British intelligence explains importance of Avdiivka Coke Plant for city defense

The British Ministry of Defense reports this on Twitter. 

British intelligence notes that over the past week, Russian troops have continued attacks on the outskirts of Avdiivka and have tried to encircle the town in Donetsk region.

"Avdiivka has been fought over for nearly a decade and holds political importance to Russia given its proximity to Donetsk city," the British intelligence explained. 

It suggested that Russian troops have made some progress and advanced to the Ukrainian-controlled Avdiivka Coke Plant, a sprawling industrial complex that produces coke and various chemicals and invaders a key tactical position north of the town.

"The plant dominates the main road into Avdiivka, and if Russian forces were to secure it, resupplying the town would become increasingly difficult for Ukraine. However, the industrial facility provides Ukraine with a localized defensive advantage and the Russian forces will probably suffer significant personnel losses if they attempt to assault the facility," the British intelligence concluded. 

• According to the morning report of Ukraine's General Staff of November 16, Russia keeps trying to surround Avdiivka, while Ukrainian soldiers are holding the line and inflicting significant losses on the invaders.