War escalates in Avdiivka sector - town’s mayor Barabash

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

"A powerful escalation started in the Avdiivka sector on Monday. The enemy conducted offensive actions from the north of Avdiivka. The Ukrainian Armed Forces targeted 15 enemy tanks and about 20 pieces of heavy equipment. 

The enemy changed its tactics. Using armored vehicles, the enemy is trying to drive up an infantry fighting vehicle and land troops. Russian artillery is working. The invading Russian forces are trying to move in small groups from different directions," noted Barabash.

According to him, the enemy is trying to conduct assault operations every day.

"The situation is very hot in the Avdiivka sector, the enemy conducts up to 30 attacks per day. The situation is a bit calmer today, in the morning the enemy fired at Avdiivka 6 times. Usually the enemy launches up to 300 attacks at our positions, but today it was less than 100," added Barabash.

• In two months of fighting in the Bakhmut sector, the Russian army has lost as many soldiers as in the two Chechen wars. Ukrainian Armed Forces fend off the enemy's attacks

• On Thursday, January 26, the occupying Russian army shelled the village of Ocheretyne in Donetsk region, at least one person was wounded and two more were killed