Ukraine breaks Russian siege in Avdiivka

Ukrainian soldiers open fire near Avdiivka on November 8 (Photo: Reuters).

According to a report released on November 19 by the US-based ISW, Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to clash on the battlefields in eastern and southern Ukraine despite adverse weather slowing the advance.

The report also pointed out that Ukraine began counterattacking and made progress near Avdiivka to break the Russian siege.

Geolocated images released on November 19 show Ukrainian forces approaching the railway line, southeast of the village of Stepove, 3km from Avdiivka.

A Russian military blogger said that the Ukrainian side had regained some positions near the railway and counterattacked near the Avdiivka coal plant.

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Avdiivka but made no progress on November 19.

Earlier, some Russian military bloggers said that Russia had attacked in the industrial zone, the southeastern suburb of Avdiivka, the Avdiivka coal plant area, the railway station and the northwestern Krasnohorivka.

A blogger said that units of the Russian 114th Rifle Brigade and Storm-Z units had made progress near Tsarska Okhota, south of Avdiivka. However, sources familiar with Russian military operations later denied this.

According to the Ukrainian General Staff, Russian forces unsuccessfully attacked the Novokalynove area, about 13km northeast of Avdiivka, 9km northwest of Novobakhmutivka and 6km west of Sieverne.

Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun, spokesman for Ukraine's Tavriia Forces, said Russia had suffered heavy losses near Avdiivka and was forced to mobilize additional replacement forces.

For months, Russia has not given up on its goal of encircling the Avdiivka area. This is a strategic stronghold of Ukraine. If it captures Avdiivka, Russia can expand its offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Avdiivka is currently one of the hottest fronts in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Fighting continues in both eastern and southern Ukraine, although adverse weather conditions have begun to slow the advance.

Ukraine's military says Russia is assembling reserve forces on the Bakhmut front in the east, preparing for a new offensive to retake lost positions.

"On the Bakhmut front, the situation remains very tense. The enemy (Russia) switched from defense to offense two weeks ago and is trying to regain lost positions," Ukrainian Ground Forces spokesman Volodymyr Fito said on November 20.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has dragged on for nearly two years with no end in sight. The prolonged fighting has fueled speculation that Western allies and partners are starting to tire of providing aid to Ukraine.

However, during a surprise visit to Kiev yesterday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declared that Washington would continue to support Ukraine.

On this occasion, Secretary Austin announced a new military aid package worth 100 million USD for Kiev, including HIMARS rocket artillery systems, Stinger air defense missiles, TOW anti-tank missiles, a number of other systems along with additional ammunition.

Secretary Austin said he believes the Ukrainian military is ready for winter operations and has the means to succeed.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/ukraine-pha-vong-vay-cua-nga-o-avdiivka-20231121061448722.htm