Vladimir Putin heard a report from Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu about the capture of Avdeyevka. The President congratulated Russian military personnel on this success and an important victory.
On February 17, the Centre force grouping of the Russian Federation Armed Forces, under the command of Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev, gained complete control over the town of Avdeyevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
The President of Russia sent greetings to Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev. The message reads, in part:
“Today, the Centre force grouping continued its offensive and gained complete control over the town of Avdeyevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
The following military units distinguished themselves during the battle for Avdeyevka: the 30th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade of the 2nd Army; the 35th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade, the 55th Separate Mountain Motor Rifle Brigade; the 74th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade of the 41st Army; the 1st Separate Motor Rifle Brigade, the 9th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade, the 114th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade, the 1454th Motor Rifle Regiment, the 10th Tank Regiment of the 1st Army Corps; the 6th Tank Regiment, the 80th Tank Regiment, and the 239th Tank Regiment of the 90th Tank Division and the Veterans Volunteer Brigade.
I offer my gratitude to all troops under your command who fought for Avdeyevka.
Eternal glory to the heroes killed in action while accomplishing the objectives of the special military operation.”