The military observer from Bild commented on the loss of the Avdiivka Coke Chemical Plant

Military observer Julian Röpke from Bild is “shocked” that Ukrainian troops surrendered the Avdiivka coke chemical plant, which was the most fortified object in the city.

He stated this on social media platform X.

“Given that they were planning to ‘withdraw units from the city and switch to defense in more advantageous positions,’ you can see my slight shock – because this plant is perhaps the most fortified position in this area,” he wrote.

#NewsMap
The Ukrainian army surrendered the #Avdiivka Coal Plant to Russian invasion forces.
As they planned to "withdraw units from the city and move to defense on more favorable lines", you see my mildly shocked as this plant is probably the most fortified position in the area. pic.twitter.com/I8UJLudG3p

— Julian Röpcke🇺🇦 (@JulianRoepcke) February 17, 2024

To confirm his words, he published yesterday’s footage with the Russian flag over one of the plant’s buildings (in Röpke’s opinion, they were taken from the eastern side of the plant).

At the same time, as we have already reported, Russian sources claim that Ukrainian troops are still at the plant. Yesterday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that Ukrainian forces were blocked at the plant.

Russian military Telegram channels overnight published videos of alleged airstrikes on the enterprise. At the same time, there is no confirmation from the Ukrainian side that the Ukrainian Armed Forces remain at the coke chemical plant.

Ukrainian military public pages’ maps indicate that the entire plant has come under Russian control.

It is worth reminding that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka – with the aim of saving soldiers’ lives.