Ukrainian troops withdraw from Avdievka after Russia deploys 15,000 troops and drops 80 glide bombs daily

Kiev troops have withdrawn from the embattled eastern Ukrainian town of Avdievka after months of grueling fighting with Russian forces. Ukraine’s new commander-in-chief, General Alexander Silsky, said he ordered the withdrawal “in order to shift to more favorable lines of defense.” General Alexander Tarnavsky had earlier reported that Russia was “developing all its reserves to attack” the industrial city. On February 16, the deputy commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade stated that Kiev troops were resisting an attack by nearly 15,000 Russian soldiers. Maksym Zhorin, deputy commander of the brigade, said Russian warplanes dropped 60 to 80 bombs a day and launched attacks with armor and infantry.