources, including the Deepstate project, reported that the town of Lastochkyne west of Avdiivka had fallen to Russian forces. Ukrainian troops had abandoned Avdiivka on February 16 after four months of a relentless Russian assault on the town, despite heavy losses. Avdiivka is located right next to the city of Donetsk, occupied by Russia ten years ago.
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