Avdiivka direction: Russia may seek to move westward

He stated it on the Espreso TV channel.

Lazutkin remarked, "I am in the Avdiivka region. Currently, the situation continues to be difficult and turbulent. Despite the Defense Forces' withdrawal from the city, guided aerial bombs are still flying, and artillery fire persists. Although the intensity of Russian assaults has decreased, the enemy exploits weak points in our forces' defense. There is a significant amount of shelling and numerous enemy drones. There are reasons to believe that the Russians will attempt to move west in the near future."

Lazutkin highlighted that the Russians have favorable conditions for replenishing reserves in the Avdiivka region.

"In the days following the Defense Forces' withdrawal from Avdiivka, the intensity of hostilities decreased slightly, but they persist. The situation in the Avdiivka direction remains highly unsettled. The Russians have ample opportunities to replenish reserves and deploy manpower and equipment due to logistical advantages," added Lazutkin.

• Regarding the Defense Forces' withdrawal from Avdiivka, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh labeled it "strategic" to preserve artillery and shells.
• In Russia, military and propagandist Andrey Morozov claimed that 16,000 soldiers of the Russian army had been eliminated in battles for Avdiivka. Facing harassment from leadership and other propagandists, Morozov committed suicide.