November was extremely intense. The Russian forces tried to put pressure along the entire front line from all directions. They hoped that Ukrainian forces were probably exhausted due to the offensive in the south and that they could now push through the Ukrainian defense in all areas of the front, starting from Kupyansk, Svatove, Kreminna, Avdiivka, Marinka, Bakhmut and beyond.
Total combat losses of Russia since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine
Relatively speaking, these attempts to ram up Russia's attacks were met with active defense using all means of destroying the aggressors. That is why Ukraine has achieved high figures for Russia's losses, including 28,000 killed in a month. Hopefully, this figure exceeds the Russian rate of troop replenishment of about 30,000 per month.By the way, the losses are reported in the following order. Each unit commander submits a report to his commander in the morning. Accordingly, all losses are summed up, and general statistics are created. However, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported that this data sometimes needs to be clarified.
A significant number of Russian attacks are currently taking place in Bakhmut. The Russian forces are increasing pressure on the northern and southern flanks. Speaking about the northern flank, we know about Russia's movement, starting from Berkhivka towards Bohdanivka and Khromove. In Bohdanivka, the Ukrainian army prevented the occupying Russian forces from advancing and inflicted significant damage on them.
Photo: Espreso
Russian troops have actually entered Khromove, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces are not allowing them to gain a foothold there. Active hostilities are now taking place there. Khromove is dangerous from the point of view of Russian actions, because they create preconditions for the Russian group to enter the flank or rear of the Ukrainian troops that are operating on the southern flank, putting pressure on the Russian enemy in the area of Klishchiivka and Andriivka.Moreover, there are risks of Russia advancing to Chasiv Yar. This is one of the areas that creates an opportunity for them to move in depth. But these are theoretical estimates based on the fact that these are the dominant heights and the adversary is trying to move along them. This does not mean that this will happen, but there is a risk at this stage. Everything will depend on the forces and means that Ukraine's General Staff will deploy.
Avdiivka remains a hot spot on the frontline, which is now of political and military importance to the Russian Federation. The logic of the location provokes the opponent to redeploy its forces around Avdiivka as much as possible in an attempt to encircle the city, which has been held for a long time. Fighting continues in the direction of Stepove. The Russian troops are entering Stepove, which is located in the north. The situation is difficult in this area, as well as in other areas around Avdiivka.
Russia is actively shelling the Coke Plant with artillery of various calibers, trying to destroy any buildings. But if Russia's forces cross the fence, they are destroyed. That is, the Coke Plant area is still being held and is likely to continue to be held, given the fortification that Coke Plant itself is.
Map of fighting near Avdiivka
The third risky area is the industrial zone southeast of Avdiivka, where the Russian army has penetrated the defense line. But there is no progress there now, and the Russian troops are trying to reformat and bring in new forces to take over the positions that have been destroyed. To do this, they have to go through the lowlands and go again to the heights. Probably, if there is sufficient artillery, this will be an important area for Russia to destroy.In general, the situation around Avdiivka is complicated. The line through which logistical support is transferred through Orlivka is functioning. However, it is still under fire from Russian artillery. They are also using FPV drones.
Ukraine produces 5 times fewer FPV drones than Russia. Now it is critical to focus on making FPV drones mass-produced, so that it is not only a task for private companies and volunteers, but also for the state. This is the challenge that the Ministry of Strategic Industries and other government agencies of Ukraine must overcome.