Despite significant losses, the Russian army is making territorial gains near Avdiivka, which poses a serious threat to the Ukrainian defenders of the city. This is reported by the Financial Times, analyzing the situation on this segment of the front.
"Russia's gains have been modest in the last two weeks and have cost a lot of money, but the problem is that Russia controls the flanks of the city. Even a small advance of one or two kilometers from the flanks can make it difficult to secure the city," explained the authoritative military analyst, senior researcher at the US Institute for Foreign Policy Studies, Rob Lee.
According to another well-known analyst, the director of the Polish consulting company Rochan Consulting, Konrad Muziki, Russia's main goal in Avdiivka was to gain access to the M-04 route and restore train traffic on the Yasinuvata-Donetsk railway line, which was severed in 2014. This could open up another way for Russia to supply its troops in the south. Unnamed officers from the 59th brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a comment to The New York Times that Ukraine could lose Avdiivka due to heavy fire pressure from Russia, as happened with Bakhmut.
"It is possible if we run out of men and ammunition," said the officer with the call sign "Bardak".
However, there are many optimists among the soldiers defending Avdiivka. Thus, according to the commander with the call sign "Condor", the achievements achieved by the Russians in recent weeks cost them dearly.
"If the tactics they are using were successful, we would not be here and talking to you now," he emphasized.
