In Avdiivka, Russian forces are advancing in south, threatening to occupy entire line - Lieutenant General Romanenko

He said this on the Espreso TV channel.

"Yes, the situation is threatening. To the north of Avdiivka, the enemy has entered the industrial zone. There is also an advance in the south, towards Pervomaiskyi. That is, at a tactical distance, but the invaders are still advancing. If we take into account several months, this advance is more likely to threaten the occupation of the entire line," said Romanenko.

According to him, the fight of the Ukrainian Defense Forces will continue as long as there is logistical defense. "We need to take into account the possibilities of logistics support. Unfortunately, they are also limited due to enemy fire control. The fight will continue on our side as long as we have logistical defense and options for a possible withdrawal of some of the Ukrainian troops who remain there at a critical moment to perform further tasks," noted the Lieutenant General. "The fighting in Avdiivka should be viewed in the context of the transition to strategic active defense along the entire front line", he said.

"We need to intensively build engineering lines with mines in more threatening areas. Unfortunately, the enemy is gradually taking offensive actions. These actions must be stopped by a defensive strategic operation. In the course of the operation, it is necessary to destroy as many enemy weapons, equipment and manpower as possible. The Armed Forces must gain time to accumulate new forces for further actions in 2024," Romanenko summarized.

• On December 13, analysts at the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Russian troops had made minor advances near Avdiivka in Donetsk region. "Geolocation footage released on December 13 shows that Russian troops have made minor advances southeast of Stepove (3 km northwest of Avdiivka)," the report said.
• On December 14, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that over the past day, the Defense Forces successfully repelled 29 enemy attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka and another 28 attacks south of Sievierne, Pervomaiske and Nevelske in Donetsk region.