Russia speeds up to gain control on the Donbass front
(Baonghean.vn) - In recent days, fierce fighting has been taking place in the city of Avdeevka, located in Eastern Ukraine, specifically the Donbass region. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are falling into a "fire pot". Like Bakhmut, Avdeevka plays a very important role in the success or failure of Russia's special military campaign.
After months of slow and failed counterattacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Russian army began a relentless offensive on October 9, focusing in particular on the frontline town of Avdeevka, a fortified Ukrainian stronghold, a suburb north of Donetsk.
Avdeevka is also the place that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have turned into a solid stronghold for the past 8 years. From this city, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have fired bullets and artillery shells at peaceful residential areas of Donetsk, killing thousands of civilians.
Russia has been conducting a fierce attack on Avdeevka since October 10. The fighting has been going on for 5 days now and Avdeevka is currently surrounded on 3 sides. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are being attacked by such devastating weapons as the TOS-1A Solntsepek heavy flamethrower system, FAB-500 and FAB-1500 heavy bombs with UMPC.
According to Ria Novosti, the goal of this Russian offensive is to completely cut off the supply to Avdeevka. However, the Russian army did not directly attack the Avdeevka stronghold, but simply destroyed Ukrainian targets in the city, leveled them, and surrounded the Ukrainian armed forces on both flanks.
Observers say that if the Bakhmut front was previously described as a "meat grinder", now Avdeevka is described as "a boiler". Currently, this city is under heavy fire from the Russian Armed Forces, as well as the western supply routes for the Ukrainian garrison.
The Economist quoted the press secretary of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Alexander Shtupun, as saying: "The Russian Armed Forces have launched one of the largest offensives since last spring. Russia sees an opportunity in Avdeevka to win an important victory and turn the tide of the war."
The Economist said it was too early to say whether this would become the focus of a new offensive by the Russian Armed Forces. But it was clear that Russia had devoted significant resources to the offensive. Ukrainian officials said that up to three battalions had been deployed to Avdeevka. They were supported by tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and aircraft that launched precision-guided bombs from long ranges. "The Russians have put a lot of effort into this," Andrei Ermak, head of the Ukrainian president's office, wrote on Twitter. "They are betting on Avdeevka."
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram: "Avdeevka. We are standing our ground. It is the courage and unity of the Ukrainian people that will decide how this war will end."
The loss of Avdeevka would be a devastating blow to the morale of the Ukrainian forces. Like Bakhmut, Avdeekva has become a symbol of the Ukrainian resistance.
The Economist said that the battle for control of the Avdeevka coke plant and ash dump in the coming days is likely to be difficult and fierce. Regardless of whether Avdeevka falls under Russian control, the battle will have a negative impact on Ukraine’s ongoing counter-offensive in the south, which has slowed since August.
Western officials do not believe that the front line will change significantly before winter sets in. If Ukraine needs to reinforce the Avdeevka front, it may have to transfer some of its forces currently fighting south of Orekhovo there. And that would reduce the chances of a breakthrough before winter sets in.
