Ukrainian and Russian troops are engaged
in “fierce fighting”
in Avdiivka, a town in eastern Ukraine, a senior Ukrainian military commander said on Friday.
This announcement comes the day after statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who assured that Kiev was doing
“everything possible”
to save its struggling troops on the eastern front, particularly in the town of Avdiïvka, where the situation is described as
“critical”
.
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“In accordance with the decision taken, the planned reinforcement of units is underway and the troops are maneuvering on threatened axes
,” the Ukrainian army declared on social networks.
“The Ukrainian defenders continue to push back the enemy who is trying to surround Avdiivka (...) the Ukrainian soldiers are holding on
,” added the army.
“Heavy fighting is taking place in the city
,” Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, Ukraine's top commander in charge of forces in the country's east, said on social media.
“Our troops are using all available forces and means to contain the enemy
,” he added.
“Difficult but under control”
Ukrainian forces are establishing new defensive positions around Avdiivka, with the army also signaling a possible withdrawal in the face of waves of Russian attacks.
“New positions have been established and powerful fortifications continue to be installed, taking into account all possible scenarios
,” added Commander Tarnavskiy.
He stressed that Kiev's priority is to protect its troops:
"We value every piece of Ukrainian territory, but the greatest value and priority for us is to preserve the life of every Ukrainian soldier
. "
Describing the situation in Avdiivka as
“difficult but under control
,” he added that his commanders had been tasked with
“stabilizing the situation
. ”
In this Donbass city ravaged by fighting, the position of the Ukrainian defenders is increasingly precarious in the face of Russian forces who have been on the offensive since October.
The fall of Avdiivka would be an important symbolic victory for Russia.