Russian forces pulled up heavy military equipment on the Donetsk region front line, a Ukrainian drone operator said on February 17.“The offensive began and heavy equipment pulled up again at a closer distance. Now we can fly to this equipment freely,” said Volodymyr, preparing a drone for combat operation.The fall of Avdiivka is Russia's biggest gain since capturing the city of Bakhmut in May 2023 and comes almost two years to the day since President Vladimir Putin triggered a full-scale war by ordering the invasion of Ukraine.Ukraine said it had withdrawn its soldiers to save troops from being fully surrounded after months of fierce fighting. Putin hailed the fall of Avdiivka as an important victory and congratulated Russian troops.