President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed Ukraine's counteroffensive
launched in June as "inspiring", but gave no details.
Russian forces have focused on the eastern regions of Donetsk
and Luhansk since their drive on Kyiv stalled in the first days
of the invasion in February 2022.
They have been bearing down since mid-October on the shattered
town of Avdiivka, known for its coking plant and its position as
a gateway to the city of Donetsk, 20 km (12 miles) to the east.
Oleksandr Borodin, press officer for Ukraine's third separate
assault brigade, said Russian forces were launching major
infantry attacks, while trying to keep equipment intact.
Borodin told the news outlet Espreso TV there were no dramatic
statistics for destroying enemy equipment "because they use it
much less, mainly from a distance.
"But their movements are quite dense now. It is not just
infantry advancing but also parallel work of artillery, drones,
aviation, the same air bombing and more."
Russian forces, he told Espreso, were unable to replenish
supplies quickly and Ukrainian defensive positions were solid.
"All this started after the events in Israel," he said. "Perhaps
they believe it is the best time to advance, but they have no
serious successes."
Vitaliy Barabash, head of Avdiivka's military administration,
told Espreso Russian forces were shelling the town "round the
clock" but wet ground from several days of rain was holding
their troops back
"Once the ground dries, they will definitely advance."
Ukraine's General Staff, in its evening report, said its forces
had repelled 11 attacks near Avdiivka, 15 in the nearby Maryinka
sector and 22 further northeast in Bakhmut, a town seized by
Russian in May. Six attacks were repelled further north near
Kupiansk, where Russian forces have been active.
Russia's Investigative Committee, in an account of the day's
fighting, said Ukrainian forces shelled the town of Skadovsk in
a Russian-occupied area of southern Kherson region. The report
said there were dead and wounded in the attack.
Russia's Defense Ministry reported strikes on Ukrainian troops
and equipment near Bakhmut.
Reuters could not independently confirm reports from either
side.
(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; editing by
Diane Craft)
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