Situation in Avdiivka: at least 15 thousand Russian troops in 3rd Assault Brigade's area of operation

This is reported by the press service of the 3rd Detached Assault Brigade.

"At least 15,000 Russian troops are facing the 3rd Detached Assault Brigade on our frontline in Avdiivka. Our brigade inflicted critical damage to the 74th and 114th Detached Motorized Rifle Brigades of the Russian Armed Forces. Both enemy units have been virtually wiped out," the statement says.

According to preliminary information, Russian losses in killed and wounded amount to 4,200 people.

As of February 16, the 30th Detached Mechanized Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces suffered significant losses, and fighting continued against the 35th and 55th Detached Mechanized Brigades of the 41st Army and the 21st and 15th Detached Mechanized Brigades of the 2nd Army.

"According to the available data from the 3rd Assault Brigade, the enemy forces in our sector are as follows: 35th, 55th and 74th Detached Motorized Rifle Brigades from the 41st Combined Arms Army. Also: 15th, 21st and 30th Detached Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 2nd Combined Arms Army. In particular, the 114th Detached Motorized Rifle Brigade, the former 11th Detached Motorized Rifle Regiment of the so-called "DPR," the 3rd Brigade noted.

The military points out that some tasks are performed by GRU personnel: they carry out night assaults with night vision equipment, conduct sabotage, and adjust air and artillery strikes.

"Despite the fact that the invading Russian forces suffer disproportionate losses, the situation in Avdiivka remains extremely difficult," the military emphasized.

• In his address on February 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the situation at the frontline, particularly in Avdiivka and in the east in general. He emphasized that everything is being done in Avdiivka to save as many Ukrainian lives as possible.
• Later, Oleksandr Borodin, a spokesman for the 3rd Assault Brigade, which was redeployed to this area, said that the situation in Avdiivka is critical: the Russian army has started using phosphorus ammunition and guided bombs on a regular basis. Rodion Kudriashov, deputy commander of the 3rd Brigade, said that in one of the areas in Avdiivka the soldiers are completely surrounded by the enemy.
• On February 16, the command of the Tavria operational and strategic grouping of troops decided to withdraw Ukrainian troops from the Zenit position on the southeastern outskirts of Avdiivka.