The Ukrainian army has published a video showing the firing of Russian combat vehicles taking part in operations near Avdiivka in the Donetsk Oblast. The footage shows at least several machines being destroyed.
The recording was published on Thursday by the 47th Independent Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian army, it was carried out near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region. Reuters was unable to confirm the location and date of the recording.
The footage captured from the drone shows a column of Russian combat vehicles coming under Ukrainian fire. At least several machines are destroyed.
A Russian combat vehicle hit by Ukrainians near AvdiivkaReuters/47th Separate Mechanized
Battles near Avdiivka Reuters/47th Separate Mechanized
Fights for Avdiivka
In recent weeks, Russian forces have launched a new offensive in the Avdiivka area. The Russians are trying to surround this strongly fortified town, but – according to the Ukrainian side – they suffer heavy losses.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in conversation with the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the end of October he reported that “at the moment” the Russians had lost about 4,000 soldiers at Avdiivka.
Oleksandr Shtupun, spokesman for the Ukrainian forces in the Tauride direction, i.e. in the Zaporozhye Oblast and the western part of the Donetsk Oblast, said that since October 10, Russian forces have lost 5,000 soldiers and 400 armored vehicles near Avdiivka and Marjinka. Satellite photos confirmed that the Russian army lost at least 109 combat vehicles, mainly armored vehicles and tanks, near Avdiivka.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the recent losses at Avdiivka will most likely lead to an even greater shortage of equipment and undermine the progress that the Russian army has made in solving the problem of the reduced capacity to conduct maneuvers using mechanized equipment.
Main photo source: Reuters/47th Separate Mechanized