Ukrainian troops in Avdiivka almost fully encircled, Russians advance
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Ukrainian troops in Avdiivka are experiencing a severe shortage of ammunition, which could indicate the imminent collapse of their defensive line against advancing Russian forces.
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Soviet flag with a hammer and sickle on a stele at the western entrance to Avdiivka (left), where Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky had recently taken a photo (right)
Sputnik reported on Friday, citing a US Pentagon official, that Ukrainian troops in Avdiivka are facing a severe shortage of ammunition, potentially signaling the impending collapse of this defensive line against advancing Russian forces.
"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 during a press briefing.
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.
❗️🇷🇺🇺🇦 Battle for Avdiivka
— Rybar Force (@rybar_force) February 16, 2024
4.30pm, February 16, 2024
Ukrainian forces continue withdrawing from the positions in the south and northwest of the city.
The reports about the Russian Armed Forces' control over the Cheburashka fortification on the outskirts of the Donetsk Ring Road… pic.twitter.com/53FSQ6wYVq
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General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the Tavria Joint Forces Operation, announced that Ukrainian troops had withdrawn from their positions in the southern part of Avdiivka, reporting casualties.
🇺🇦🇷🇺🚨‼️ AVDEEVKA: 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 Zelensky had recently taken a photo. pic.twitter.com/aclJXRk5zT
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) February 16, 2024
"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.
According to a report by Ukrainian Strana.ua, Tarnavskyi likewise confirmed the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Zenit position on the southeastern outskirts of Avdiivka.
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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.
On Thursday, National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby stated that the situation in Avdiivka is critical, and warned that the city may fall under Russian control due to the Ukraine's ammo shortage.
Russian victory on the horizon
Russian military operations in the Donetsk region which have been ongoing for several months to seize control of Avdiivka 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.
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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.
