All articles tagged with #russian assault
Ukrainian forces are holding their positions in Pokrovsk amid intense fighting and Russian attempts to encircle the city, which holds strategic and symbolic importance in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Despite Russian advances and efforts to cut off logistics, Ukraine continues to defend the city, with the situation remaining difficult and fluid.
On July 15, Russian forces launched a massive three-pronged assault near Novomykhailivka, utilizing a substantial force of armored vehicles and infantry. Ukrainian forces countered with extensive minefields, drones, and artillery, successfully thwarting the attack. The destruction of Russian air defense systems allowed Ukrainian drones to monitor and adjust fire effectively, leading to significant Russian losses. Despite the increased scale and intensity of the Russian assault, Ukrainian defenses held strong, forcing the Russians into an operational pause.
Ukraine's military chief announced the withdrawal of troops from Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine after months of battling a Russian assault, citing the need to avoid encirclement and preserve lives. The move comes as Russia seeks a morale boost ahead of the anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine and the upcoming presidential election. Ukrainian forces, outnumbered 7-to-1, have been holding out against Russian attacks, with the U.S. expressing concern over the situation. The potential capture of Avdiivka is seen as more of a symbolic win for Russia, with little impact on the overall front line.
As the Russian 2nd Combined Arms Army continues its assault on Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine, combat journalist Yuriy Butusov suggests that the Ukrainian army's battle-hardened 110th Mechanized Brigade, which has been garrisoning the city for 18 months, should take over the defense. Despite being neither the most experienced nor best-equipped brigade, the 110th has been successfully holding Avdiivka, destroying 200 Russian vehicles and killing 800 Russians in the first 13 days of fighting. Butusov also recommends a unified sector command and resupplying the garrison with explosives-laden drones to aid in the defense.
The Ukrainian army's 55th Artillery Brigade, armed with Caesar self-propelled howitzers, has been successfully repelling Russian assaults on Avdiivka for 20 days. The artillery has reportedly destroyed the equivalent of a Russian brigade, preventing the Russians from cutting off and starving Avdiivka's Ukrainian garrison. The Caesars' ability to quickly fire and relocate has helped them avoid Russian counterbattery fire, and their use of American-made cluster shells has inflicted heavy casualties on the attacking Russians.
The Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, located on the frontline of the conflict with pro-Moscow separatists, has been left in ruins as Russia intensifies its assault. Most of the city's residents have already fled, but around 1,600 people remain, relying on the White Angels unit to evacuate them to safety. The city's infrastructure has been decimated, with buildings destroyed and supply lines disrupted. Despite the destruction, the Ukrainian military continues to hold the line, inflicting losses on the Russian forces. Avdiivka's hospital is still operational but lacks the resources to provide advanced care. The situation remains tense, with constant shelling and small arms battles.