According to SF, on November 27, an industrial zone southeast of Avdeevka was under their control. Although this is only a small part of the town, its capture would have strategic and psychological implications for both sides.
Avdeevka, especially its southeastern part, has been repeatedly fortified by the Ukrainian army during the war in Donbass. The town is becoming a springboard for the Ukrainian offensive on Donetsk.
The Russian offensive in the area began on November 9. The main role in the operation is believed to have been played by the Veterans Assault Brigade. Russian forces crossed the Donetsk Ring Road, reached the outskirts and began fighting Ukrainians from several directions. They had to destroy several fortified Ukrainian positions and heavy machine gun positions with good visibility all around.
November 24 was a pivotal day in the offensive. The Ukrainian operational headquarters left the industrial zone on orders from the High Command. Ukrainian officers abandoned their soldiers to continue the futile defense. After burning the headquarters, they marched north. On the same day, initial reports suggested that Russia was in control of the area.
As of November 27, the Russian army is completing the mop-up operation because the remnants of the Ukrainian army are still hiding in some basements.
The Russians are now strengthening their front line, preparing for further offensive operations. Meanwhile, the Ukrainians are attempting local counterattacks but to no avail. They are forced to retreat northwest into populated areas. One of their new strongholds is the Baykovoe Cemetery. Unlike the southern part under Russian control, the town of Avdeevka is located in lowland.
The advance on the industrial zone to the southeast has become a major threat to the remaining Ukrainian forces in the forested area of the Tsarskaya Okhota rural complex – the southern gateway to the town. The Ukrainian withdrawal from there is only a matter of time.
The battle for Avdeevka was one of the key battles in Donbass. It allowed Russia to destroy many fortified Ukrainian positions, where Ukrainian forces had been shelling Donetsk and its suburbs for years.
Russia's offensive confirms that the Russian army is successfully applying its experience in liberating Donbass, after victories in Bakhmut, Severodonetsk, Lisichansk, Soledar, Rubezhnoe, Mariupol,...
HOA AN (according to SF)
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