Russia claims control of another village near Avdeevka

The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces took control of the village of Orlovka west of Avdeevka and repelled several Ukrainian attacks in the area.

"In the Avdeevka direction, the Center Group (Tsentr) took control of the village of Orlovka and improved the situation along the front line," the Russian Defense Ministry said on March 19. Russian forces repelled six counterattacks by the Ukrainian 47th, 53rd and 56th Motorized Rifle Brigades in the vicinity.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian army lost 125 soldiers, two infantry fighting vehicles and five vehicles in the area. Russian forces returned fire and hit a US-made M109 Paladin, an Msta-B howitzer, two D-20s, a D-30 and an MT-12 Rapira anti-tank gun of Ukraine.

Location of the village of Orlovka in Donetsk region. Graphics: RYV

The Ukrainian military has not commented on the news that Russia has taken control of Orlovka. However, Ukrainian officials have acknowledged the difficult situation on the frontline and urged the West to fulfill its military aid pledge.

Taking control of Orlovka is the latest in a string of successes for Russian forces following the capture of Avdeevka. After losing the stronghold in Donetsk province, Ukraine was forced to retreat to the rear to defend.

Arms shipments from Europe are slowing, while the capacity of Ukraine’s defense industry is limited. A $60 billion US military aid package for Ukraine is stuck in the country’s Congress.

At an online press conference on March 19, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the delay in military aid had shocked Ukrainian officials. "March is almost over, but discussions about America's vital and strategic interests in Europe are not over yet," Mr. Kuleba said.

Russian BM-27 Uragan rocket launchers attack Ukrainian positions near Avdeevka on March 8. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, RIA Novosti, Reuters )

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