 Russia suffered huge losses in the battle for the strategic town of Avdiyevka before ultimately capturing it. Ukrainian troops withdrew from the embattled town this weekend after intense fighting throughout the winter, the battle for Avdiyevka, in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, intensified in October and was a key target for the Russian military.On February 17, Russia said they had taken full control of Avdiyevka, and videos emerged of Russian flags being planted across the city. However, Russia paid a heavy price for the victory Russia lost more than 400 tanks and armored vehicles and likely thousands of personnel, per the UK Ministry of Defense. Ukraine claims more than 17,000 Russian soldiers were killed, capturing Avdiyevka. At least 30,000 Russian soldiers had been injured in the battle. Russia has suffered more than 13,000 troops killed and wounded and lost more than 220 combat vehicles while fighting near Avdiyevka and other cities, Adrian Watson, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council. Recall that the entire 10-year campaign in Afghanistan cost the USSR 15,000 lives and became one of the factors that destroyed the country.