The Institute for the Study of Wars reported that Russian forces have been able to achieve minor successes in the area around Avdiivka.
According to The Kyiv Independent the soldiers have “slightly advanced,” although the pace of the attack on the city at the front has generally slowed down. Geolocated imagery apparently shows that Russian troops have advanced about three kilometers south of the city. However, reports from the Ukrainian General Staff indicate that Russian troops have launched fewer attacks in the area than in previous days. As ISW reported, the Russian forces are “increasing the intensity of air and artillery attacks on the settlement to compensate for slow ground maneuvers,” according to Russian sources.
Offensive Efforts: Are Ukrainian Troops to be Pulled from Other Areas?
As early as October 15, ISW reported that the pace of Russian operations near Avdiivka is “likely decreasing.” Five days earlier, Russian forces launched a major attack on Avdiivka in the Donetsk area. These offensive efforts might be aimed at pulling Ukrainian troops from other key areas at the front, such as Bakhmut or Zaporizhzhia.
Image: Kremlin.ru, Vladimir Putin (24.06.2023), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (image size modified)