Ukrainian forces are counterattacking around Avdiivka — ISW

The Institute for the Study of War writes about this.

It is noted that on December 20, the Russian troops advanced near Avdiivka, but there are no confirmed changes on the front line in the area. Russian military bloggers claim that the Russian forces have slightly advanced southwest of Avdiivka near Pervomaiske, although ISW has not observed any visual evidence of this claim.

“A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces are counterattacking around Avdiivka,” the report reads.

• On December 18, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff reported that in the Avdiivka sector, Ukraine's army continues to hold back the Russian forces, which are trying to surround the city.

• Also, Vitaliy Barabash, mayor of Avdiivka, is convinced that Russian troops will not be able to capture the city even before the presidential elections in Russia.

• On December 19, the spokesperson for the Tavria Defense Forces, Oleksandr Stupun, said that the Russian forces reduced their assaults on Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka, but they are using more infantry and equipment.