Will Putin come to frontline Avdiivka before election: expert's opinion

Vladyslav Selezniov, a military expert and former spokesman for the General Staff, said this in a commentary to RBC-Ukraine.

According to the expert, he doubts that Putin is really planning a visit to Avdiivka to record a video before the presidential election.

"He is very careful about his own security. During the two years of the war, he visited the headquarters of the Russian grouping of troops involved in the so-called special military operation in Rostov two or three times. Once he was in Mariupol, one at the Arabat Spit, and that's it," Selezniov said.

Read also Russian troops tasked with capturing Avdiivka before presidential election in Russia

In his opinion, it is very important for the dictator that his troops take control of Avdiivka before the elections.

"The battle for Avdiivka is highlighted by the media. Therefore, taking it under control will create a halo of victory for the Russian army. Since the last large-scale achievements of this army were in Soledar and Bakhmut," he added.

Speculations about Putin's plans

Earlier, a Russian Telegram channel reported that Putin intends to record an address from the basements of Avdiivka against the backdrop of Western equipment.

The dictator allegedly believes that a lot of NATO military equipment is hidden in the basements of the coke plant. He demands to capture the city by the first of March, and the military command has already been given this task.