The Russians are preparing for the “third series of large attacks near Avdiivka” and the “third massive assault” on this city – forecast analysts of the American Institute for the Study of War. The target of offensive actions is the coking plant of oligarch Rinat Akhmetov.
On Friday, Russian troops continued offensive operations near Avdiivka and achieved confirmed successes on the northern flank, the Institute for War Studies (ISW) reported in its latest analysis. Geolocation data released that day shows that Russian troops advanced southwest from the village of Krasnohorivka (four kilometers north of Avdiivka) to the railway line, the think tank said.
17 attacks repelled near Avdiivka
According to reports from the General Staff in Kiev, Ukrainian troops continue to resist the Russian offensive near Avdiivka. Over the last 24 hours, they repelled over 17 Russian attacks near the villages of Stepowe (three kilometers north of this city), Piwnnech (six kilometers west of Avdiivka), Tonenka (seven kilometers west) and Pervomaisky (11 kilometers southwest).
Oleksandr Shtupun, spokesman for the Ukrainian forces in the Taurid region (in the Zaporizhia Oblast and the western part of the Donetsk Oblast), previously announced that Ukrainian troops expect a “deterioration of the situation” in the area.
Coking plant targeted for offensive operations
Ukrainian military observers reported that soldiers of the occupation forces were “quickly building fortifications in the rear,” near the areas of the intended offensive, in order to be able to bring in reserves more quickly.
A report by the Institute for the Study of War said that, according to forecasts by Ukrainian officials, Russian forces were preparing for a “third series of major attacks” near Avdiivka. The mayor of this city, Vitaly Barabash, said that the Russians are concentrating soldiers and equipment for the “third massive assault” on Avdiivka and will probably concentrate their offensive activities around the coking plant (belonging to the oligarch Rinat Akhmetov – ed.).
After the downpours
ISW quotes a Russian war blogger who reported that Russian troops near Avdiivka were carrying out a tactical regrouping and who stated that the coke plant was to be the target of future Russian offensive actions.
Vitaly Barabash predicts that Russian forces will resume major offensive operations once the ground near Avdiivka dries out after several recent downpours.
Main photo source: Sergei Aksionov/Telegram