Russian forces try to break into residential sector in Avdiivka - military expert

He said this on Espreso. 

"The situation in Avdiivka is tense. The invaders are trying to push through the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defense in several directions simultaneously. The attacks are coming from the area of Stepove. Over the past week, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have had tactical successes in the area of Stepove and we managed to significantly improve our positions, while the enemy attacks both on the eastern outskirts of this settlement and strikes from three directions. The main tasks of the occupying Russian forces are to break through to Berdychi and reach the Ukrainian Armed Forces' locations near Lastochkyne. The situation is complicated," the military expert commented.

According to him, the Russian troops have established control over the industrial zone. Currently, they are using the tactics of mobile groups, when the invaders are trying to break through from the industrial zone to the private residential sector of Avdiivka. Again, they are using the tactics of the Wagner PMC, i.e. groups of 8-15 people, which, due to their numerical superiority, narrow the front line and create opportunities to break through the fortifications of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in certain areas of the front.

"The fighting is currently taking place at the level of Kolosova Street and the Vynohradnyky garden society. The situation is difficult in the area of Avdiivka Coke Plant, but this territory is fully controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. There have been attempts by the occupiers to intensify actions involving heavy armored vehicles in the area of the waste heaps and treatment facilities. However, there were no changes on the front line. Also in the area of Vodiane, the enemy tried to storm the green zone towards the 9th quarter, which is a residential area of Avdiivka. Again, there were no tactical advances. The situation is similar in the area of Opytne, with no change in the frontline," noted Colonel Sniehyrov.

Sniehyrov summarized that the main task of the Russian forces in the Avdiivka area is an attempt to create an operational encirclement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and establish direct control over the locations. However, the width of the corridor is now between 6 and 6.5 km, which allows the Ukrainian Armed Forces to supply ammunition, evacuate the wounded and rotate personnel. That is, there is no reason to say that the enemy has managed to establish control over our locations.

• On December 14, the Ukrainian General Staff’s evening report stated that the Defense Forces repelled 36 enemy attacks in the Avdiivka sector over the day.
• On December 15, the Ukrainian General Staff reported that in the Avdiivka sector, Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy, who continues to try to surround Avdiivka. Our soldiers are steadfastly holding the line, inflicting significant losses on the Russian troops. The defense forces successfully repelled 23 enemy attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka and another 22 attacks south of Pervomaiske and Nevelske in the Donetsk region.