The surrender of Avdiivka has become evidence of a turning point in the hostilities in favor of Russia

The takeover of Avdiivka under full control of the Russian army is the most significant event on the battlefield since the capture of Bakhmut, reports The Independent.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the capture of the city a significant victory. This defeat pushed the Ukrainian Armed Forces even further away from Donetsk and Luhansk and cut them off from important logistical hubs. The fall of Avdiivka is the clearest indication that the course of the fighting has turned in favor of Russia, the publication notes. Kyiv now urgently needs to rebuild the strength of its army, while assistance from the US is being halted by Republicans.

Ukrainian military officials say that Russia has worn down defenders with constant attacks by small groups of three to four soldiers and bombardments with precision-guided bombs. Meanwhile, analysts predict further offensive actions by Moscow. Russia is likely to attempt to seize as much territory as possible in the near future, especially within the boundaries of those territories that Putin has declared Russian.