- Russian forces are escalating their attack on the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka.
- Ukraine's mayor said large Russian forces were “coming in from all directions.”
- Russian and Ukrainian forces are fighting in the city, officials said.
The situation in the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka is critical, Ukrainian officials said, as Russian forces surrounded the city and escalated a months-long offensive.
“Unfortunately, the enemy is coming from all sides. They are attacking with a very large army,” said Mayor Vitaly Barabash. Said Thursday's Kiev Post.
He said the Russian military was mainly using artillery, airstrikes and soldiers on foot to attack because Russian tanks and armored vehicles were unable to cross the soft ground.
He said the fighting was “very hot” and “very difficult.”
This battle is important. The capture of Avdiivka would be a much-needed propaganda victory for Russia ahead of the second anniversary of the Russian invasion and presidential elections in March that are expected to see Putin return to power.
Mayor Barabash pointed out that less than 950 residents remain in the town, which had an estimated pre-war population of about 33,000.
Ukrainian military spokesman Dmytro Likhovy told state television on Thursday that the clashes occurred in a residential area in the north of the city. Within the town itself, Reuters reported.
Likhovy said Russian troops were massing in the northern part of the city to cut off the only road supplying Ukrainian forces in the city.
He said the situation was “difficult but controllable.” According to the latest reports, Avdiivka remains in Ukrainian hands.
Russia launched a costly offensive on Avdiivka in October, costing huge numbers of personnel, weapons and equipment in the process.
Russians were probably experiencing the following proportions: 13 losses per Ukrainian soldier, Forbes previously estimated based on vehicle losses.
Russian warplanes carry out up to 50 attacks a day with powerful guided bombs, but Ukraine's air defenses force them to attack from greater distances, making their attacks less accurate, Britain says. Announced by the Ministry of Defense. Intelligence updates.
On Thursday, the Ukrainian military claimed to have shot down one of Russia's prized Ka-52 “Alligator” attack helicopters using manned man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) in the Avdiivka area.
Russia is focusing its war efforts on the city, which is seen as a gateway to occupying the entire Donetsk region.
The British Ministry of Defense observed urban fighting taking place in the city.
Frontelligence Insight, an open source research group with suspected ties to the Ukrainian military, said in a recent report: , But when? “
