Russian army won't seize Avdiivka even before presidential elections in Russia

He said this on Espreso. 

"The Russian troops are still trying to capture Avdiivka. Assaults and attacks on the city continue. However, they have not managed to capture the city before their dictator's year-end address. Moreover, realizing that they will not be able to capture the city by this date, they started talking about capturing it by the New Year," said Barabash.

He believes that the Russian forces will not be able to seize Avdiivka.

“Russian propagandists have already begun to prepare the Russian population for the fact that the deadline for capturing Avdiivka is changing. At first they said they would capture the city before Putin's address, then before the New Year, and now they are even talking about occupying it before the presidential election. However, they will not be able to capture Avdiivka before the New Year, let alone before the presidential election. Of course, the price for this will be very high. It is the hard work of our soldiers. However, I am confident that the Russians will not take Avdiivka," he added.

• On December 17, 54 combat engagements took place in the frontline. In the Avdiivka sector, the Russian troops unsuccessfully tried to break through the Ukrainian defense. 
• On December 18, the General Staff reported that in the area of responsibility of the Tavria group in the Avdiivka sector, the Defense Forces continue to hold back the Russian army, which continues to try to surround Avdiivka.