Experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have suggested that Ukrainian units are currently "conducting a relatively controlled withdrawal" from Avdiivka. Source: ISW Details: Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated on the night of 16-17 February that he had ordered Ukrainian forces in Avdiivka to withdraw to more advantageous defensive positions to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives of Ukrainian servicemen.