Russian President Putin congratulates servicemen for capture of Ukraine's Avdiivka

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated military units and their commander on Saturday on the capture of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, Russian news agencies reported.

"For outstanding military activity, I express my gratitude to all troops under your direction who took part in battles for Avdiivka," the agencies quoted Putin as saying in a telegram to the commander of the "centre" group of troops in Ukraine.

The telegram listed units taking part in the operation.