Ukrainians react after troops withdraw from eastern town of Avdiivka | AFP

Ukraine has withdrawn troops from the besieged eastern stronghold of Avdiivka to save the lives of its soldiers, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday, handing Russia its biggest symbolic victory since May.

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[igorr]

"Symbolic" victory?? They destroyed the strongest fortified area in the entire Ukrainian defense, the dagger in the heart of Donetsk. They have no lines dug behind it.

[badgoat]

Looks a bit different than gaza now. Russia werent destroying civilians indiscriminately.

[fullenergika]

From "key city" to a "symbolic" one 🤣
AFP never failed to make me laugh...

[george]

When will Ukrainians come back to sense?

[trevorsutherland]

Every time I begin to feel a little sorry for Ukraine, I see a video of an armored vehicle with a balkenkreuz ( german cross) painted on it, firing at the Russians, and all my budding sympathy evaporates. Why? After two years why would Azov brigade continue to do things like this which only makes them appear to be exactly what Putin calls them??

[DarkoFitCoach]

Symbolic victory?
Minimizing enemies victories is a typical wartime propaganda

So tens of thousands of ukrainians died for a useless symbol? 😂

[lukilladog]

Not symbolic, it was an 8 year build up nato fortress with elite neonasty troops, now the rest of the army knows they have no chance whatsoever.

[johnwelsh]

There is nothing 'symbolic' about the Avdiivka catastrophe.

[johannespaulfrank]

The truth: There were a window of opportunity for Ukraine forces to leave Avdiivka, but "they" didn't allow it.

[bolatsabikhan]

Was worse than Bakhmut battle said one of the Ukrainian soldiers.

[lg]

0:26 Vadym the student is one brave man to be strolling down the streets of Kyev in broad daylight.

[trumpforever]

1) Bakhmut is a strategic fortress of our frontline in Donbas. We spent 10 years strengthening it with bunkers and tunnels with the help of top NATO advisors.
2) The situation is difficult but we will never abandon Bakhmut, we will defend it to the last man.
3) Bakhmut is not in the hands of the orcs, we still defend a house on the outskirts.
4) We have never considered Bakhmut important, the victory and conquest of the Russians is only symbolic but of no strategic interest.
5) Repeat the story from point (1) with Avdiivka and the other strategic places that will sooner or later fall into the hands of the Russians.

[dewberry]

To be an enemy of the US is dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal - Henry Kissinger . Ukrainians you should learn what happen to Iraq and Syria if your backer is the US government.

[pertwee]

The West using Ukraine to hammer Russia is like a blacksmith using a piece of timber to hammer an anvil. It's not ending well for the wood.

[StigFerrari]

Advieka, from where the Nazis were shelling markets and schools in Donetsk from 2014 until yesterday.
Many prisoners taken might regret having all those swastika tattoos now 👹

[wanderlust]

Actual title : "2 Ukrainians react"

[jman]

Look at all those young Ukrainian men not fighting for their country. The average age in the Ukraine military is 45 years old!!

[Jay-rovn]

Seems like they don't even care that their lads are being killed.

[dianegordon]

Sad that elderly gentleman did not seem to appreciate how many young Ukrainians are now buried there with his parents??🤨

[valeriem]

Symbolic victory???? Isnt the price too heavy for such symbolism???