Russian forces continue to exert relentless pressure on the town of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine and have intensified shelling in the southern area of Kherson. Since their failed advance on Kyiv in February 2022, Russian forces have focused on the industrial east and have been attempting to maintain positions in Kherson. The Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled nearly 20 Russian attacks in Avdiivka, which has become a symbol of resistance and a gateway to recapturing Donetsk and the rest of Donbas. Avdiivka was briefly seized by Russian-backed separatists in 2014 but was later retaken by Ukrainian forces who have since built strong fortifications.
According to Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for the Ukraine Defence Ministry’s Intelligence Directorate, the occupying forces’ plans to take over Donetsk and Luhansk have repeatedly failed. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged the challenging situation in Avdiivka and the nearby town of Maryinka, emphasizing the need for progress and resistance against Russian assaults. Russian military accounts did not mention Avdiivka but reported successful operations against Ukrainian positions in Bakhmut. In Kherson, several villages and key sites were targeted by shelling, including transport and food production facilities.
The accounts from both sides could not be independently verified. Russian forces regularly shell Kherson and villages on the western bank of the Dnipro from their positions on the eastern bank. However, the Institute for the Study of War has reported that Ukrainian forces have crossed the Dnipro to establish new positions and pursue Russian forces. The situation remains tense, with both sides engaged in ongoing conflict.
Overall, the article highlights the continued pressure exerted by Russian forces on Avdiivka and the intensified shelling in Kherson. Avdiivka is seen as a crucial location for both sides, with Ukraine aiming to recapture Donetsk and the rest of Donbas, while Russia seeks to maintain its positions. The article also mentions the statements from Ukrainian officials and the lack of independent verification of the accounts from both sides.
