MOSCOW, Feb 18 — Russian troops have established full control over the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka and have advanced 8.6 kilometres in that part of the front line, Russian news agencies reported today, citing the defence ministry.

Russia claimed the capture of the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka after Ukraine withdrew, but Moscow said that some Ukrainian troops were still holed up in a vast Soviet-era coke plant after one of the most intense battles of the war. — Reuters