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

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.