AVDEYEVKA, February 22. /TASS/. Ukraine’s armed forces turned almost every cellar in Avdeyevka into a depot of imported ammunition, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"Forcing its way and moving to the center of the town was the task of the 55th guards brigade," the ministry noted. The assault groups pressed forward along multiple axes. The main forces made their way along Sobornaya Street.

"There were the enemy’s fire units in almost every house, with chains of dug-out and cover positions nearby and military equipment sheltered among houses. Almost every cellar was turned into an ammunition depot [containing] mortar bombs, hand-held grenade launchers, tins with ammo, grenades to grenade launchers, with most weapons and supplies revealed being of foreign production," according to the statement.

When fleeing Avdeyevka the Ukrainian military left a lot of evidence confirming the participation of mercenaries from the US, Canada and EU countries in military actions on Ukraine’s side, the ministry added.

"Servicemen of Center battlegroup noted that when fleeing its positions, the enemy left a lot of evidence confirming the direct participation of mercenaries from the US, Canada and EU countries in the Ukrainian army’s nationalist divisions," the statement reads.

Servicemen of the 55th guards brigade of the Central military district showed the way the assault groups used to get to Avdeyevka’s center, according to the ministry.

"Servicemen of the 55th guards motor rifle (mountain) brigade of the Central military district showed the way the assault groups used to get to the city center, as well as the Ukrainian army’s positions and trophy arms left by the Ukrainian units when moving away from Avdeyevka," the ministry said.

One of the most violent battles took place near the town’s railway station where the most effective units of the Ukrainian armed forces were deployed, the ministry noted.

On February 17, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu informed Russian President Vladimir Putin about Avdeyevka coming under the full control of the Russian army. The Russian Defense Ministry stressed that the information about the advance of the Russian troops was not made public until the Ukrainian forces were completely defeated. Avdeyevka is west of Yasinovataya, from where Ukrainian forces also shelled nearby Donetsk and Makeyevka.