Russia says it has crushed last pocket of resistance in Avdiivka

An aerial view of the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant in eastern Ukraine (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

Russian forces have completed their takeover of Avdiivka by eliminating the last pocket of resistance at the eastern Ukraine city’s huge coke plant, the Russian military said on Monday, after the sheer weight of its troop numbers and greater firepower drove out Kyiv’s forces.

Moscow officials announced on Saturday said they had taken control of Avdiivka. Ukrainian forces confirmed pulling out of the bombed-out city in what amounted to a triumph for the Kremlin even though the four-month battle was costly.