Avdiivka soon to become 'another Bakhmut' if no aid received: UAF
4 Min Read
A spokesperson for Ukraine’s Tavria operational group warned that without adequate funding and personnel, Avdiivka in the Donetsk People's Republic become another Bakhmut.
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Screen Grab from a video posted on Russian Telegram channels depicting soldiers raising a flag in the central park of Avdiivka on February 16, 2024 (Social Media)
Spokesperson for Ukraine’s Tavria operational group Dmytro Lykhoviy warned on Friday that unless Ukrainian armed forces are provided sufficient funding and personnel, the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk People's Republic risks becoming "another Bakhmut."
"Many settlements west of Avdiivka could become another Mariupol, another Bakhmut, and another Bucha if Ukrainians do not join the armed forces and support the mobilization, donate to the Ukrainian military," Lykhoviy told RBC-Ukraine.
Lykhoviy added that it is crucial for Ukraine to maintain control over Avdiivka to prevent further movement of Russian forces.
Pictures and videos of Russian troops in the center of the city are currently being circulated on social media.
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Dear friends, I am at the frontlines now. The Russians are likely to initiate a breakthrough in our direction after Avdiivka. Our unit needs two thermal imagers, costing a total of 3,000 euros. I would be grateful if you could help.
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Earlier in the day, Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the Tavria Joint Forces Operation, announced that Ukrainian troops had withdrawn from their positions in the southern part of Avdiivka, reporting casualties.
"Ukrainian units have withdrawn from the position on the southern outskirts of Avdiivka with minor losses. In other threatening directions, a maneuver will be carried out to move to new prepared positions, if necessary," Ukrainian information agency Ukrinform quoted Tarnavskyi as saying.
Tarnavskyi likewise confirmed the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Zenit position on the southeastern outskirts of Avdiivka, as per a report by Strana.ua.
Read more: Ukrainian troops in Avdiivka almost fully encircled, Russians advance
The battle of Avdiivka has been raging for a few months, as the city represents one of the most important strongholds in the Donbass Ukrainian forces' defensive line.
Ukrainian soldiers in Avdiivka could be facing imminent siege, as the Russians are currently pushing for a full encirclement of the strategic city, held by Ukraine since 2014.
The Russian authorities claimed multiple times that rocket and artillery attacks on civilians in the city of Donetsk came from the direction of Avdiivka.
Recent footage circulated on social media showed soldiers of the 114th brigade of the Russian Armed Forces put a Soviet flag with a hammer and sickle on a stele at the western entrance to Avdiivka, where Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky had recently taken a photo.
🇷🇺🇺🇦⚡️ Soldiers of the 114th brigade of the Russian Armed Forces hung a red flag with a hammer and sickle at the western entrance to Avdiivka, where Zelenskyy had recently taken a photo. pic.twitter.com/EW8gh8XgGh
— War Watch (@WarWatchs) February 16, 2024
Earlier, a US Pentagon official told a press briefing that the US was closely monitoring the situation in Avdiivka.
"We are watching Avdiivka very closely, and we do see that Ukrainians are running short on critical supplies, particularly ammunition, and we see this as something that could be the harbinger of what is to come," the official said.
It is worth noting that a few weeks ago, Russian troops partially captured the city of Vuhledar, a direction within the Donetsk sector that holds strategic importance with Avdiivka and Marinka.
"By taking Vuhledar, we can cut off the ammunition supply in this direction, as it is precisely from where [Ukrainian troops] strike at Donetsk. In addition, it will be possible to inflict both frontal and flanking attacks already from Vuhledar," advisor to the DPR's acting head, Yan Gagin said on January 26.
Russian victory on the horizon
Russian military operations in the Donetsk region which have been ongoing for several months to seize control of Avdiivka and other territories appear to be coming to fruition.
The city has served as a key stronghold for Ukrainian forces as they continue to launch whatever remains of their artillery and rocket shells on nearby Donetsk city and its suburbs.
The Ukrainian army has heavily fortified Avdiivka since 2015 by constructing deep underground bunkers and passageways with concrete walls up to five meters thick. Observers say the fortifications indicated a clear lack of intention to fulfill the Minsk peace agreement of 2015.
The capture of Avdiivka and adjacent territories could potentially ease the ongoing shelling of Donetsk, but the battle also extends to other settlements west of Donetsk, including Maryinka, Krasnogorovka, Karlivka, and Kurakhovo.
Some assimilate the battle for Avdiivka to the previous months-long battle for control of Bakhmut, which ended in a Russian victory in May last year.
According to The Guardian, Avdiivka's mayor, Vitaliy Barabash, reported that 923 civilians remain in the city, a significant decrease from its prewar population of about 32,000. The majority are elderly residents who have chosen to stay despite intensified fighting in recent months, with no viable option for evacuation.
