Russia says it crushed last pocket of resistance

Russian forces have taken complete control of the Ukrainian city. Pic/AP

Russian forces have completed their takeover of Avdiivka by eliminating the last pocket of resistance at the eastern Ukraine city's huge coke plant, the Russian military said Monday, after the sheer weight of its troop numbers and greater firepower drove out Kyiv's forces.

Moscow officials announced Saturday they had taken control of Avdiivka. Ukrainian forces confirmed pulling out of the bombed-out city in what amounted to a triumph for the Kremlin even though the four-month battle was costly.

The victory was a morale boost for Russia, days ahead of the two-year anniversary of its full-scale invasion of its neighbor on February 24 2022. For Ukraine, the loss underscored its reliance on the supply of Western weapons and ammunition, as hold-ups have left it short of provisions and handicapped in the fight.

Mother denied access to morgue

The mother of Russian Oppn leader Alexei Navalny on Monday was denied access to a morgue where his body was kept after his death, and Navalny's allies accused authorities of trying to hide evidence. Lyudmila Navalnaya has been told cause of her son's death remains unknown.

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