Ukraine War 11/18: Kiev shows signs of breaking down in southern Avdiivka

The war in Ukraine is about to enter winter (Illustration: Skynews).

Russia raises flags in new locations, Ukraine shows signs of breaking down in south Avdiivka

According to Ayden channel, Russian forces continuously raised flags at a series of newly won positions around Avdiivka.

In particular, Moscow forces have made great advances near industrial zones and weekend resorts in the south of the city. Currently, on the southern flank, Russia has taken control of most of the industrial zone, and the Ukrainian army shows signs of breaking down and continuously retreating.

Russia is actively attacking, fierce fighting continues in the old industrial area and near the village of Severny. Russian soldiers have captured several buildings, including the largest one, southeast of Avdiivka. Ukrainian troops have been forced to retreat to other buildings.

Map of the Ukrainian war in South Avdiivka as of November 17 (Photo: Telegram).

North of Avdiivka, Russia is actively advancing towards Ocheretino and Novokalinovoye and consolidating newly won positions. Over the past 24 hours, Moscow forces have advanced more than 1 km along the front line. Active fighting continues at Stepovoy (Petrovsky), with Kiev troops doing their best to stop the enemy.

Advances are underway in the area of ​​the Avleevsky Coke and Chemical Plant and south of the dump. The Russian operational intention is to capture the V-shaped angle northwest of Krasnogorovka and the heights there in order to firmly hold the pincer position north of Avdiivka.

Map of the Ukrainian war in the north of Avdiivka as of November 17 (Photo: Telegram).

Russia regains position at Pyatikhatki, Ukraine's summer counter-offensive results fade

According to Geroman channel, Mr. Vladimir Rogov, a senior official of the Zaporizhia regional government appointed by Russia, announced on November 17 that Moscow forces, after many days of fighting, had regained positions in the Pyatikhatki village area.

Thus, the gains of Ukraine’s counter-offensive efforts over the summer are fading. Kiev’s forces are said to have suffered heavy losses, and are stretched on multiple fronts along a frontline of more than 1,000km.

Russia continuously launched strong attacks in many places, causing Ukrainian forces to be confused, patching up one place and then breaking another.

Map of the Ukrainian war in the Pyatikhatki area of ​​the Zaporizhia region as of November 17 (Photo: Geroman).

Ukraine says Russia suffered nearly 3,500 casualties on Dnieper River

The Ukrainian Marine Corps said on November 17 that Russian forces had lost nearly 3,500 soldiers, including more than 1,200 killed, along with dozens of pieces of equipment, in battles on the Dnieper River near Kherson, Kyiv Independent reported.

"The Ukrainian Defense Forces have carried out a series of successful actions on the eastern bank of the Dnieper in the Kherson direction," they wrote on Facebook.

As of November 16, Russian forces operating in the area had suffered 1,216 deaths, 2,217 injuries, and lost 24 tanks, 48 ​​armored vehicles, 89 artillery and mortar systems, 135 other vehicles, 9 multiple launch rocket systems, and 14 boats.

Ukraine has been carrying out attacks on the Russian-controlled Kherson region, east of the Dnieper, since February, then intensifying them further in August.

In recent weeks, Russian bloggers have reported that Kiev forces have established strong positions on the left bank, and geolocated footage has confirmed the presence of Kiev troops in Krynky. Russia has acknowledged that Ukraine has been operating on the east bank in areas under its control.

The Guardian reported that President Volodymyr Zelensky published photos of Kiev soldiers on the left bank of the Dnieper on his Telegram account.

He praised his soldiers: "The left bank of Kherson. Our warriors. Thank you for your strength and for moving forward! Glory to each and everyone who is demanding freedom and justice for Ukraine!".

Earlier on Friday, November 17, the Ukrainian marines said in a statement on social media that they had carried out a series of successful operations on the left bank of the Dnieper in Kherson. Ukraine is hoping to establish positions on the eastern side of the river to advance further towards Crimea.

ISW: Russia moves closer to Avdiivka in Donetsk region and closer to Urozhainy in Zaporizhia

Ukrainska Pravda reported that the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said on November 17 that Russia had conducted offensive operations near Avdiivka and confirmed the attack. In addition, the Russian attack east of Urozhainy (9km south of Velikaya Novoselka) was also confirmed.

Geolocated imagery released by ISW on November 16 shows Russia making little progress in the southeastern industrial region of Avdiivka.

The Ukrainian General Staff said Russia had unsuccessfully attacked near Keramik, Stepnoy and Avdiivka, east of Novobakhmutovka and south of Tonenky.

