Russia deploys chemical brigade to Avdiivka direction — soldier Tymochko

He shared the information on Espreso TV.

"Avdiivka is a political issue for the Russians. The enemy has concentrated huge forces near Avdiivka, up to several combined arms armies. The Russians even pulled their only chemical brigade to this area. They are armed with TOS-1A Solntsepyok and Buratino. Avdiivka has drawn their troops heavily and requires a lot of concentration. But the enemy hasn't been able to achieve results in a month. Of course, this is also exhausting our resources and troops," noted Tymochko.

According to the serviceman, the Russian army was tasked with seizing the offensive initiative.

"It is one thing to be constantly on the offensive and hit the defense line in waves. It's quite another when you have an offensive initiative. When the troops break through the enemy's front line, when the command determines the direction of the attack. When the enemy cannot concentrate its forces on the directions of the armored groups' strikes. At the moment, the Russians are trying to seize the offensive initiative. Because the Russians lost it last year, and now they have begun to lose the defensive initiative as well. The Russians will try to launch a counteroffensive with all available forces," emphasized Tymochko.

• The Institute for the Study of War writes that it will be difficult for Russia to seize the initiative on the battlefield, as it will have to relocate units from areas where Ukraine is conducting offensive operations.
• Over the past day, the Ukrainian military repelled attacks in the Avdiivka, Bakhmut, Marinka, Kupyansk and Shakhtarsk directions. The Ukrainian Armed Forces also eliminated 1,330 Russian soldiers.
• The British Ministry of Defense reports that the Avdiivka Coke Plant plays a key role for the Ukrainian military in the defense of the town from Russian attacks.