Ukraine Successfully Defends Against Russian Attack in Avdiivka
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has announced that Ukrainian forces have successfully repelled a new Russian onslaught on the town of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine. Despite heavy fighting, Ukrainian troops have managed to hold their ground and inflict heavy losses on the Russian forces.
During a visit to the southern region of Kherson, President Zelenskiy praised the bravery and resilience of Ukrainian soldiers, saying, Thanks to all our boys, who powerfully hold the defense and destroy the occupier day after day. He also mentioned that the Russian losses have been staggering and emphasized that Ukraine needs these losses to continue in order to reclaim its territory.
The Russian assault on Avdiivka has reportedly resulted in record losses in terms of personnel and equipment, according to Zelenskiy’s office. However, specific details about the extent of these losses have not been provided and Reuters has been unable to verify the situation on the battlefield.
Both sides have been exaggerating each other’s losses since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. The Ukrainian military has reported that fighting is intensifying along the front line, with approximately 90 combat clashes occurring in the past 24 hours. This represents an increase from an average of 60 daily clashes observed a week ago.
General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, who leads Ukraine’s operations in the south, has reported heavy attacks from both sides. He stated that Ukrainian forces conducted 1,500 firing missions within a day, but did not provide data on Ukraine’s losses. According to General Tarnavskyi, Russia has lost 1,051 people, 143 pieces of military equipment, and one ammunition depot. Vitaliy Barabash, head of the Avdiivka military administration, described the situation as difficult but remarked that Ukrainian soldiers are holding out and repelling the Russian attacks.
Avdiivka, known for its large coking plant, has been under attack for a considerable period of time and has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance. It is also seen as a gateway to the nearby Russian-held city of Donetsk. While Ukrainian forces have been making slow progress in their counteroffensive against Russian-held territories, Russia has responded with intensified attacks on Avdiivka and the town of Kupiansk, located to the north. The aim of these attacks, according to Kyiv, is to draw in Ukrainian troops from other fronts and gain ground before the arrival of winter.
The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S. research group, has suggested that Ukrainian forces have made a breakthrough on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson. However, the Ukrainian government has not commented on this report, and President Zelenskiy, who also visited the southern region of Mylokaiv, did not provide any details about the situation in Kherson.
It should be noted that Ukraine recaptured parts of the Kherson region late last year after months of Russian occupation. However, Russian forces retreated to the other side of the Dnipro and continue to shell Kherson from there. Ukrainian troops also regained control of Kupiansk last year.
In conclusion, Ukraine’s defense forces have successfully repelled a new Russian assault in Avdiivka. While both sides claim significant losses, the exact extent of these losses remains unconfirmed. The situation in eastern Ukraine continues to escalate, with intensified fighting reported along the front line. The Ukrainian government is determined to hold its ground and resist the Russian occupation, but challenges persist as winter approaches.
