Russian paratroopers fighting in Ukraine (Photo: Reuters).
Russia takes control of Stepovoye, Ukrainian stronghold in northwest Avdiivka collapses
According to Geroman channel, on November 11, Ukrainian forces attempted to counterattack the northwestern flank of Avdiivka from Novokalinovo but failed. After suffering heavy losses in human lives and equipment, they were forced to retreat to their original positions.
Ukraine used Leopard 2A6 tanks to attack enemy positions but then quickly withdrew, trying to slow Moscow's advance.
Meanwhile, Russian forces are said to have taken control of Stepovoye. Other sources say that they actually control the village but have not stationed troops there because they want to avoid the Ukrainians having the coordinates ready, just waiting for the enemy to enter and then unleash a barrage of fire.
This tactic is often used by Moscow and perhaps Kiev has recently started to follow suit. To counter this tactic, Russia must move around, ensuring that the area of control is out of range of enemy fire, especially artillery and mortar positions.
Russian reserves were deployed to the site of the clash. The northern flank continued to develop successfully in this direction. On the southern flank, Russia continued to attack the mineral area.
Map of the Ukrainian war in Avdiivka as of November 11 (Photo: Telegram).
According to Rybar, there are no significant changes on the southern flank, Russian units control a number of strongholds, improve tactical positions. The Ukrainian command continues to mobilize additional forces to hold the city at all costs.
Developments of the war in Ukraine on several other fronts
According to Rybar channel, on the approach to Kupyansk , Ukraine tried to regain previously lost positions in the Timkovka area, but failed. In addition, Ukraine repeatedly attacked the forest belt near Kremennaya, but was repelled by Russia.
In the Soledar direction, in the Kleshchiivka area, Moscow forces continue to push back the enemy. According to some reports, the Russians have reached the western outskirts of the settlement. However, it seems that, as in the village of Stepovoye in Avdiivka, the Russian forces have not entered the village itself, as it is almost completely destroyed and there is no shelter in the ruins.
The fighting situation in the Vremevsk area has not changed significantly. The sides conduct reconnaissance of each other and carry out artillery attacks. There are no large-scale offensive attempts, and special forces groups are operating.
In the Orekhov region, Moscow forces launched a local offensive in the Pyatikhatki region, there is currently no information about the specific success and scale of the offensive. Artillery and aircraft are actively operating, and Ukraine is using cluster bombs.
The situation is difficult in the Kherson direction, especially in Krynki. Ukraine maintains its presence on the left bank despite massive enemy attacks by all means at its disposal. According to some reports, Ukraine is trying to cut the highway to Aleshki, aiming to capture the forest belts near Krynki.
Map of the Ukraine war as of November 11 (Photo: Rybar).
Newsweek: The Fall of Avdiivka Is Only a Matter of Time
According to Newsweek , Anton Kotsukon, spokesman for the 110th Mechanized Brigade, said: "They brought about 40,000 people here with ammunition... We see no signs that Moscow has abandoned its plan to encircle Avdiivka."
Mr Kotsukon said Russian forces surrounded Avdiivka from three sides and were playing a cat-and-mouse game and deploying large numbers of drones to weaken Kiev's defenses.
According to the rules of the game, to win, the attackers need to outnumber their forces by about 3:1. Considering that the Ukrainian forces in Avdivka number around 15,000, it seems that Moscow is well prepared for this attack. With a 2:1 drone ratio, as well as an artillery ratio of no less than 5:1 and air superiority, it is only a matter of time before Kiev forces in Avdiivka fall.
Ukraine war map shows gains and losses this week
Moscow continued its assault this week on Avdiivka, just north of the regional capital of Donetsk, Newsweek reported. The strategic city remains surrounded on three sides, according to the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Moscow launched a surprise attack on the city in October after a Ukrainian counteroffensive made only modest progress, failing to reach the Black Sea and sever Russia's land bridge to Crimea.
Both Russia and Ukraine have launched attacks this week in an attempt to break the increasingly apparent stalemate in the conflict. The latest ISW report, released on November 10, said Moscow had attacked the Avdiivka Coke Plant in the north, along with Sieverne and Tonenke in the west of the city.
ISW believes that the Russians are trying to “create a cauldron around Avdiivka,” making it difficult for Ukraine to maintain its forces in the rear areas and thus putting the city at risk of falling. However, according to ISW, there were reports that Ukraine launched a local counterattack on November 10, regaining some of the territory it had lost around Avdiivka.
Ukraine's Chief of the General Staff Valerii Zaluzhny said Russia had lost more than 100 tanks and about 50 artillery systems in Avdiivka over the past month, along with 10,000 casualties.
Newsweek has not been able to independently verify these reports and has reached out to the Russian and Ukrainian defense ministries for comment via email but has not received a response.
Kyiv Independent reported that Oleksandr Shtupun, spokesman for Ukraine's Tavria group, said on television on November 11 that Russian forces were once again more active near Avdiivka.
