Russians have deadline to capture Avdiivka: Expert explains
Russians have deadline to capture Avdiivka (Photo: Getty Images)
Last week, Russians sharply intensified assaults on Avdiivka in the Donetsk region. The occupiers' deadline for capturing the city is mid-December, reported in the material by RBC-Ukraine, "Russian offensives in Donbas and Ukrainian maneuvers near Kherson: Frontline developments at winter's onset."
According to Ukrainian Armed Forces Reserve Major Oleksii Hetman, Russian occupiers are in a hurry to achieve some success on the front by mid-December. The invaders prioritized Avdiivka, as approximately 40,000 Russian military personnel were concentrated there.
"This is about five times more than our garrison. Why is there such a deadline? That's when Vladimir Putin is supposed to announce that he will run for president, although we all know who will be elected. It will be 90 days before the election, which is scheduled for March 15 or 17," noted the expert.
According to Hetman, Putin needs positive news from the front, so without sparing personnel, Russians will try to achieve success in Avdiivka.
Battles for Avdiivka
Russian occupiers intensified fighting in the Avdiivka area at the beginning of October. This offensive is considered the most extensive since 2014.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi stated that the occupiers lost at least 10,000 soldiers in battles for Avdiivka. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Russian losses in the Avdiivka region are more significant than in Bakhmut.
Ukrainian military explained that the occupiers would not be able to capture Avdiivka if they did not "take" the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant territory.
Intense battles are ongoing along the entire front line in the Avdiivka area, but Russian occupiers pay particular attention to Stepove, which is northwest of the city. Invaders want to capture it to cut off the logistics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
