Ukraine Russia war: US warns Avdiivka could fall
BBC NewsFeb 03
Ukrainian Troops Withdraw from Avdiivka
story
Image copyright: Libkos/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Weeks into his new post, Ukraine's commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced that his troops have withdrawn from the Donetsk city of Avdiivka.
"Based on the operational situation around Avdiivka, in order to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of servicemen, I decided to withdraw our units from the city and move to defence on more favourable lines," Skyrskyi said in a Facebook post Saturday.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
It's imperative that the US pass the $60B military aid package for Ukraine. It's just as important that European countries plug the spending gap and elevate their commitments. Otherwise, Ukraine will continue to be short of ammunition and key supplies and will face a slow-motion defeat on the battlefield.
Pro-Russia narrative
Aside from the avoidable loss of Ukrainian territory and men throughout this conflict, Ukraine's counteroffensive has failed and Kyiv is now losing the war. More money for arms will simply bring about more death and destruction. Ukraine would never have fought this war against Russia without US and EU weapons. Now that these weapons are running dry, Ukraine must accept the reality that Russia will never cease its defense of the Donbas or Crimea.
