Ukrainian forces strengthening defense west of Avdiivka, military says
Illustrative photo (Photo: Getty Images)
The Ukrainian military is strengthening defense in the Avdiivka direction. This includes the defense of settlements located to the west of Avdiivka, according to Brigadier General, Commander of the Tavria operational-strategic group, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi.
"In the Avdiivka direction, we are strengthening the defensive line, organizing the defense of settlements west of Avdiivka to prevent further Russian advancement and inflict maximum losses," he said.
Enemy attacks
In the operational zone of the Tavria operational-strategic group, the enemy is increasing the number of air strikes (45 in the past day) and assaults (72 engagements - the highest in the past two weeks). Additionally, the aggressor conducted 897 artillery shelling and 83 drone kamikaze strikes.
"Just in the Maryinka direction, the enemy attempted to breach our troops' defense 40 times. Near Avdiivka - 25 times, and near Zaporizhzhia - 6 times," added the general.
Russian losses in the Tavria direction
Throughout the operational zone of the Tavria operational-strategic group, the total losses of the enemy (killed and wounded) yesterday amounted to 447 individuals. The vast majority of them were in the Donetsk region and near Avdiivka.
The enemy's losses in equipment and military vehicles totaled 62 units, not including 266 UAVs. Specifically, 13 tanks, 32 armored personnel carriers, 2 artillery systems, and 15 vehicles were destroyed or damaged. Additionally, an enemy ammunition depot was destroyed.
Frontline situation
On February 26, the Armed Forces of Ukraine withdrew from the village of Lastochkyne in the Donetsk region, located 6 km from Avdiivka. Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that the Ukrainian Defense Forces had withdrawn to the western outskirts of Lastochkyne.
Overall, Ukrainian forces repelled 25 enemy attacks in the Avdiivka direction, held positions, and repulsed assaults by occupation forces in the Kherson direction. Aviation struck 2 enemy air defense missile systems.
Additionally, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War, over the past week, Russian forces advanced west of Kreminna near Yampolivka and Terny. According to preliminary information, the Ukrainian Armed Forces regained some positions near Solodke (southwest of Donetsk).
