January 24-31 live war map: Avdiivka faces potential threat, Russia conducts Kinzhal strikes across entire front

Ukrainian defense forces are grappling with a new threat in Avdiivka

Nearly half of the offensives along the entire front are concentrated in Avdiivka, where intense battles persist. After three months of unsuccessful attempts to breach the city's defenses and cut off logistical routes, the Russian armed forces have adopted a new strategy. They are now launching a direct assault on the city, aiming to capture it block by block, similar to previous tactics in Bakhmut.

Over the past week, Russians seized the industrial zone, advancing through the "Vynohradnyky" neighborhood and pushing our redoubts east of Opytne. The unexpected use of a dug tunnel and internal communication pipes allowed around 150 Russian soldiers to emerge from the ground, occupying streets and a key fortified area near the "Tsarska Okhota" restaurant. Despite external pressure to support their sortie, they failed to breach the city directly. Six days of ongoing fighting have seen the defense forces reclaiming some territory near the former restaurant, but the area of the enemy's sortie remains incompletely cleared.

The Russians are intensifying their assault on the fortified area known as "Zenit," designed to withstand a nuclear strike. However, its vulnerability lies in logistical disruptions. The invaders are attempting to flank Zenit's defenders, who've held this front for over a decade. Russians’ main objective is to sever Zenit from the T-05-05 road, halting ammunition supply. Losing Zenit could be critical for Avdiivka's defense, prompting significant efforts from the Armed Forces of Ukraine to prevent this.

On Avdiivka's northern outskirts, the Defense Forces successfully shifted the front line from Berdychi to the railway road. The situation in Stepove remains stable, with constant but unsuccessful attempts by invaders from Kamyanka to storm the city's eastern outskirts. On the southern edge, the Russians breached approximately 700 meters along the Pisky to Pervomaiske road, facing increased pressure recently.

Simultaneously, the Russian drone group commander disclosed their training ground's location in Ilovaisk near Donetsk, resulting in Himars missiles striking the area. This action caused 38 casualties and numerous injuries.

Offensive on Vuhledar

The encirclement  of Vuhledar remains an elusive concept for Russian generals. In early December, the Russians initiated an assault on Novomykhailivka. Despite being semi-surrounded, the Defense Forces successfully repelled constant attacks. However, in the past week, invaders targeted the south of the village, depleting their forces. Therefore, the remnants of the occupiers had to retreat to their original positions, losing the territory they had gained a few weeks ago. The Ukrainian Armed Forces seized back several lost opportunities. Ongoing battles and counter-offensives to the northeast involve the alternating occupation of trenches and territory.

Southern front counter-offensives are ongoing

In the Zaporizhzhia and southern Donetsk region, the fighting is less intense compared to the east and has a localized focus. The Armed Forces successfully secured two positions south of Urozhayne, enhancing their tactical advantage in the village. Conversely, enemy forces pushed Ukrainian troops north of Priyutne, leading to intense summer battles. Seizing an opportunity, Ukrainian army forced the occupiers south between Chervone and Malynivka villages. Additionally, the Armed Forces improved their position by shifting the front line eastward from Charivne village towards Polohy.

Russian offensive advances in the Luhansk region

Following the capture of the front section near Krokhmalne village, the Russian forces continued their assault on neighboring villages – namely, Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Kotlyarivka, Pishchane, and Tabaivka. Tabaivka, situated in a lowland between two heights, fell under occupation due to the invaders' artillery advantage, displacing our defenders. However, the Defense Forces successfully prevented the russian troops from fully entering the village. Consequently, since January 28, Tabaivka remains in the gray zone, witnessing ongoing active battles.

Moreover, the Russian forces made progress by advancing 300-400 meters closer to the western outskirts of the strategic village of Synkivka. Synkivka has served as a crucial obstacle, impeding the invaders' progress toward Kupyansk for nearly a year. The enemy's attempts to breach defenses around Kreminna, especially in Terny, Yampolivka, and Bilohorivka, were unsuccessful.

Russia is a gas station on fire

Following the strikes on the Ust Luga oil refinery, Ukrainian drones (or other unidentified forces) extended their "oil" campaign in Russia. This week, major processing plants, including "Slavneft-Yanos" in Yaroslavl and its counterpart in Tuapse, Krasnodar, caught fire. These facilities have halted both oil processing and the production of petroleum products, and a swift resumption of operations is unlikely. On the night of January 31, our drone targeted another oil refinery in St. Petersburg, but unfortunately, it missed the mark and crashed on the territory, causing damage to the oil tanks.

An explosion rocked a substation in Moscow, while an "outburst" in Chelyabinsk left half of the city's million residents without electricity.

The maps presented here are based on information provided by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other reliable sources. However, they offer only a broad representation of trends in the war zone and may not be entirely accurate.