"The enemy became more active in the Avdiivka direction. In addition to infantry, they also used a significant number of armored vehicles," Mr. Shtupun said.
According to the spokesman, Ukrainian forces repelled 35 Russian attacks on Avdiivka and neighboring settlements.
As a result, Russian losses have also increased sharply. Shtupun said that in the area of responsibility of the Tavria group, the Russian casualty rate has increased by almost 30% compared to the previous days. According to the Ukrainian side, Russian forces have lost about 10,000 soldiers, more than 100 tanks, more than 250 other armored vehicles and 7 Su-25 aircraft in the past month in Avdiivka.
Russian armored tank convoy attacked by Ukraine
Ukrainian drone boats in action
The Ukrainian navy's fleet of unmanned boats, launched thanks to an international crowdfunding campaign, has attacked eight important Russian targets in its first year of operation, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said on Facebook on November 11, Kyiv Independent reported.
The fleet of unmanned boats was launched through the crowdfunding platform United24, which has so far raised Hr500 million ($13.9 million) for 50 unmanned vehicles at sea.
The first attack took place in October 2022, when unmanned sea boats attacked the Russian ships Admiral Makarov and Ivan Golubets.
Most recently, unmanned boats were used in an attack on November 10, sinking two Russian high-speed landing craft based in Crimea.
Ukraine regains control and raises flag in village of Kharkov
Kyiv Independent reported that the State Border Service of Ukraine reported that on November 11, their forces regained control of the village of Topoli in Kharkiv province and raised the national flag there.
“We are always ready to defend our land and destroy the enemy,” the Steel Border Unit said. During Moscow’s 2022 offensive, the village was controlled by the enemy from the start.
Why Russia must rely on frontal infantry attacks
Russia is relying on “frontal infantry attacks” due to its loss of equipment and lack of trained personnel, according to analysts at the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrainiska Pravda reported.
According to ISW, one source said that Russia has no way to train enough soldiers for the intense frontal attacks that would be needed to make significant progress in Ukraine.
Another said the Russian army is about to experience a "real renaissance in infantry combat" as it has fewer tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and armored vehicles closer to the front line.
In another analysis, ISW said Russian troops had advanced into the vicinity of Stepnoye, 3 km northwest of Avdiivka. Russian forces also took positions on the railway line, allowing their forces to gain tactical advantages at Stepnoye.
The Russian military is trying to create a cauldron around Avdiivka, thereby depriving the Ukrainian forces of the opportunity to hold positions in the rear areas in the direction of Avdiivka.
On 10 November, Russian forces continued their offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatovo-Kremennaya line, with little confirmed progress recently. Geolocation footage released showed Russian forces advancing slightly southwest of Petropavlovka, 7km east of Kupyansk.
Additionally, on November 10, Ukraine continued offensive operations on the southern flank of Bakhmut and confirmed minor progress.
Map of the Ukrainian war in the Avdiivka area as of November 11 (Photo: ISW).
Zelensky: Defense forces will respond to Russia in Kherson
Ukrainska Pravda reported that in his evening speech on November 11, President Zelensky noted that the Defense Forces will respond to Russian shelling of Kherson and the region.
"Of course, our security and defense forces will respond to Russian attacks on Kherson and villages in the Kherson region," he said.
The President also noted that a day earlier he signed a decree on state awards to Ukrainian soldiers and civilians who distinguished themselves while defending the Kherson region.
Kiev comes under attack for the first time since September
The Guardian reported that Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that Kiev had been hit by airstrikes and there were loud explosions on the morning of November 11. There was no immediate information about casualties or damage.
Loud explosions were heard in the capital and Ukrainian air defense forces opened fire to intercept Russian ballistic missiles.
An air strike warning for Kiev and the surrounding area was issued just minutes before the explosion was heard. City authorities urged residents to stay in shelters.
This is the first time since September that Kiev has been attacked by Russia.
Ukraine signals readiness for long-term conflict
The Guardian reports that the Ukrainian counter-offensive has stalled, with progress on two main axes on the southern front being modest. Kiev’s forces have advanced to within 10km of Velyka Novosilka to the south and 9km of Orekhov to the south, with no prospect of a breakthrough as the weather turns.
Last week, the reality was acknowledged by General Zaluzhny, chief of the Ukrainian General Staff. “As in the first world war, we have reached a technological level that puts us in a stalemate,” he said in an interview with the Economist .
Gen Zaluzhnyi said Ukraine had been unable to break through Russia’s dense minefields, which were 15km to 20km deep. The Zemledeliye truck-based remote minelaying system could lay minefields much faster than Ukrainian sappers could clear them, and the concern was that with more time, Russia could develop a deep trench system that extended beyond its existing fortified positions.
“We all hoped to make more progress than we have,” said Yury Sak, a former adviser to Ukraine’s defense ministry. “We now hope to take control of Tokmak,” a strategic town on the road to Melitopol, which is still 20km south of Ukraine’s furthest point of advance. To break the Russian land bridge at Melitopol, Kiev’s forces would need to advance another 70km to the southwest.
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