Russian infantry storms Avdiivka direction 

He said this live on air of the Espreso TV channel.

"Russian troops began an assault from the north of Avdiivka - this is Krasnohorivka, Vesele. In the morning, about 5 assaults took place from the south of the city - this is Opytne, Vodiane. Infantry battles continue, because Russian forces transferred equipment to Bakhmut and Soledar. Although intelligence reports that Russian military transfers from Russia and Mariupol equipment and personnel in Donetsk direction – to Mariinka and Avdiivka. Russian troops are storming, trying to advance, Ukrainian Armed Forces are repelling their attacks. The Russian army is trying to break through Ukrainian defense from the north of Avdiivka. We understand that in a day or two Russian forces will move armored vehicles in our direction," Barabash said.

Head of Avdiivka Military Civilian administration also added that in the last 24 hours there had been about 120 artillery attacks on positions around Avdiivka.

"This morning, Russian troops heavily shelled the city. First shelling took place at 4 a.m. in the central part. Then at 07:45 a.m. in the old part of the city, at 10:15 a.m. another strike was in the old part of the city. 10:24 a.m. - air strike on the city, 11:05 a.m. - shelling of the old part of the city, 11:25 a.m. - shelling of the central part of the city, 11:38 a.m. - old part of the city again. Russian troops shell the city a lot," Barabash said.

• On January 9, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled Russian attacks in 13 towns and villages of Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Russian troops conduct offensive in Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Lyman directions, focused on capturing Donetsk region.

• Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defense, Hanna Maliar, said that in Soledar, Donetsk region, Russian troops are trying to break through Ukrainian defense, and heavy fighting is ongoing.

• Spokesman of Ukrainian Eastern Defense Forces, Colonel Serhiy Cherevatyi, denied Russian claims that Soledar is under control of the Russian Federation.