ISW: Russian troops plan to attack Avdiivka Coke Plant

This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War.

"A Ukrainian military observer said that Russian forces crossed the railroad lines near Stepove (3 km north of Avdiivka) and are preparing to attack the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant in the north of Avdiivka from these newly seized positions," the statement said.

It is noted that the Russian propagandist claimed that on November 1, the occupiers approached the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant. They launched combined missile and air strikes on it. However, according to the propagandist, Ukrainian air defense prevented them from launching powerful strikes on the area.

Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun, spokesman for the Ukrainian Tavria Group of Forces, said that Russian troops are attacking mainly with small groups of infantry. According to him, the pace of Russian military operations near Avdiivka is slowing down as Russian forces are regrouping and need reinforcements.

More details about Russian offensive on Avdiivka

The Institute for the Study of War predicts that significant losses of Russian equipment near Avdiivka may hamper Russia’s long-term offensive capabilities.

On October 27, President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussed the situation at the front with the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Rishi Sunak.

Serhii Tsekhotskyi, an officer with the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Yakiv Handziuk, highlighted the success of Ukrainian Defense Forces in repelling Russian attacks near Avdiivka.

On October 28, the UK Ministry of Defense received information that Russian troops were unlikely to fulfill the Kremlin's expectations regarding the capture of Avdiivka.

Military observer Denys Popovych said that the Russian army is trying to surround Avdiivka to bring Ukraine to the negotiating table.

On October 29, Army Inform quoted Colonel Oleksandr Sрtupun, spokesman for the joint press center of the Tavria Defense Forces, as saying that over the past 20 days near Avdiivka, the Russians had lost 6,500 of their soldiers, 100 tanks and 250 armored vehicles.

On October 29, in the Avdiivka direction, Ukrainian border guards destroyed a Russian warplane, presumably a Su-25, using a portable air defense system (MANPADS).

On 30 October, the head of the Avdiivka City Military Administration, Vitaliy Barabash, said that Russian forces were regrouping near Avdiivka. A new wave of assaults is expected in the coming days.

Director of the information and consulting company Defense Express Serhiy Zgurets noted that the Russian enemy would try to push the Ukrainian defences near Avdiivka for a month.

On November 2, the Institute for the Study of War noted that the Russian occupying forces are likely preparing for another wave of ground attacks near Avdiivka, Donetsk region, despite their heavy losses.

Later, Vitaliy Barabash, head of the Avdiivka City Military Administration, said that the third wave of attacks on Avdiivka has not yet taken place, but the enemy is keeping the tension around the city.