Fierce fighting continues in Ukraine’s east as Russia launches nonstop assaults on Avdiivka
October 17, 2023 | by b1og.net
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Fierce fighting continues in Ukraine’s east as Russia launches nonstop assaults on Avdiivka
Intense combat and nonstop assaults continue to plague the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka as Russian forces relentlessly target the area. Ukrainian officials have reported that Moscow is deploying additional forces in an attempt to encircle the strategically important city. Despite Russia’s claims of an already finished Ukrainian counteroffensive, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy maintains that his troops are successfully holding their ground against the onslaught. Meanwhile, the fighting in the northern stretch of Ukraine’s eastern front has significantly worsened, with Russian forces regrouping and pushing toward other key cities. The situation remains dire, with casualties and displacement escalating as the conflict escalates.
Fierce fighting continues in Ukraine’s east
Ukrainian officials have reported intense combat as Russian forces relentlessly assault the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka for a fifth consecutive day. City leader Vitalii Barabash reported that Moscow was deploying additional forces to encircle the strategically important city in the eastern Donetsk region, situated just north of the Russian-held regional capital, also called Donetsk.
“The enemy hasn’t stopped either assaulting or shelling positions” around Avdiivka, Barabash said on Ukrainian television. This relentless assault has created a dire situation for the approximately 1,600 civilians who remain in Avdiivka, a stark contrast to its prewar population of about 31,000. The city’s residents are enduring continuous shelling and assaults, desperately in need of humanitarian aid.
Russian ambassador claims new stage in Moscow’s campaign
At a U.N. Security Council meeting, Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia declared that the intensified attacks in the east marked a new stage in Moscow’s campaign in Ukraine. He stated, “Russian troops have, for several days now, switched over to active combat action practically throughout the entire front line. The so-called Ukrainian counteroffensive can therefore be considered finished.”
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains confident in the Ukrainian forces, asserting that they are holding their ground and keeping Russian troops at bay. There is a stark contrast in perspectives between the Russian ambassador’s, painting a picture of a campaign in progress, and the Ukrainian president’s, who believes that the Ukrainian forces are effectively resisting the Russian advance.
Civilians suffer the consequences of relentless attacks
In the ongoing conflict, it is the civilians who bear the brunt of the violence. Amid the relentless assaults by Russian forces, 22 civilians were wounded in Russian shelling in the region over the previous 24 hours, according to Donetsk’s acting regional governor, Ihor Moroz. These attacks not only cause casualties but also instill fear and traumas in the civilian population.
The continuous shelling and assaults have also resulted in a significant decrease in the population of Avdiivka. As mentioned earlier, only about 1,600 civilians remain in the city, compared to its prewar population of about 31,000. This drastic reduction in population is a clear indication of the challenging conditions faced by the residents.
Fighting worsens along the northern stretch of Ukraine’s eastern front
The situation along Ukraine’s eastern front has significantly worsened in recent days, as reported by Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine’s land forces. Russian forces have regrouped following losses and are mounting attacks in the northern stretch of the front. Specifically, they are focusing their efforts around the village of Makiivka and pushing towards the city of Kupiansk.
The objective of these attacks is to encircle Kupiansk and ultimately reach the Oskil River. This escalation in fighting poses a significant challenge for Ukraine’s land forces, requiring them to respond effectively to the regrouped and intensified attacks by Russian forces.
Additional Russian forces deployed to encircle the city
Moscow has increased its military presence around Avdiivka by deploying additional forces. The aim is to encircle the strategically important city, situated just north of the Russian-held regional capital, Donetsk. By surrounding Avdiivka, Russian forces can exert more pressure on the Ukrainian defenders and potentially gain a tactical advantage.
This deployment of additional forces further compounds the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces, as they are now confronted with a larger and more determined enemy force that is actively striving to encircle the city.
Russian air defense systems shoot down Ukrainian drones
In addition to ground attacks, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has extended into the skies. The Russian Defense Ministry announced that their air defense systems had successfully shot down two Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea near the southern resort city of Sochi. Another drone was also shot down in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, according to regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
These incidents highlight the involvement of unmanned aerial vehicles in the ongoing conflict. The shooting down of the Ukrainian drones further escalates tensions between the two sides and underscores the complexity of the situation on multiple fronts.
In conclusion, the fierce fighting in Ukraine’s east persists, with Avdiivka and other areas facing relentless assaults by Russian forces. The deployment of additional Russian forces and the encirclement of Avdiivka have raised the stakes on the battlefield. Civilians continue to suffer the consequences of the conflict, with casualties and a significant reduction in population. While the Russian ambassador claims a new stage in Moscow’s campaign, the Ukrainian president maintains that Ukrainian forces are holding their ground. As the fighting worsens along the northern stretch of Ukraine’s eastern front, Ukrainian forces find themselves facing intensified attacks and the challenge of effectively countering the regrouped Russian forces. The conflict has also extended into the skies, with Russian air defense systems shooting down Ukrainian drones. The situation remains tense, and the quest for a resolution to the conflict continues.
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