Bombed-out buildings and destroyed equipment: British MoD releases video from Avdiivka
The Ministry of Defence of Britain showed what Avdiivka looks like now (Screenshot from a video)
In Avdiivka, the Donetsk region, numerous residential buildings have been completely destroyed due to shelling and attacks by Russian occupiers, leaving huge craters in the yards from enemy bombardments. The city is gradually turning into ruins, according to the Twitter (X) of the Ministry of Defence of Great Britain.
The British Defense Ministry has released a video from Avdiivka, displaying the aftermath of Russian shelling. The footage also shows damaged military equipment of Russian forces, including a tank that overturned from a bridge over a water body, now lying on its side in a ravine.
According to the British Ministry of Defense, due to Russian intervention attempts to seize Avdiivka, the losses among the occupying forces nearly doubled.
"This is Avdiivka. In 2022, Russia planned to seize the town, and the entire Donbas, in just 10-14 days. Instead, recent assaults have resulted in a 90% increase in Russian casualties," the footage is captioned.
This is Avdiivka.
— Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) December 7, 2023
In 2022, Russia planned to seize the town, and the entire Donbas, in just 10-14 days.
Instead, recent assaults have resulted in a 90% increase in Russian casualties.
#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/XBUulr7JAx
Fighting for Avdiivka intensified
Russian troops significantly increased combat operations in the area at the beginning of October. This offensive is regarded as the most extensive since 2014.
As previously stated by the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the occupiers suffered at least 10,000 casualties in the battles for Avdiivka. President Volodymyr Zelenskyi noted that Russian losses in the Avdiivka area were greater than those in Bakhmut.
Ukrainian military explained that Russian forces would not be able to seize Avdiivka unless they gained control of the territory around the Avdiivka coke and chemical plant. Russian propagandists claimed success in the coke-chemical industry in late November and early December. However, on December 3, soldiers from the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade refuted rumors of any advancement by the occupiers in the territory of this plant, confirming that it remained under Ukrainian control.
Presently, intense battles persist across the Avdiivka front, with particular attention from Russian occupiers directed toward Stepove, situated northwest of the city. The invaders aim to capture it to disrupt the logistics of the Defense Forces.
Reserve Major of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksii Hetman has stated in a conversation with RBC-Ukraine that the Russians have a deadline for seizing Avdiivka. The anticipated target set by the occupiers is mid-December.
