Ukrainian town of Avdiivka falls into Russian control

Russia has made a significant gain in its invasion of Ukraine following the capture of a town described as a strategic “gateway” to the nearby Russian-occupied city of Donetsk.

Russian forces managed to take full control of a huge Soviet-era coke plant in the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka over the weekend.

Ukrainian troops withdrew from the area on Saturday, blaming the strategic retreat on a shortage of ammunition.

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A Ukrainian infantry unit was rushed in last week to help, but they say they were vastly outnumbered.

Russia has not given details of its losses, but Ukrainian officials and Western military analysts say the advance came at a staggering cost of personnel and armoured vehicles.

The fall of Avdiivka comes almost two years to the day since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine.