Russian forces have unleashed a massive
new offensive on the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, part of their campaign to
secure control of the eastern Donbas region, said the Ukrainian military on
Monday.
Avdiivka is a significant Ukrainian
strongpoint just northwest of the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk in the
eastern Donbas region.
“The enemy launched yesterday massive
assault actions with the support of armoured vehicles in Avdiivka and Mariinka
directions,” military spokesperson Oleksandr Stupun told Ukrainian TV.
There was no immediate response from
Russia on the fighting in the area. The front lines in eastern Ukraine have
barely shifted over the past many weeks, but the fighting has been intense,
Stupun said, adding there had been 610 artillery bombing reported near Avdiivka
in just the last 24 hours.
Russia is trying to encircle the small
city of Avdiivka, which now has only about 1,500 people left out of its pre-war
population of some 32,000. The fighting is reminiscent of the battle for
another eastern city, Bakhmut, which fell to Russian forces in May after months
of brutal urban combat.
Russia launched a renewed bid to capture
Avdiivka more than two months ago and Moscow’s forces have been inching forward
on the flanks to try to cut supply lines. “The fierce battles continue. Our
fighters are firmly holding on defences,” said Stupun.
Agency