On November 16-17, Russian sources reported that fighting continued south of Severny, Krasnogorovka in the direction of Novokalinovo, near Stepnoy, Severny, the Avdiivka industrial zone and coal plant.

Ukrainian soldiers operate on the Dnieper River in the Kherson region on November 17 (Photo: President Zelensky/Telergam).

Ukraine repels 6 Russian attacks in Kherson

Ukrainska Pravda reported that the General Staff of the Kiev Armed Forces said on the evening of November 17 that on the left bank of the Dnieper in the direction of Kherson, their forces continued to hold their positions, repelling six enemy attacks.

The Ukrainian General Staff wrote: "On the left side of the Dnieper River in the direction of Kherson, thanks to the courage and professionalism of the Ukrainian marines, in cooperation with other units, they have gained a foothold on a number of bridgeheads. The Defense Forces continue to hold the gained lines, repelled six enemy attacks and are taking measures to expand the bridgeheads."

Netherlands announces $2 billion military aid to Ukraine by 2024

Reuters reported that Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said on November 17 that the country will spend 2 billion euros (2.2 billion USD) to provide military support to Kiev next year.

“With this significant amount of money, we send a clear signal that we are determined to continue to support Ukraine, now and in the future,” Ollongren said.

Speaking to Reuters earlier in the day, Ollongren said the additional $2.2 billion military aid pledge was crucial, saying it would “guarantee our support to Kiev and maintain continuity”, ahead of November elections in the Netherlands.

Reuters quoted Ollongren as detailing the new defense aid based on Kiev's needs and that advanced drone technology could be included in the aid package.

According to the Germany-based Kiel Institute, the Netherlands has so far provided 4 billion euros in military, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since the outbreak of the conflict.

The Netherlands is also one of the countries training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft.

Ukraine is in dire need of F-16 fighters to change the game (Photo: Sky News).

Zelensky: Supply of artillery shells to Kiev has decreased

The Kyiv Independent reported that President Volodymyr Zelensky said on November 16 that supplies of artillery shells to Kiev from Western allies had decreased since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict. In particular, supplies of much-needed 155mm artillery shells had “really slowed down,” he said.

Zelensky added that Washington had not officially said it would stop or reduce the amount of artillery shells going to Ukraine, but instead "everyone is scrambling to (stockpile) them for themselves."

"This is life. I'm not saying it's a positive thing, but this is life and we have to protect what is ours," he said.

Axios cited comments from Israeli officials that 155mm artillery shells originally intended for Ukraine are being redirected to Israel.

“Let’s be frank: the crisis in the Middle East has had a lasting impact on our policy in Ukraine,” said Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat .

Meanwhile, the US Congress has not made any progress in discussions on a new funding bill for Kiev for months.

How big is the Russian army in Ukraine?

The Russian military in Ukraine is more than twice the size of the force it sent into combat nearly two years ago, despite suffering hundreds of thousands of casualties, according to a new report from the Kyiv Post .

Moreover, despite the hundreds of Russian soldiers being taken out of action every day, the Kremlin has been able to maintain its army for a long time, despite the losses.

But one factor will be crucial - the Kremlin will need to convince recruits that the situation on the front line is much better than it actually is - just not too good.

A new report says Moscow's strength inside Ukraine now exceeds 400,000 troops, and even casualties of 800-1,000 a day during the heaviest fighting are unlikely to significantly reduce that number.

Every month about 20,000-25,000 people are transferred to Russian training centers while the average loss is 15,000-20,000 people per month.

So despite losing so many soldiers, how does the Kremlin continue to attract men?

Along with paying high salaries to residents in poor regions with high unemployment, Kremlin generals have succeeded in finding enough replacements by publicizing the story of the Russian military's continued success in Ukraine.

Russia massively attacks Ukraine's energy centers

Thousands of people living near the frontline have lost power after Russia attacked energy facilities, the Ukrainian government said, the Guardian reported.

The country's energy ministry said in a statement that recent shelling in the southern city of Kherson had left more than 28,000 people without power. The agency said transmission lines in the eastern Donetsk region had been completely cut and 122 settlements remained without electricity.

Last winter, Russia’s systematic targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure left millions without light or heat. Temperatures in Ukraine regularly drop below freezing during the winter months.

President Zelensky said this week that Western support had allowed Kiev to improve its air defense capabilities, although he added that the country was still not 100% protected.

According to Guardian, Reuters, Kyiv Post, Kyiv Independent, Ukrainska Pravda, Rybar, Ayden, Geroman

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/chien-su-ukraine-1811-kiev-co-dau-hieu-vo-tran-o-nam-avdiivka-20231118120359676.htm