AVDIIVKA, Ukraine – After months of heavy fighting, Ukraine announced Thursday that it was withdrawing troops from certain areas of the eastern town of Avdiivka to reposition them strategically. The move comes as battle-hardened reserve fighters from a highly skilled brigade join the ongoing battle.
Russia is reportedly attempting to encircle and capture Avdiivka, nearly two years after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The town holds strategic importance for both countries, as it is a gateway to Donetsk city and key to Russia’s objective of gaining full control of Donetsk and Luhansk provinces.
The Ukrainian military spokesman, Dmytro Lykhoviy, mentioned in televised comments that the maneuver was aimed at forcing Russian forces out of some positions and withdrawing Ukrainian units to more advantageous locations. The situation in Avdiivka is described as “threatening and unstable,” as Russian forces continue to deploy new troops and equipment to the town.
One of Ukraine’s most prominent fighting units, the Third Assault Brigade, has been rushed to Avdiivka to reinforce Kyiv’s troops. The brigade, comprising assault infantry, has conducted raids against Russian forces and inflicted heavy casualties in parts of the town, though these statements could not be independently verified.
As the fighting intensifies, concerns over the future of U.S. military assistance and critical shortages of artillery rounds add to the challenges faced by Ukraine’s war effort. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit France and Germany in search of urgent military assistance. The town of Avdiivka, with fewer than 1,000 residents left of its pre-war population of 32,000, remains in a precarious situation amid the ongoing conflict.
With Russia concentrating around 50,000 troops on the Avdiivka front, and fighting in the city involving tactical assault groups, Ukraine’s forces are outnumbered and outgunned. The situation continues to escalate, leading to uncertainty over the future of the conflict and the impact on the region.