Russia can encircle Ukraine's troops in Avdiivka: former military prosecutor on complex situation

This opinion was expressed by the Chief Military Prosecutor of Ukraine (2019-2020) Viktor Chumak on the Espreso TV channel.

"In Bakhmut, invading Russian troops can only align the front line and push Ukrainian troops back, this is done to the north and south of Bakhmut. In Avdiivka, on the contrary, the Russian occupiers have capabilities to encircle Ukrainian forces," said Chumak.

If the situation becomes critical, an appropriate, correct decision will be made to save the troops, he said.

"If it is possible to provide these troops with everything they need, to maintain logistics, then we will not even know that something so critical happened there. The right decision will be made," Chumak added.

Situation in the key city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine 

On 30 October, the head of the Avdiivka City Military Administration, Vitaliy Barabash, said thaar 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.

Estonian intelligence chief Ants Kiviselg said that Russian forces will try to capture Avdiivka by the end of the year, despite the fact that the city has no strategic importance.

On November 9, the head of the Avdiivka City Military Administration, Vitaliy Barabash, said that the enemy was preparing for an even bigger attack on Avdiivka.

Military expert and editor-in-chief of Defence Express, Oleh Katkov, noted that Russia had brought huge resources to Avdiivka, including extremely rare Tornado-S or even Smerch systems.

Defense Express CEO Serhiy Zgurets noted that the deterioration in weather around Avdiivka makes it challenging for enemy infantry to advance.