Russia deploys heavy artillery, sets up siege positions around "second Bakhmut" citadel

Russian military's multiple launch rocket system fires (Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense ).

In a statement on his personal Telegram page on April 10, Mr. Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of the military administration of the Donetsk region, accused the Russian army of conducting a raid on the city of Avdiivka, known as Ukraine's "second Bakhmut" stronghold.

"Russian troops have turned Avdiivka into rubble. Today, the city has suffered another enemy attack. A high-rise building has collapsed," Mr. Kyrylenko wrote.

The head of the Donetsk regional military administration confirmed that the attack did not cause any casualties as most of the residents of Avdiivka had been ordered to evacuate. However, about 1,800 people remained in this "hot pot" and they are facing the possibility of being surrounded by the Russian army at any time.

According to Defense Express , Moscow has recently deployed a very large force of up to 30 regiments to Avdiivka. These regiments are said to belong to the 1st Army Group of the Russian army. In addition, forces from the 1st, 9th, 114th and 200th Motorized Infantry Brigades, along with the 10th Tank Battalion and the 1454th Infantry Regiment, are present in the areas around Avdiivka.

These units received support from many heavy weapons, including T-80BV main battle tanks and many heavy artillery pieces. In particular, Russia brought to Avdiivka 2S4 Tulpan self-propelled howitzers with 240mm caliber. This is known as the most destructive howitzer in the world . In addition, Russian artillery at "second Bakhmut" is also equipped with BM-27 Uragan, Tornado-G and BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers. Powerful howitzers and self-propelled guns such as 2A36 Hyachinth-B or 2S1 Gvozdika have also been moved by Moscow to Avdiivka to form a firepower position to surround this city.

With an important strategic position in Ukraine's defense line in Donetsk, the Russian army has recently launched continuous attacks on the city of Avdiivka.

The overall situation of the battlefield in Ukraine (left) and the Eastern front (Graphic: ISW).

Observers say that along with Bakhmut, Avdiivka will become a major battlefield in Donetsk in the coming days. The Ukrainian army is still trying to organize defenses and claims to have repelled many Russian attacks in the past week.

However, the head of the Donetsk regional military administration, Pavlo Kyrylenko, admitted that the fighting in Avdiivka is still extremely tense. In a statement on April 10, he called on the remaining residents of the city to immediately evacuate to ensure safety.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nga-dieu-trong-phao-lap-tran-dia-bao-vay-thanh-tri-bakhmut-thu-hai-20230411155154821.htm