"Thank you to the fighters for the worthy battle they gave the enemy in Avdiivka, under conditions of total numerical superiority of the Russians in manpower, equipment, and ammunition. You did everything, and even more. Thank you for the resilience of each one.

We are moving to prepared positions to return and deliver an even stronger blow. Thank you to the command for the thoughtful decision. The fight continues." wrote Andriy Biletsky.

In the evening of February 16, Tarnavsky reported that the Russians are throwing all their reserves into the assault on Avdiivka, carrying out artillery shelling and massive bombing raids, practically wiping the city off the face of the earth.