00:00 According to a media report by Reuters, Ukrainian troops have decided to withdraw from Avdeivka,
00:06 a town devastated in eastern Ukraine marking a significant shift in the ongoing conflict.
00:13 Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed the capture of the city as a crucial victory,
00:17 underscoring Moscow's strategic gains amidst acute ammunition shortage in Ukraine.
00:23 This development signifies Russia's biggest territorial advance since seizing Bakhmut
00:27 in May, highlighting a turning tide in the conflict after a failed Ukrainian counteroffensive.
00:34 The Biden administration's warning of a potential loss of Avdeivka due to ammunition
00:38 scarcity underscores the gravity of the situation, with delays in U.S. military aid exacerbating
00:43 the Ukrainian vulnerabilities.
00:46 After the development, President Biden called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscoring
00:50 commitment to support Ukraine while urging Congress to urgently pass the military aid
00:54 package.
00:55 The White House attributes Ukraine's withdrawal to dwindling supplies amid congressional inaction,
01:01 leading to Russia's notable territorial gains.
01:03 Meanwhile, Putin has sent congratulatory messages to Russian troops on the significance of Avdeivka's
01:09 capture, likely bolstering morale ahead of his upcoming re-election bid.
01:13 Avdeivka's seizure is seen as a step towards consolidating Moscow's grip on Donetsk, a
01:19 strategic regional centre held by Russian and pro-Russian forces since 2014.
01:24 However, Russia's territorial advance has incurred heavy human and material costs, too,
01:30 with casualties mounting on both sides.
01:32 Zelenskyy's plea for increased military support from Western allies highlights Ukraine's urgent
01:37 need for reinforcement, particularly modern air defence and artillery shells.
01:42 Despite such setbacks, Ukrainian forces remain resolute in shifting to a more secure position
01:48 outside Avdeivka to avoid encirclement and safeguard soldiers' lives.
01:53 The ongoing assault underscores the relentless nature of Russia's offensive, heightening
01:58 the urgency of international assistance for Ukraine.
02:03 Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade's first-hand accounts paint a grim picture of the fighting,
02:08 emphasising the overwhelming odds faced by Ukrainian defenders against the Russian forces.
02:13 Amid escalating tension, Avdeivka's fall stands as a symbol of broader conflicts, human toll
02:19 and the urgent need for sustained international intervention to stem further escalation and
02:24 support Ukraine's sovereignty.
02:26 Or else everything will be gone.
02:33 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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