Espreso. Global
Exclusive

Despite Russian offensive's third wave in Avdiivka, Ukrainian Armed Forces repel significant number of invaders – National Guard reserve major

26 November, 2023 Sunday
13:28

Russian troops have launched a third wave of their offensive on Avdiivka. These “meatgrinder assaults” offer Ukraine's Armed Forces (ZSU) the chance to eliminate substantial volumes of Russian military personnel and equipment

client/title.list_title

Oleksiy Hetman, a veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war and reserve major of the National Guard, shared it on Espreso.

"The Russians initiated a third wave of the offensive. In the initial waves, they targeted flanks, specifically through Sieverne, Pervomaiske, Vesele, and Kamianka. Now, they're also attempting direct, 'head-on' attacks. These human wave “meat” assaults allow us to eliminate a significant number of their personnel and equipment," he stated.

He mentioned the possibility of Ukrainian garrison in Avdiivka being surrounded, though the likelihood is not very high.

"If leadership perceives a genuine threat of encirclement, and not just fire control, there will be a command to withdraw," Hetman added.

He highlighted Avdiivka's political importance for Russians.

"Have the Russians taken the coke plant? They can say anything. The head of the Avdiivka military-civilian administration, Vitaliy Barabash, stated that the number of Russians attacking there is overwhelming. They are everywhere. The use of heavy bombs and airstrikes has left the coke plant almost completely destroyed, making defense less convenient than when it resembled a fortress; now it's in ruins," noted the reserve major.

Despite the challenging situation, the influx of Russian personnel and equipment currently allows the Ukrainian Armed Forces to maintain their defensive stance.

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine are not retreating to Orlivka or Berdychiv, to already prepared positions. They continue to hold the defense, as the primary objective in any war is to destroy the enemy's forces," summarized Hetman.

  • On November 22, Vitaliy Barabash, head of Avdiivka's military administration, stated that Ukraine's Armed Forces were holding a defensive line in the Avdiivka area, with no reported breakthroughs.
  • The following day, there were reports that the Russian occupying army persisted in its efforts to encircle Avdiivka. Consequently, they initiated a third wave of assaults in the Avdiivka direction.
  • Major Maksym Morozov highlighted that Russia was launching attacks on Avdiivka from all sides, focusing particularly on the industrial zone.
  • On November 25, General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the Tavria operational-strategic troop group, said that despite heightened infantry activity, Russia had decreased airstrikes in the Avdiivka direction.
  • Military expert Dmytro Sniehyrov observed that Avdiivka is becoming “the Bermuda Triangle” for the Russians. 
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Wednesday
15 January
11:50
Review
Russia in flames: Ukrainian forces launch largest strike on Russian territory. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:28
OPINION
Guarantees of Ukraine's disintegration: key takeaways from Lavrov's press conference
11:09
EU shipyards repair Russian Arctic gas tankers despite sanctions - media
10:51
Ukraine reports 170 clashes at front, repels 70 Russian attacks in Pokrovsk sector
10:30
Exclusive
Conscription age in Ukraine may be lowered if partners boost military aid - MP Kniazhytskyi
10:12
Drones target distillery near military training ground in Russia's Tambov region
09:54
Russia's massive missile attack targets critical infrastructure in western Ukraine
09:35
Russia loses 1,580 soldiers, nearly 400 pieces of equipment in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Tuesday
14 January
21:40
Exclusive
Trump to nullify International Criminal Court warrant by meeting with Putin - expert
21:25
Zelenskyy releases video showing interrogation of captured North Korean soldier
21:10
South Korea ready to take DPRK soldiers captured by Ukraine
20:52
OPINION
Biden took the “safe route”
20:30
NATO starts Baltic Sentry mission, Tusk announces increased presence
20:07
46% of Ukrainians prioritize NATO membership over EU accession – KIIS survey
19:46
Exclusive
“Breaking new ground”: Defense Express on Ukraine’s largest strike on Russian military targets
19:25
Updated
Ukrainian Air Force technicians report mass transfers to infantry; General Staff responds
19:06
Volker expects “decisive approach” in Trump’s Ukraine policy
18:45
Depletion of Russian air defense exposes rear regions to strikes
18:24
Ukrainian exports entered 16 new markets in 2024
17:59
Slovak opposition to call no-confidence vote against Fico government over shift to Russia
17:38
Russia’s military aviation: What happens to 1,100 aircraft not in combat over Ukraine?
17:13
Ukraine may cease to exist in 2025, negotiations should be with U.S., says Putin's aide. Ukraine responds
16:52
Military exercises in Gomel District, Belarus, pose no threat to Ukraine – SBGS
16:34
Ukraine sets up 36 working groups to prepare for EU membership negotiations
16:14
Russian "court" sentences seven Ukrainian POWs involved in Kursk operation
16:03
Updated
Ukraine launches massive strike on Russian military targets, up to 1,100 km deep
15:57
Russian agents exploit families of Ukrainian POWs for sabotage
15:37
Exclusive
'Trump is unpredictable but farsighted': VOA's Myroslava Gongadze on Greenland controversy
15:16
Russian oil tankers stalled as U.S. sanctions bite
14:52
Ukraine's largest long-range strike to date hits key Russian military and industrial sites
14:38
Ukraine exports almost $25 billion worth of goods to EU in 2024
14:17
OPINION
Mobilization of 18-year-olds: the West's excuses for its own failures
13:50
Exclusive
From Bryansk to Kazan: Ukraine targets Russian defense industry with precision strikes
13:31
OPINION
Biden in his last presidency days finishes off Russian economy
13:03
Review
Ukraine receives world's most advanced self-propelled gun from Germany: Column by Serhiy Zgurets
12:42
Exclusive
Challenges in Kursk region now are future challenges for Seoul – military expert Selezniov
12:23
OPINION
Fico, Szijjártó, and Orbán use "gas" statements to portray Ukraine as unreliable. Vitaly Portnikov column
11:53
Ukraine repels 77 Russian attacks near Pokrovsk, 166 clashes along frontline
11:36
Exclusive
All border settlements with Russia destroyed: Ukrainian border guard on Sumy situation
11:12
Exclusive
China builds icebreaking navy: expert Lakiychuk on Arctic struggle
More news