Avdiivka
Background
Avdiivka is a city in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, located in the central part of the oblast just north of Donetsk, the regional center. It lies within the industrial Donbas region and is known for the Avdiivka Coke Plant, one of the area’s major industrial facilities. Before the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the city had an estimated population of 31,392 in 2022, making it a relatively small but established urban center.
The city has had significance in Russian and international affairs because of its location near Donetsk and its role in the wider conflict over control of eastern Ukraine. During the war in Donbas, Avdiivka became a frontline settlement and was repeatedly affected by shelling and fighting. Its industrial base and position near key transport and defensive lines made it a strategically important point in the Donetsk area.
Avdiivka was within the claimed boundaries of the separatist Donetsk People's Republic before Russia declared the annexation of the region in September 2022. It saw a battle in 2017 and later became the scene of intense fighting during the Russian invasion beginning in 2022, which caused most residents to flee and left much of the city damaged or destroyed. Russian forces captured the city on 17 February 2024 after Ukrainian troops withdrew to avoid encirclement, and it has since been referred to in discussions of reconstruction and control of territory in the Donetsk People's Republic.
Timeline
Avdiivka remained under the control of Russian and DPR authorities after Pushilin said Ukrainian forces controlled only 15–17% of the DPR territory overall.
Meeting with Head of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin
Documents
Meeting with Head of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin
Putin met with DPR head Denis Pushilin to discuss reconstruction progress, with Pushilin reporting that Ukrainian forces now control only 15–17% of DPR territory, down from 25% six months ago.