Russian forces focus on Avdiivka direction - Ukrainian commander

Tarnavskyi wrote about this on Telegram. 

"Forces of the Tavria operational and strategic grouping of troops continue to conduct a defensive operation. The enemy is focusing its main efforts on the Avdiivka sector, where Ukrainian defenders repelled 25 enemy attacks in the areas of Berdychi, Orlivka, Tonenke, Pervomaiske and Nevelske yesterday," the statement said. 

Tarnavskyi said that in the Novopavlivka sector, Ukrainian defenders are holding the Russian forces back in the areas of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka and Urozhayne. On February 28, 38 military engagements took place there.

"In particular, the enemy did not succeed in Krasnohorivka, which was liberated by the efforts of the 3rd Assault Brigade. Here alone, Russian losses in killed and wounded amounted to about 100 people," the statement said. 

According to Tarnavskyi, over the past day, in the operational area of the Tavria operational and strategic grouping of troops, Russia lost 431 people, 10 tanks, 22 armoured personnel carriers, 7 artillery systems, 7 vehicles and 339 UAVs of various types. Ukrainian military also struck one area where Russian troops were concentrated and captured four Russian soldiers.  

"Over the last day, Russian aggressor carried out 57 air strikes, 4 missile strikes, 89 strikes by 'kamikaze' drones, carried out 64 assault actions and 1072 fire attacks (including 6 with the use of poisonous substances)," Tarnavskyi added. 

• Ivan Tymochko, a serviceman and chairman of the Reservists' Council of the Ukrainian Army, said that the Avdiivka sector should be held the same as the Bakhmut sector. However, the positions will continue to change hands for some time.