Ukraine should brace for unpleasant scenarios in Avdiivka - military expert

He expressed this opinion in an interview with Espreso.

"I would not like to give out any pessimistic forecasts in advance, but obviously, the situation is such that our troops are trying to fulfil two tasks. The first is to prevent the city from being surrounded, to keep the defense manageable regardless of where the Russian forces may advance. The second is that various sources are circulating information that a fortified defense line is being prepared somewhere to be occupied by Ukainian troops after the likely withdrawal from Avdiivka. This is about 20 kilometres from the city, as Western analysts concluded, using satellite images. But the fact that there may be various unpleasant scenarios in Avdiivka is something we need to prepare for," the military expert told Espreso.

According to him, it will not be possible to carry out the task of destroying Russian enemy at the frontline near Avdiivka continuously, as some problems may accumulate in the Ukrainian troops.

"Perhaps there is even something in it that the change of leadership of the Ukrainian Armed Forces took place now or at a time when the problems in Avdiivka have not yet accumulated so much to enter an acute phase. However, we need to be prepared for different, including difficult, scenarios for the development of events around Avdiivka. Judging by the current contours of the frontline, we should not have high expectations that it will be easy to hold the city. If a miracle happens and the Russians are stopped from advancing, it will be a military miracle, which has never been done in military history," summarized Ivan Kyrychevskyi.

• On 8 February, Ukrainian General Staff reported in its evening report that in the Avdiivka sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 17 attacks in the area of Avdiivka and another 5 attacks in the areas of Pervomaiske and Nevelske in Donetsk region.
• On 9 February, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the Russian enemy, who is continuing to try to surround Avdiivka