Russian troops prepare for large-scale offensive: Experts name signs
Russian military (Getty Images)
Currently, Russian aggressors are gearing up for a massive onslaught, not only in Avdiivka but also in other directions on the Donetsk front, citing RBC-Ukraine's piece "Avdiivka and Bakhmut situation, possibility of Russian advance on Kupiansk: Frontline overview."
The situation in the Avdiivka region remains complex. Failures on the ground are forcing occupiers to change tactics. Indeed, the Russians have decided to take the city from the air.
As previously reported by the Chief of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, Vadym Filashkin, in just two weeks of 2024, invaders dropped around 250 aerial bombs on Avdiivka. This means the adversary is simply exploiting its advantage in the air.
Military expert Vladyslav Seleznov emphasizes that the intensity of air strikes is increasing not only in Avdiivka. Every day, at least 130 guided bombs are dropped on our defenders.
"Preparations for a large-scale offensive are underway. They are trying to weaken our defenders as much as possible, to destroy logistics routes and defensive lines. To attack with the forces they have brought to the front: more than 460,000 people - this is a lot, twice as many as at the beginning of the invasion," the expert says.
On the Mariupol direction in particular, occupiers seem to have identified their priority target. As reported earlier by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russians are attempting to enter Novomykhailivka and are carrying out up to 50 attacks there on average per day.
As military expert Oleksandr Musiienko pointed out, after Mariupol, invaders essentially have two options. The first is to try to move west towards Kurakhove, but this is a risky move as supply lines will stretch, and our forces can block them.
"That is why there is a movement to the south, to Novomykhailivka. Perhaps they are trying to move east of Vuhledar to unite with the group in Maryinka, using small tick tactics, as they did near Bakhmut or now in Avdiivka, and create a new environment. This seems to be the most likely scenario," the expert added.
Russian offensive on Avdiivka
Russian occupiers intensified fighting in the Avdiivka region at the beginning of October. This offensive is considered the most extensive since 2014.
In mid-December, according to White House data, Russian terrorists suffered over 13,000 losses along the Avdiivka-Novopavlivka front. Ukrainian soldiers destroyed over 220 combat vehicles.
As previously mentioned by the head of the Avdiivka city military administration, Vitalii Barabash, logistics remains the biggest challenge for the city. Food and other necessary items are brought in only through one dangerous route.
Read more about the possibility of a breakthrough by the Russians in the frontline in the event of capturing Avdiivka in the RBC-Ukraine article.
