Zakharova referred the enemies´ deep concern is given the fact that Avdiivka was a powerful defensive position for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and its liberation made it possible to move the front line away from Donetsk.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, as a result of the operation 31.75 square kilometers of the territory was liberated, the losses of the Ukrainian side in the battles for Avdiivka over the past 24 hours amounted to over 1,500 servicemen.

Earlier, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu informed the Russian President about the full control over Avdiivka by the Armed Forces.

Shoigu stressed that the information about the advance of Russian troops was not made public until the Ukrainian forces were completely defeated.

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