Russian forces have pummelled the town over the past week, a bulge surrounded by Russian-held territory on the eastern Donbas front.
It is one of the largest assaults by Moscow since last year's full-scale invasion and comes at a time when Ukraine's counteroffensive is moving slowly, and the world is focused on the imminent Israeli ground invasion of Gaza.
At least three Russian battalions, each supported by an estimated 2,000-3,000 troops, began a dawn attack on Tuesday. Drone footage showed a line of military vehicles trundling forward. There has been intense fighting ever since. Russia has bombarded the city with relentless artillery fire and airstrikes.
Ukrainian military officials say Moscow's goal is to encircle Avdiivka, but so far the attackers have made modest gains. Russia's 25th combined arms army pushed forward from the south and north. It seized the nearby village of Berdychi and closed in on a 150-metre high slag heap next to the town's coke and chemical factory.
The Russians have suffered serious losses: at least 36 Russian tanks and armoured vehicles were destroyed in the first 24 hours and according to the Kyiv Post, that figure has risen to 102 tanks and 183 armoured vehicles lost, with 2,840 troops killed. One tank fell off a pontoon bridge into a river.
Another crushed a Russian soldier as it reversed; a Ukrainian munition then blew it up.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin October 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin October 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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