Russian Forces Continue Pressure on Ukrainian Towns Amid Escalating Tensions
Unrelenting Pressure on Avdiivka and Kherson
Russian forces are intensifying their efforts to suppress a four-month-old Ukrainian counteroffensive in the east. Avdiivka, a town left in ruins, remains a primary target, while shelling in the southern area of Kherson has escalated. Since the failed advance on Kyiv at the beginning of the invasion, Russian forces have focused on the industrial east and have been trying to maintain positions in Kherson after abandoning the region’s main town last year.
Ukrainian Forces Repel Russian Attacks
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported that Ukrainian troops successfully repelled nearly 20 Russian attacks near Avdiivka, which has been reduced to a shell of its former self. Russian air strikes have also hit nearby villages. Avdiivka holds symbolic significance as it is seen as the gateway to recapturing the Russian-held city of Donetsk and the rest of the Donbas region. Ukrainian forces, who have fortified the town over the years, remain resilient in the face of ongoing tensions.
Avdiivka’s Significance and Failed Russian Plans
Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for the Ukraine Defence Ministry’s Intelligence Directorate, emphasized the significance of Avdiivka, stating that Russian forces have repeatedly failed in their attempts to take control of Donetsk and Luhansk. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged the challenging situation in Avdiivka and the nearby town of Maryinka, commending the Ukrainian troops for holding their positions and expressing the need to keep pushing forward.
Shelling in Kherson and Ongoing Conflict
In Kherson, several villages and key sites, including transport and food production facilities, have been targeted by shelling. Russian forces routinely shell Kherson and villages on the western bank of the Dnipro River from positions they retreated to last year. Ukrainian forces have recently crossed the Dnipro River to establish their own positions and pursue Russian forces, according to the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War.
It is important to note that the accounts provided by both sides cannot be independently verified, and caution should be exercised when evaluating the information.
As tensions continue to escalate in Ukraine, the situation remains fluid and unpredictable. The conflict has had a devastating impact on the affected regions, and efforts to find a resolution and restore peace are ongoing.
