MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin, having heard Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu's report on the liberation of Avdeyevka in the Kremlin, congratulated the Russian military on this success and important victory, Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has told the media.

"In the Kremlin Vladimir Putin heard Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu’s report on the capture of Avdeyevka. The President congratulated our military personnel, our fighters upon such an important victory and such a success," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed gratitude to all Russian units that took part in liberating Avdeyevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic.

"The following formations and military units distinguished themselves in the battles for Avdeyevka: the 30th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 2nd Army; the 35th separate motorized rifle brigade, the 55th separate motorized rifle brigade (mountain), the 74th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 41st army; the 1st separate motorized rifle brigade, 9th separate motorized rifle brigade, 114th separate motorized rifle brigade, the 1454th motorized rifle regiment, the10th tank regiment of the 1st army corps; the 6th tank regiment, the 80th tank regiment, the 239th tank regiment of the 90th tank division. For excellent military operations, I express my gratitude to all the troops led by you, which took part in the battles for Avdeyevka," Putin said in a telegram to the commander of the Center force grouping Col. Gen. Andrey Mordvichev, who led the operation.

In the Kremlin earlier today, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu reported to Putin on the complete seizure of Avdeyevka by the group of forces Center under the command of Colonel-General Andrey Mordvichev. This town near Donetsk was a major fortified stronghold of the Ukrainian military. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, as a result of the operation an area of 31.75 square kilometers was liberated. The enemy's losses in the battle for Avdeyevka during the past 24 hours exceeded 1,500. The liberation of the town has pushed the front line away from Donetsk.