"Russia's Aggressive Moves in Ukraine Escalate After Avdiivka"

Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the military to prepare for further advances into Ukraine following the fall of the town of Avdiivka, where he claimed Ukrainian troops fled in chaos. Putin emphasized the need to treat captured Ukrainian soldiers in accordance with international conventions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba blamed the U.S. Congress' delay in approving a large aid package for the loss of Avdiivka, warning that Russia does not intend to pause or withdraw. The conflict in Ukraine has intensified, with both sides reporting casualties and losses as Moscow seeks to grind down Ukrainian forces.